Romans 13:4
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
he beareth not the sword in vain--that is, the symbol of the magistrate's authority to punish.
Open source ↗There are three good lessons taught us in this chapter, where the apostle enlarges more upon his precepts than he had done in the foregoing chapter, finding them more needful to be fully pressed. I. A lesson of subjection to lawful authority (Rom 13:1-6). II. A lesson of justice and love to our brethren (Rom 13:7-10). III. A lesson of sobriety and godliness in ourselves (Rom 13:11 to the end).
Open source ↗13:4 servants (Greek diakonos): The New Testament usually reserves this word to describe Christians who serve God in various capacities. However, it was also used in secular Greek to refer to a civic official. Whether they know it or not, governing authorities are serving God when they administer justice. • they have the power to punish you (literally they do not bear the sword in vain): The sword might simply be a metaphor for punishment of any kind, but some interpreters believe it suggests that human governments, under God’s authority, have the right to carry out capital punishment.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
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.”
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.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.
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.
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
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.’
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.
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.