The Ministers of God for Good Romans 13:4

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome, “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. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God” and he continued, “and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation”. He further added, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same” In chapter thirteen and verse four of Romans, Paul continued his discourse as he asked the believers, “will you then not be afraid of the power?” where we read:

For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.

The verse begins, “For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid;” Paul began with the words, “for ” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “he is the minister” or “the ruler and authority is one who executes the commands of another, servant and attendant” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “to you” which means “toward the believers in Rome” “for good” or “toward a useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful and happy constitution or nature”. “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over that which was just stated “if you do” or “whether the believers in Rome make ready, prepare, produce, bear and provide toward” “that which is evil” which means “which are of a bad nature, not such as it ought to be, base, wrong, wicked, troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive and baneful”, “be afraid” or “fear, be seized with alarm, struck with amazement and reverence”. Paul declared “rulers and authorities” to be God's “servants” toward “useful and agreeable” things, however, if a person “performs” “wicked acts”, that person should be “afraid”.

The verse continues, “for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.” Paul added the word, “for” which means “because and since” “he is the minister” or “the ruler or authority who executes the commands of another, is a servant and attendant” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “a revenger” or “one who exacts penalty and punishes” “to execute wrath” which means “vengeance, indignation and punishment” “upon him” or “on the person whether male or female” “that does evil” which means “who performs, makes ready, prepares, produces, bears and provides”. Paul reemphasized that “rulers and authorities” are “God's servants” to “punish” and “bring vengeance” upon people who perform “evil” and act “wickedly”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how “authorities” have been appointed by God to keep law and order. If people keep the “law” and don't do “evil”, they should have no problem with the “authorities”, however, should a person “violate” the law, “law enforcers” shall perform their duties. Jesus Christ is the highest and absolute authority, and He employs others in offices of service to keep order among mankind. Jesus came to “save” fallen man, and because man has a propensity toward “evil”, there is a need to have servants to rule. All “rulers and authorities” are under God and shall give an account unto Him for their service, and those who are wise shall be responsible before the “authorities” He has chosen to “rule”.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome how they need to be, “subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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