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Romans 13

Ro. 13:3 KJV (With Strong’s)

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3
For
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
rulers
archon (Greek #758)
a first (in rank or power)
KJV usage: chief (ruler), magistrate, prince, ruler.
Pronounce: ar'-khone
Origin: present participle of 757
are
eisi (Greek #1526)
they are
KJV usage: agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.
Pronounce: i-see'
Origin: 3d person plural present indicative of 1510
not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
a terror
phobos (Greek #5401)
alarm or fright
KJV usage: be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.
Pronounce: fob'-os
Origin: from a primary φέβομαι (to be put in fear)
to
ergon (Greek #2041)
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
KJV usage: deed, doing, labour, work.
Pronounce: er'-gon
Origin: from a primary (but obsolete) ἔργω (to work)
good
agathos (Greek #18)
"good" (in any sense, often as noun)
KJV usage: benefit, good(-s, things), well. Compare 2570.
Pronounce: ag-ath-os'
Origin: a primary word
works
ergon (Greek #2041)
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
KJV usage: deed, doing, labour, work.
Pronounce: er'-gon
Origin: from a primary (but obsolete) ἔργω (to work)
, but
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
to the evil
kakos (Greek #2556)
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas 4190 properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
KJV usage: bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.
Pronounce: kak-os'
Origin: apparently a primary word
. Wilt thou
thelo (Greek #2309)
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas 1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in
KJV usage: desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).
Pronounce: thel'-o
Origin: or ἐθέλω (eth-el'-o), in certain tenses θελέω (thel-eh'-o), and ἐθελέω (eth-el-eh'-o), which are otherwise obsolete apparently strengthened from the alternate form of 138
then
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
not
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
be afraid of
phobeo (Greek #5399)
to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere
KJV usage: be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
Pronounce: fob-eh'-o
Origin: from 5401
the power
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
exousia (Greek #1849)
privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence
KJV usage: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Pronounce: ex-oo-see'-ah
Origin: from 1832 (in the sense of ability)
? do
poieo (Greek #4160)
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
KJV usage: abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare 4238.
Pronounce: poy-eh'-o
Origin: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary
y that which is good
agathos (Greek #18)
"good" (in any sense, often as noun)
KJV usage: benefit, good(-s, things), well. Compare 2570.
Pronounce: ag-ath-os'
Origin: a primary word
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
thou shalt have
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
praise
epainos (Greek #1868)
laudation; concretely, a commendable thing
KJV usage: praise.
Pronounce: ep'-ahee-nos
Origin: from 1909 and the base of 134
of
ek (Greek #1537)
or ἐξ (ex) a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV usage: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Pronounce: ek
the same
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
:
y
1 P. 2:14• 14Ya á los gobernadores, como de él enviados para venganza de los malhechores, y para loor de los que hacen bien. (1 P. 2:14)

More on:

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Power

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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rulers.
Ro. 13:4• 4Porque es ministro de Dios para tu bien. Mas si hicieres lo malo, teme: porque no en vano lleva el cuchillo; porque es ministro de Dios, vengador para castigo al que hace lo malo. (Ro. 13:4)
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Dt. 25:1• 1Cuando hubiere pleito entre algunos, y vinieren á juicio, y los juzgaren, y absolvieren al justo y condenaren al inicuo, (Dt. 25:1)
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Pr. 14:35• 35La benevolencia del rey es para con el ministro entendido: Mas su enojo contra el que lo avergüenza. (Pr. 14:35)
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Pr. 20:2• 2Como bramido de cachorro de león es el terror del rey: El que lo hace enfurecerse, peca contra su alma. (Pr. 20:2)
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Ec. 10:4‑6• 4Si el espíritu del príncipe se exaltare contra ti, no dejes tu lugar; porque la lenidad hará cesar grandes ofensas.
 5Hay un mal que debajo del sol he visto, á manera de error emanado del príncipe:
 6La necedad está colocada en grandes alturas, y los ricos están sentados en lugar bajo. (Ec. 10:4‑6)
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Jer. 22:15‑18• 15¿Reinarás porque te cercas de cedro? ¿no comió y bebío tu padre, é hizo juicio y justicia, y entonces le fué bien?
 16El juzgó la causa del afligido y del menesteroso, y entonces estuvo bien. ¿No es esto conocerme á mí? dice Jehová.
 17Mas tus ojos y tu corazón no son sino á tu avaricia, y á derramar la sangre inocente, y á opresión, y á hacer agravio.
 18Por tanto así ha dicho Jehová, de Joacim hijo de Josías, rey de Judá: No lo llorarán, diciendo: Ay hermano mío! y ay hermana! ni lo lamentarán, diciendo: Ay señor! ay su grandeza! (Jer. 22:15‑18)
Wilt.
1 P. 2:13‑14• 13Sed pues sujetos á toda ordenación humana por respeto á Dios: ya sea al rey, como á superior,
 14Ya á los gobernadores, como de él enviados para venganza de los malhechores, y para loor de los que hacen bien. (1 P. 2:13‑14)
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1 P. 3:13‑14• 13¿Y quién es aquel que os podrá dañar, si vosotros seguís el bien?
 14Mas también si alguna cosa padecéis por hacer bien, sois bienaventurados. Por tanto, no temáis por el temor de ellos, ni seáis turbados; (1 P. 3:13‑14)
• {v.3-4} Generally, they are in place in the governments in various lands to protect the citizens of the state. (“Practical Righteousness Toward the Civil Authorities: Romans 13” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil one. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise what is good, and thou shalt have praise from it;

W. Kelly Translation

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For the rulers are no terror for the good work but for the evila. And dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? Practice good and thou shalt have praise for it;

WK Translation Notes

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a
So it is in the oldest MSS. instead of the common reading.