Romans 13:4 “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid,…”

Romans 13:4

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

World English Bible

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

American Standard Version

for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.

Geneva Bible 1599

For he is ye minister of God for thy wealth, but if thou do euill, feare: for he beareth not the sworde for nought: for he is the minister of God to take vengeance on him that doeth euill.

Darby Translation

for it is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil.

Young's Literal Translation

for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.

Bible in Basic English

For he is the servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, have fear; for the sword is not in his hand for nothing: he is God's servant, making God's punishment come on the evil-doer.

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Cross references

“he is”

2 Chronicles 19:6 Romans 13:6 Psalm 82:2–4 Isaiah 1:17 Jeremiah 5:28 Ezekiel 22:27

2 Chronicles 19:6 · BSB

Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.

Romans 13:6 · BSB

This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

Psalm 82:2–4 · BSB

“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

Isaiah 1:17 · BSB

Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Jeremiah 5:28 · BSB

They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Ezekiel 22:27 · BSB

Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

“be”

Proverbs 16:14 Proverbs 20:2 Proverbs 20:8 Proverbs 20:26

Proverbs 16:14 · BSB

The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 20:2 · BSB

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

Proverbs 20:8 · BSB

A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

Proverbs 20:26 · BSB

A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

“revenger”

Romans 12:19 Ezekiel 25:14 Numbers 35:19–27 Joshua 20:9 Joshua 20:5

Romans 12:19 · BSB

Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Ezekiel 25:14 · BSB

I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Numbers 35:19–27 · BSB

The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him.

Joshua 20:9 · BSB

These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood prior to standing trial be…

Joshua 20:5 · BSB

Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice.

Also

1 Thessalonians 4:6

1 Thessalonians 4:6 · BSB

and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.

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

In context

3For 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.

5Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

Read Romans 13