Font Size
Romans 13:3-5
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Romans 13:3-5
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Rulers are God’s Servants To Reward Good And Punish Evil
3 For the rulers are not a fear to good work, but to evil[a]. Now do you want to not be fearing the authority? Be doing good, and you will have praise[b] from him[c]— 4 for he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you are doing evil, be fearing! For he does not bear[d] the sword in-vain[e]— for he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath on the one practicing evil. 5 Therefore it is a necessity to be subject— not only because of the wrath[f], but also because of the conscience.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Romans 13:3 That is, civil evil, crime.
- Romans 13:3 This is the general rule. Paul does not deal here with exceptions. Paul himself was persecuted for doing good, for proclaiming the gospel.
- Romans 13:3 Or, it, the authority.
- Romans 13:4 Or, wear.
- Romans 13:4 That is, for no purpose. Governments have God’s authority to punish evil to the fullest extent, including death, and they serve God’s purposes in doing so. Governments exercise this authority through the police, the courts, and the military, in ways and means and degrees of their own choosing.
- Romans 13:5 We submit out of fear of God’s wrath expressed through government, and our own conscience toward God. Usually these are in agreement. In exceptional cases, which Paul does not address here, the conscience must be followed in spite of the threats from government.
Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) 
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Bible Gateway Recommends
Retail: $40.00
Our Price: $36.00
Save: $4.00 (10%)
Retail: $30.00
Our Price: $27.00
Save: $3.00 (10%)