Romans 13:4– The government, Gods servant

For it is God’s servant for your good. Now if you should be doing evil, fear, for not feignedly is it wearing the sword. For it is God’s servant an avenger for indignation to him who is committing evil.

The hierarchy must be clear. “Every soul” is subject to the government. And the government in turn is subject to God. After all, she is a “servant of God” and thus in the service of the One who placed her in that position. She would therefore not do what she pleases, as dictators and despots believe. No, the government is God’s servant to act for the good of its subjects. Also, Paul is not teaching democracy here, because the underlying idea there is that the government is accountable to the people. No, the government is accountable to Whoever appointed it.

By “evil” in this verse, Paul is referring, as in the previous one, to the non-recognition of those in power. Rebels would fear the government, since it carries “the sword” for a reason. The opposite of rebellion is subjection, knowing that there is One who appoints and removes in His time (Dan. 4:17).

Delen: