Romans 13:3 “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want t…”

Romans 13:3

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

World English Bible

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,

American Standard Version

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:

Geneva Bible 1599

For Magistrates are not to be feared for good workes, but for euill. Wilt thou then bee without feare of the power? doe well: so shalt thou haue praise of the same.

Darby Translation

For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil [one]. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise [what is] good, and thou shalt have praise from it;

Young's Literal Translation

For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it,

Bible in Basic English

For rulers are not a cause of fear to the good work but to the evil. If you would have no fear of the authority, do good and you will have praise;

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Cross references

“rulers”

Ecclesiastes 10:4–6 Proverbs 14:35 Proverbs 20:2 Deuteronomy 25:1 Jeremiah 22:15–18 Romans 13:4

Ecclesiastes 10:4–6 · BSB

If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Proverbs 14:35 · BSB

A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

Proverbs 20:2 · BSB

The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.

Deuteronomy 25:1 · BSB

If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.

Jeremiah 22:15–18 · BSB

Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.

Romans 13:4 · BSB

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

“Wilt”

1 Peter 2:13 1 Peter 2:14 1 Peter 3:13 1 Peter 3:14

1 Peter 2:13 · BSB

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,

1 Peter 2:14 · BSB

or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

1 Peter 3:13 · BSB

Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

1 Peter 3:14 · BSB

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

4For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

Read Romans 13