Romans 13:4
NASB Lexicon
NASB ©GreekStrong'sOrigin
for it is a ministerδιάκονος
(diakonos)
1249: a servant, ministerof uncertain origin
of Godθεοῦ
(theou)
2316: God, a godof uncertain origin
to you for good.ἀγαθόν
(agathon)
18: goodof uncertain origin
But ifἐὰν
(ean)
1437: if (a conditional particle used like NG1487, but usually with the Gr. subjunctive mood)contr. from ei and an
you doποιῇς
(poiēs)
4160: to make, doa prim. word
whatκακὸν
(kakon)
2556: bad, evila prim. word
is evil,κακὸν
(kakon)
2556: bad, evila prim. word
be afraid;φοβοῦ
(phobou)
5399: to put to flight, to terrify, frightenfrom phobos
for it does not bearφορεῖ
(phorei)
5409: to bear constantly, to wearfrom pheró
the swordμάχαιραν
(machairan)
3162: a short sword or daggerperhaps from machomai
for nothing;εἰκῇ
(eikē)
1500: without cause or reason, vainlyadverb probably akin to hekón
for it is a ministerδιάκονος
(diakonos)
1249: a servant, ministerof uncertain origin
of God,θεοῦ
(theou)
2316: God, a godof uncertain origin
an avengerἔκδικος
(ekdikos)
1558: exacting penalty from, avengingfrom ek and diké
who brings wrathὀργὴν
(orgēn)
3709: impulse, wratha prim. word
on the one who practicesπράσσοντι
(prassonti)
4238: to do, practicea prim. verb
evil. 
 
2556: bad, evila prim. word


















KJV Lexicon
θεου  noun - genitive singular masculine
theos  theh'-os:  a deity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very -- exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
γαρ  conjunction
gar  gar:  assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
διακονος  noun - nominative singular masculine
diakonos  dee-ak'-on-os:  an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess) -- deacon, minister, servant.
εστιν  verb - present indicative - third person singular
esti  es-tee':  he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
σοι  personal pronoun - second person dative singular
soi  soy:  to thee -- thee, thine own, thou, thy.
εις  preposition
eis  ice:  to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
το  definite article - accusative singular neuter
ho  ho:  the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) -- the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
αγαθον  adjective - accusative singular neuter
agathos  ag-ath-os':  good (in any sense, often as noun) -- benefit, good(-s, things), well.
εαν  conditional
ean  eh-an':  before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever).
δε  conjunction
de  deh:  but, and, etc. -- also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
το  definite article - accusative singular neuter
ho  ho:  the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) -- the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
κακον  adjective - accusative singular neuter
kakos  kak-os':  worthless (intrinsically, such), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious -- bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.
ποιης  verb - present active subjunctive - second person singular
poieo  poy-eh'-o:  to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
φοβου  verb - present middle or passive deponent imperative - second person singular
phobeo  fob-eh'-o:  to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere -- be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
ου  particle - nominative
ou  oo:  no or not -- + long, nay, neither, never, no (man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.
γαρ  conjunction
gar  gar:  assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
εικη  adverb
eike  i-kay':  idly, i.e. without reason (or effect) -- without a cause, (in) vain(-ly).
την  definite article - accusative singular feminine
ho  ho:  the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) -- the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
μαχαιραν  noun - accusative singular feminine
machaira  makh'-ahee-rah:  a knife, i.e. dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment -- sword.
φορει  verb - present active indicative - third person singular
phoreo  for-eh'-o:  to have a burden, i.e. (by analogy) to wear as clothing or a constant accompaniment -- bear, wear.
θεου  noun - genitive singular masculine
theos  theh'-os:  a deity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very -- exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
γαρ  conjunction
gar  gar:  assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
διακονος  noun - nominative singular masculine
diakonos  dee-ak'-on-os:  an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess) -- deacon, minister, servant.
εστιν  verb - present indicative - third person singular
esti  es-tee':  he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
εκδικος  adjective - nominative singular masculine
ekdikos  ek'-dik-os:  carrying justice out, i.e. a punisher -- a (re-)venger.
εις  preposition
eis  ice:  to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
οργην  noun - accusative singular feminine
orge  or-gay':  desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment
τω  definite article - dative singular masculine
ho  ho:  the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) -- the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
το  definite article - accusative singular neuter
ho  ho:  the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) -- the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
κακον  adjective - accusative singular neuter
kakos  kak-os':  worthless (intrinsically, such), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious -- bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.
πρασσοντι  verb - present active passive - dative singular masculine
prasso  pras'-so:  to practise, i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually; by implication, to execute, accomplish, etc.; specially, to collect (dues), fare (personally) -- commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.
Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

King James Bible
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For government is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

International Standard Version
For they are God's servants, working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God's servants to administer punishment to anyone who does wrong.

NET Bible
for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God's servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For he is the Minister of God to you for good. But if you have done evil, be afraid, for he does not wear the sword for nothing, for he is the Minister of God and a furious avenger to those who do evil.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The government is God's servant working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid. The government has the right to carry out the death sentence. It is God's servant, an avenger to execute God's anger on anyone who does what is wrong.

King James 2000 Bible
For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
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