Submission to the Authorities
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. Rom 13:4
is the minister... Greek: diakonos, deacon or servant of the law (see, Mat. 20:26).
he beareth not... God has delegated authority to defend the good and punish evil, even with capital punishment if required.
This is saying that if we have broken the law, we can expect to be punished. If we speed and are caught, we will probably pay a fine. Other sins require other punishment, but you can be sure God has marked it down for later review.
Speaking of the sword symbolizes the government’s right to inflict punishment on those who do wrong, especially capital punishment.
In the Old Testament when someone was murdered, the closest relative went out and found the criminal and killed him. Swift justice, wouldn’t you say?
Num. 35:19 “The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.”
Furthermore, a civil leader is God’s servant, a concept often forgotten today. By commending those who do right (Rom. 13:3), a civil leader himself does good (Rom. 13:4). But on the other hand he bears arms (the sword) as God’s servant (the second time in this verse Paul referred to the ruler this way; cf. Rom. 13:6), as an agent of wrath. Governmental force, properly used, helps prevent tyranny and executes justice; it brings punishment on the wrongdoer.
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