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Key Verse Spotlight

Romans 13:4 - Meaning and Application

Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today

Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition

" for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. "

Romans 13:4

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2 Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,

4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

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Related Verses

Job 19:29

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"be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishments of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment.”"

Speaks to the same theme

1 Peter 3:17

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"For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing evil."

Speaks to the same theme

Romans 6:16

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"Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?"

Speaks to the same theme

Judith 11:10

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"Therefore, O lord and master, don’t neglect his word, but lay it up in your heart, for it is true; for our race will not be punished, neither will the sword prevail against them, unless they sin against their God."

Speaks to the same theme

3 John 1:11

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"Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God."

Speaks to the same theme

1 Peter 3:14

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"But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”"

Speaks to the same theme

Related verses from Bible Guided Semantic Search

From This Chapter

Romans 13:1

"Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God."

Romans 13:2

"Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment."

Romans 13:3

"For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,"

Romans 13:5

"Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake."

Romans 13:6

"For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing."

Romans 13:7

"Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

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