Romans 13:3–4
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:
For rulers are not a terrour to good works, but to the euill. Wilt thou then not bee afraide of the power? doe that which is good, and thou shalt haue praise of the same.
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.
For hee is the minister of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is euill, be afraid: for he beareth not the sword in vaine: for he is the minister of God, a reuenger to execute wrath vpon him that doeth euill.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 10:4–6Rank 1 from verse 3
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise vp against thee, leaue not thy place; for yeelding pacifieth great offences.
5†There is an euill which I haue seene vnder the Sunne, as an errour, which proceedeth from the ruler.
6†Folly is set in great dignitie; and the rich sit in lowe place.
- 1 Peter 2:13–14Rank 2 from verse 3
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
13Submit your selues to euery ordinance of man for the Lordes sake, whether it be to the King, as supreme,
14Or vnto gouernours, as vnto them that are sent by him, for the punishment of euil doers, and for the praise of them that doe well.
- Proverbs 14:35Rank 3 from verse 3
- Proverbs 20:2Rank 4 from verse 3
- Deuteronomy 25:1Rank 5 from verse 3
1IF there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
1¶ If there bee a controuersie betweene men, and they come vnto iudgment, that the Iudges may iudge them, then they shall iustifie the righteous, and condemne the wicked.
- 1 Peter 3:13–14Rank 6 from verse 3
13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
13And who is hee that will harme you, if ye bee followers of that which is good?
14But and if ye suffer for righteousnes sake, happy are ye, and be not *afraid of their terrour, neither be troubled:
- Jeremiah 22:15–18Rank 7 from verse 3
15Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the Lord.
17But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
18Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
15Shalt thou reigne because thou closest thy selfe in cedar? did not thy father eate and drinke, and doe iudgment and iustice, and then it was wel with him?
16He iudged the cause of the poore and needy, then it was well with him: was not this to know me, saith the LORD?
17‖But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy couetousnesse, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence to doe it.
18Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah king of Iudah, They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother, or ah sister: they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah LORD, or ah his glory.
- Romans 13:4Rank 8 from verse 3
4For 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.
4For hee is the minister of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is euill, be afraid: for he beareth not the sword in vaine: for he is the minister of God, a reuenger to execute wrath vpon him that doeth euill.
From verse 4
- Romans 12:19Rank 1 from verse 4
- 2 Chronicles 19:6Rank 2 from verse 4
- Proverbs 24:23–24Rank 3 from verse 4
23These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
23*These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to haue respect of persons in iudgement.
24*He that sayth vnto the wicked, Thou art righteous, him shall the people curse; nations shall abhorre him:
- Proverbs 16:14Rank 4 from verse 4
- Proverbs 20:2Rank 5 from verse 4
- 1 Thessalonians 4:6Rank 6 from verse 4
6That 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.
6That no man goe beyond and ‖defraud his brother ‖in any matter, because that the Lord is the auenger of all such; as we also haue forewarned you, and testified:
- Isaiah 1:17Rank 7 from verse 4
- Psalms 82:2–4Rank 8 from verse 4
2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
2*How long will yee iudge vniustly: and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3†Defend the poore and fatherlesse: doe iustice to the afflicted and needie.
4*Deliuer the poore and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
- Romans 13:6Rank 9 from verse 4
- Ezekiel 22:27Rank 10 from verse 4
- Ezekiel 25:14Rank 11 from verse 4
14And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God.
14And I will lay my vengeance vpon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall doe in Edom according to mine anger, and according to my furie, and they shall know my vengeance, saith the LORD God.
- Jeremiah 5:28Rank 12 from verse 4
28They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
28**They are waxen fat, they shine: yea they ouerpasse the deedes of the wicked: they iudge not the cause, the cause of the fatherlesse, yet they prosper: and the right of the needy doe they not iudge.
- Micah 3:1–4Rank 13 from verse 4
1AND I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment?
2Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
3Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.
4Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
1¶ And I said, Heare, I pray you, O heads of Iacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel: is it not for you to know iudgement?
