Romans 13:3 BSB — MannaFest

Romans 13:3

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:

KJV

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:

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Commentary

4 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

For rulers - The apostle here speaks of rulers “in general.” It may not be “universally” true that they are not a terror to good works, for many of them have “persecuted” the good; but it is generally true that they who are virtuous have nothing to fear from the laws. It is “universally” true that the design of their appointment by God was, not to injure and oppress the good, but to detect and punish the evil. Magistrates, “as such,” are not a terror to good works.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

A terror to evil works - Only. Wouldest thou then not be afraid - There is one fear which precedes evil actions, and deters from them: this should always remain. There is another fear which follows evil actions: they who do well are free from this.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

This is a good argument, but it is low for a Christian. We must be subject, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake; not so much formidine p&oelig;næ--from the fear of punishment, as virtutis amore--from the love of virtue.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

By him kings reign, Prov. viii. The usurpation of power and the abuse of power are not of God, for he is not the author of sin; but the power itself is. As our natural powers, though often abused and made instruments of sin, are from God's creating power, so civil powers are from God's governing power.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

26 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
οἱ	hoi	The	G3588 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
ἄρχοντες	archontes	rulers	G758 →
οὐκ	ouk	not	G3756 →
εἰσὶν	eisin	are	G1510 →
φόβος	phobos	a terror	G5401 →
τῷ	tō	to the	G3588 →
ἀγαθῷ	agathō	good	G18 →
ἔργῳ	ergō	work	G2041 →
ἀλλὰ	alla	but	G235 →
τῷ	tō	to the	G3588 →
κακῷ.	kakō	evil.	G2556 →
θέλεις	theleis	Do you desire	G2309 →
δὲ	de	now	G1161 →
μὴ	mē	not	G3361 →
φοβεῖσθαι	phobeisthai	to fear	G5399 →
τὴν	tēn	the	G3588 →
ἐξουσίαν;	exousian	authority?	G1849 →
τὸ	to	The	G3588 →
ἀγαθὸν	agathon	good	G18 →
ποίει	poiei	do perform	G4160 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
ἕξεις	hexeis	you will have	G2192 →
ἔπαινον	epainon	praise	G1868 →
ἐξ	ex	from	G1537 →
αὐτῆς·	autēs	him;	G846 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
leads to
- Proverbs 19:12
  A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4
  If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
- Proverbs 8:36
  But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
- 1 Kings 2:23
  Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.
- Amos 3:8
  The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?
Through
Proverbs 14:35
A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
leads to
- Matthew 24:45–51
  Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time?
- Proverbs 25:5
  Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Through
Deuteronomy 25:1
If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.
leads to
- Proverbs 17:15
  Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.