Romans 13:4
Strong's Lexicon
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's Greek 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

he is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's Greek 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's Greek 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

servant
διάκονός (diakonos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's Greek 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's Greek 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

your
σοὶ (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's Greek 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

good.
ἀγαθόν (agathon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's Greek 18: A primary word; 'good'.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's Greek 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's Greek 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

you do
ποιῇς (poiēs)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's Greek 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 Singular
Strong's Greek 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 Singular
Strong's Greek 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's Greek 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

he does not carry
φορεῖ (phorei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's Greek 5409: To carry, wear, bear constantly. From phoros; to have a burden, i.e. to wear as clothing or a constant accompaniment.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's Greek 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sword
μάχαιραν (machairan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's Greek 3162: A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.

in vain.
εἰκῇ (eikē)
Adverb
Strong's Greek 1500: Without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing. Probably from eiko; idly, i.e. Without reason.

He is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's Greek 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's Greek 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

servant,
διάκονός (diakonos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's Greek 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.

an agent
ἔκδικος (ekdikos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's Greek 1558: From ek and dike; carrying justice out, i.e. A punisher.

of
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's Greek 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

retribution
ὀργὴν (orgēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's Greek 3709: From oregomai; properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment.

to the
τῷ ()
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's Greek 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 Singular
Strong's Greek 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

Parallel Strong's
Berean Study Bible
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.

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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

New American Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid {5737}; 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.
Parallel Verses
New International Version
For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

New Living Translation
The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

English Standard Version
for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

New American Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For government is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

International Standard Version
For they are God's servants, working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God's servants to administer punishment to anyone who does wrong.

NET Bible
for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God's servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.

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.

English Revised 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.

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.
















Cross References
1 Thessalonians 4:6
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

1 Peter 2:14
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Romans 13:3
For 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:

Romans 13:2
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Romans 13:1
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 13:5
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Romans 13:6
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Romans 13:7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Jump to Previous
Administrator 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
Jump to Next
Administrator 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
Links
Romans 13:4 NIV
Romans 13:4 NLT
Romans 13:4 ESV
Romans 13:4 NASB
Romans 13:4 KJV

Romans 13:4 Bible Apps
Romans 13:4 Parallel
Romans 13:4 Biblia Paralela
Romans 13:4 Chinese Bible
Romans 13:4 French Bible
Romans 13:4 German Bible

Romans 13:4 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Romans 13:3
Top of Page
Top of Page