Romans
King James Version (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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 13:4 Context
1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For 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: 4For 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. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
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Other Translations
For hee is the minister of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is euill, be afraid: for he beareth not the sword in vaine: for he is the minister of God, a reuenger to execute wrath vpon him that doeth euill.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
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.
- American Standard Version (1901)
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.
- Basic English Bible
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.
- Darby Bible
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
- Webster's Bible
For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers.
- Weymouth 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.
- World English Bible
for he is the mynystre of God to thee in to good. But if thou doist yuel, drede thou; for not with outen cause he berith the swerd, for he is the mynystre of God, vengere in to wraththe to hym that doith yuel.
- Wycliffe Bible
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.
- Youngs Literal Bible
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
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.
- American Standard Version (1901)
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.
- Basic English Bible
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.
- Darby Bible
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
- Webster's Bible
For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers.
- Weymouth 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.
- World English Bible
for he is the mynystre of God to thee in to good. But if thou doist yuel, drede thou; for not with outen cause he berith the swerd, for he is the mynystre of God, vengere in to wraththe to hym that doith yuel.
- Wycliffe Bible
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.
- Youngs Literal Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for Romans 13:4
13:4 The sword - The instrument of capital punishment, which God authorizes him to inflict.
People's Bible Notes for Romans 13:4
Ro 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. The ruler, the guardian of order and the preserver of peace is, as a rule, a blessing. He beareth not the sword in vain. Not only did the magistrate wear the sword, but one was borne before him in public processions as an emblem of his right to use it in the interests of order and justice.
Discussion for Romans 13
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3 weeks AgoSteveWe see in Romans 13 that God has placed those in authority for His reasons.We are so blessed here in America that whether we agree or not, we can still express our opinions...peacefully. We are to get along with our neighbors and help when possible.,The night is far spent, we will see Jesus soon. Come quickly Lord Jesus.Flag
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2 months AgoPeter A. OkebukolaEternal truths- Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.Flag
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3 months AgoRay321Romans 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. If we speak the truth about the Word and someone bring evil to us, God have mercy on them. Hebrews 4:12 THE WORD OF GODFlag
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3 months AgoA discipleHAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE! May the Lord have mercy on us all!Flag
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5 months AgoA dsicipleLu2677; This is a VERY important subject so applicable for us today. Many are turned aside from the commandments of the Saviour by hearkening to voices in the world, which say we must stand and fight for our rights. With respect to the Military and the Police, that's there job by God's appointment. But for us as individuals, we follow Jesus' example of love, piety, faith and meekness toward all.Flag
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5 months AgoLu2677Roman 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (government).For there are no powers but of God,(our government is put in place by God).The powers that be, are ordained by God." This chapter is telling us to give honor,give tribute,love,submit,owe nothing to government officials. Regardless of what they do. His word stands!Flag