Romans Chapter 13 verse 4 Holy Bible

ASV Romans 13:4

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.
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BBE Romans 13:4

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.
read chapter 13 in BBE

DARBY Romans 13:4

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.
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KJV Romans 13:4

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.
read chapter 13 in KJV

WBT Romans 13:4


read chapter 13 in WBT

WEB Romans 13:4

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 minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
read chapter 13 in WEB

YLT Romans 13:4

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.
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Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) The sword.--Not apparently the dagger worn by the Roman emperors, but, in a strict sense, "the sword." "To bear the sword" seems to be a recognised Greek phrase to express the power of the magistrates. It was carried before them in processions, and on other important occasions.It is clear from this passage that capital punishment is sanctioned by Scripture. At the same time its abolition is not excluded, as the abolition of slavery was not excluded, if the gradual development of Christian principle should seem to demand it. Whether or not capital punishment ought to be abolished, is a question for jurists, publicists, and statesmen. The theologian, as such, has no decision to give either way.Parallel Commentaries ...GreekForγὰρ (gar)ConjunctionStrong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.he isἐστιν (estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person SingularStrong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.God’sΘεοῦ (Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine SingularStrong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.servantδιάκονός (diakonos)Noun - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.forεἰς (eis)PrepositionStrong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.yourσοὶ (soi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person SingularStrong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.good.ἀγαθόν (agathon)Adjective - Accusative Neuter SingularStrong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.Butδὲ (de)ConjunctionStrong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.ifἐὰν (ean)ConjunctionStrong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.you doποιῇς (poiēs)Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person SingularStrong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.wrong,κακὸν (kakon)Adjective - Accusative Neuter SingularStrong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.be afraid,φοβοῦ (phobou)Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person SingularStrong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.forγὰρ (gar)ConjunctionStrong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.he does not carryφορεῖ (phorei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person SingularStrong's 5409: To carry, wear, bear constantly. From phoros; to have a burden, i.e. to wear as clothing or a constant accompaniment.theτὴν (tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine SingularStrong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.swordμάχαιραν (machairan)Noun - Accusative Feminine SingularStrong's 3162: A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.in vain.εἰκῇ (eikē)AdverbStrong's 1500: Without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing. Probably from eiko; idly, i.e. Without reason.He isἐστιν (estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person SingularStrong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.God’sΘεοῦ (Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine SingularStrong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.servant,διάκονός (diakonos)Noun - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.an agentἔκδικος (ekdikos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 1558: From ek and dike; carrying justice out, i.e. A punisher.ofεἰς (eis)PrepositionStrong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.retributionὀργὴν (orgēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine SingularStrong's 3709: From oregomai; properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment.to theτῷ (tō)Article - Dative Masculine SingularStrong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.wrongdoer.κακὸν (kakon)Adjective - Accusative Neuter SingularStrong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.Jump to PreviousAdministrator Afraid Agent Avenger Bear Beareth Benefit Evil Evil-Doer Evil-Doers Execute Fear Fearing God's Good Hand Inflict Making Mayest Minister Ministrant Practices Punishment Purpose Revenger Servant Sword Vain Wear Wrath Wrong Wrongdoer