Authority as a Servant for Good

Authority, Love, and the Armor of Light · Romans 13

Story guide: Disclosed visual essay. Paul calls every person to be subject to governing authorities, which are described as appointed servants for good. Good conduct need not fear just rule, while the sheathed sword represents authority’s responsibility to restrain wrongdoing.

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1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been appointed by God.

2Therefore, the one who resists the authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and those who have opposed it will receive judgment on themselves.

3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. But if you do not want to fear the authority, do what is good, and you will have praise from it.

4For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword for nothing. For it is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath against the one who practices evil.

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