2Who hate the good and loue the euill, who plucke off their skinne from off them, and their flesh from off their bones.
3Who also eate the flesh of my people, and flay their skinne from off them, and they breake their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the cauldron.
4Then shall they cry vnto the LORD, but he will not heare them: he will euen hide his face from them at that time, as they haue behaued themselues ill in their doings.
- Proverbs 31:8–9Rank 15 from verse 4
8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
8†Open thy mouth for the dumbe in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9*Open thy mouth, iudge righteously, and plead the cause of the poore and needy.
- 1 Kings 10:9Rank 16 from verse 4
9Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
9Blessed be the LORD thy God which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel; because the LORD loued Israel for euer, therefore made he thee King, to doe iudgement and iustice.
- Ecclesiastes 8:2–5Rank 17 from verse 4
2I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
3Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
5Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
2I counsell thee, to keepe the kings commandement, and that in regard of the oath of God.
3Bee not hastie to goe out of his sight: stand not in an euill thing, for he doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him.
4Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say vnto him, What doest thou?
5†Whoso keepeth the commandement, shall feele no euill thing: and a wise mans heart discerneth both time and iudgement.
- Joshua 20:9Rank 18 from verse 4
9These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
9These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that soiourneth among them, that whosoeuer killeth any person at vnawares might flee thither, & not die by the hand of the auenger of blood, vntill he stood before the Congregation.
- Numbers 35:19–27Rank 19 from verse 4
19The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
20But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
21Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
23Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
24Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
26But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
27And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
19The reuenger of blood himselfe shall slay the murtherer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
20*But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurle at him by laying of waite that he die,
21Or in enmitie smite him with his hand, that he die: hee that smote him shall surely be put to death, for hee is a murderer: the reuenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when hee meeteth him.
22But if hee thrust him suddenly *without enmitie, or haue cast vpon him any thing without laying of wait,
23Or with any stone wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it vpon him, that he die, and was not his enemie, neither sought his harme:
24Then the Congregation shall iudge betweene the slayer, and the reuenger of blood, according to these iudgements.
25And the Congregation shall deliuer the slayer out of the hand of the reuenger of blood, and the Congregation shal restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it vnto the death of the high Priest, which was annoynted with the holy oyle.
26But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the citie of his refuge, whither he was fled:
27And the reuenger of blood finde him without the borders of the citie of his refuge, and the reuenger of blood kill the slayer, he †shall not be guiltie of blood:
- Proverbs 20:26Rank 20 from verse 4
- Proverbs 20:8Rank 21 from verse 4
- Joshua 20:5Rank 22 from verse 4
5And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
5And if the auenger of blood pursue after him, then they shal not deliuer the slayer vp into his hand: because hee smote his neighbour vnwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Romans 13:3
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Persons who govern, direct, or exercise authority.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Second-person singular present form of will: choosest, intendest, or art disposed to. Sense 2: As an auxiliary, marks future action.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Feeling fear, alarm, apprehension, or terror.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Commendation, thanksgiving, honour, or good report. 2. To commend, thank, honour, or declare excellence.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Romans 13:4
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: As a noun, one who serves, attends, or executes an appointed charge or office. Sense 2: As a verb, to serve, attend, or perform service. Sense 3: To give, afford, supply, convey, or cause what is named to be supplied.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Feeling fear, alarm, apprehension, or terror.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
One who executes vengeance or punishment; an appointed avenger or a minister executing judgment.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To carry out, perform, or put into effect, especially a judgment or command.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604
Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
2Whosoeuer therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receiue to themselues damnation.
3For 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:
3For rulers are not a terrour to good works, but to the euill. Wilt thou then not bee afraide of the power? doe that which is good, and thou shalt haue praise of the same.
Selected passage4For 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.
4For hee is the minister of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is euill, be afraid: for he beareth not the sword in vaine: for he is the minister of God, a reuenger to execute wrath vpon him that doeth euill.
Selected passage5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
5Wherfore ye must needs be subiect, not onely for wrath, but also for conscience sake.