Rom 13:4 | RWP | e4.org | A minister of God ( θεου διακονος ). General sense of διακονος . Of course even Nero was God's minister "to thee ( σο ethical dative) for good ( εις το αγαθον , for the good)." That is the ideal, the goal. Beareth ( φορε ). Present active indicative of φορεω , old frequentative form of φερω , to bear, to wear. But if thou do ( εαν δε ποιηις ). Condition of third class, εαν and present active subjunctive of ποιεω , "if thou continue to do." Sword ( μαχαιραν ). Symbol of authority as to-day policemen carry clubs or pistols. "The Emperor Trajan presented to a provincial governor on starting for his province, a dagger, with the words, ' For me . If I deserve it, in me'" (Vincent). An avenger ( εκδικος ). Old adjective from εκ and δικη (right), "outside of penalty," unjust, then in later Greek "exacting penalty from one," in N.T. only here and .

‏ Romans 13:4

A minister of God ( θεου διακονος ). General sense of διακονος. Of course even Nero was God's minister "to thee ( σο ethical dative) for good ( εις το αγαθον, for the good)." That is the ideal, the goal.

Beareth ( φορε ). Present active indicative of φορεω, old frequentative form of φερω, to bear, to wear.

But if thou do ( εαν δε ποιηις ). Condition of third class, εαν and present active subjunctive of ποιεω, "if thou continue to do."

Sword ( μαχαιραν ). Symbol of authority as to-day policemen carry clubs or pistols. "The Emperor Trajan presented to a provincial governor on starting for his province, a dagger, with the words, 'For me. If I deserve it, in me'" (Vincent).

An avenger ( εκδικος ). Old adjective from εκ and δικη (right), "outside of penalty," unjust, then in later Greek "exacting penalty from one," in N.T. only here and 1Th 4:6.