For he is the minister of God for thy wealth: [a]but if thou do evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword for nought: for he is the minister of God to [b]take vengeance on him that doeth evil.

[c]Wherefore ye must be subject, not because of wrath only, but [d]also for conscience sake.

[e]For, for this cause ye pay also tribute: for they are God’s ministers, applying themselves for the same thing.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:4 God hath armed the Magistrate even with a revenging sword.
  2. Romans 13:4 By whom God revengeth the wicked.
  3. Romans 13:5 The conclusion: We must obey the magistrate, not only for fear of punishment, but much more because that (although the Magistrate have no power over the conscience of man, yet seeing he is God’s minister) he cannot be resisteth by any good conscience.
  4. Romans 13:5 So far as lawfully we may: for if unlawful things be commanded us, we must answer as Peter teacheth us, It is better to obey God than men.
  5. Romans 13:6 He reckoneth up the chiefest things wherein consisteth the obedience of subjects.

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