Romans 13:4

The passage by no means forbids Christians to take full advantage of existing authority and law; as St Paul himself took advantage of his civil rights. But its unmistakable drift is, what is always the drift of Scripture, (as it is notthat of human nature), to emphasize the Christian's dutiesfar more than his rights.

he beareth weareth. The Cæsars appear to have literally worn a sword or dagger as an emblem of imperatorial power. But the phrase here need be no more than figurative.

the sword A distinct sanction is given by this word here to the ordinance of capital punishment. Other and lower punishments are implied also, of course, in this mention of the highest and severest. The word "sword" occurs in this Epistle only here and Romans 8:35, where no doubt the execution of martyrs is in view. The two passages are a suggestive contrast and mutual illustration.

in vain i.e. without cause, without credentials. The Gr. word may equally mean "without cause" and "without effect;" but the latter meaning is out of place here. See the next clause, where the credentialsare given: "he is God's minister."

to execute wrath Lit. unto wrath; to inflict the consequences of the displeasure (of the ruler. See next note).