Romans 13:4–5
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.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Wherfore ye must needs be subiect, not onely for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
10 Essential passages are open for comparison.
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.
From verse 5
- 1 Peter 2:19Rank 1 from verse 5
- Acts 24:16Rank 2 from verse 5
- Ecclesiastes 8:2Rank 3 from verse 5
- 1 Peter 2:13–15Rank 4 from verse 5
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.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
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.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing yee may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
- 1 Samuel 24:5–6Rank 5 from verse 5
5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
6And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
5And it came to passe afterward, that Dauids heart smote him, because he had cut off Sauls skirt.
6And hee sayd vnto his men, The LORD forbid that I should doe this thing vnto my master the LORDs Anoynted, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the Anoynted of the LORD.
- Titus 3:1–2Rank 6 from verse 5
1PUT them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
1¶ Put them in minde to bee subiect to Principalities & Powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to euery good worke,
2To speake euill of no man, to bee no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekenesse vnto all men.
- 1 Peter 3:16Rank 7 from verse 5
16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
16Hauing a good conscience, that whereas they speake euill of you, as of euill doers, they may bee ashamed that falsly accuse your good conuersation in Christ.
- Hebrews 13:18Rank 8 from verse 5
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
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
DEFINED WORDS
Romans 13:5
1. For that reason, or as a conclusion from what precedes; therefore or consequently. 2. For what reason or purpose; why.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
must needs
Must necessarily be so or be done; an emphatic expression of necessity or obligation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Of necessity; necessarily.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
Sense 1: Under the authority, power, control, or obedience of another. Sense 2: Exposed, liable, or bound to the condition named.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
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
Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.
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
COMBINED MEANING
conscience
The inward moral awareness that bears witness concerning one's conduct, accusing or excusing and approving or condemning.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Cause, account, purpose, interest, or benefit; used in phrases meaning because of or for the benefit of someone or something.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
FOLLOW THE THEME
Related Concepts
Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
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.
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.
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.
Selected passage6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
6For, for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are Gods ministers, attending continually vpon this very thing.