Study it in the app“for it is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath on the one who practices evil.”
forγὰρit isἐστινGod’sθεοῦservantδιάκονόςto youσοὶforεἰςgood.τὸ ἀγαθόνButδὲifἐὰνyou doποιῇςwhat is evil,τὸ κακὸνbe afraid;φοβοῦforγὰρit does notοὐbearφορεῖthe swordτὴν μάχαιρανin vain;εἰκῇforγὰρit isἐστινGod’sθεοῦservant,διάκονόςan avengerἔκδικοςforεἰςwrathὀργὴνon the one whoτῷpracticesπράσσοντιevil.τὸ κακὸν
be
To be: says who or what something is.
Where else “estin” appearsGod
The Creator and Lord of all, the one God of Israel.
Where else “theou” appearsminister
One who serves God in his work, also a deacon.
Where else “diakonos” appearsgood deed
What is done for others' benefit and pleases God.
Where else “agathon” appearsdo
To carry out an action or cause an effect.
Where else “poiēis” appearsevil
What goes against God's will and harms others.
Where else “kakon” appearsbe afraid
To be afraid: "do not fear".
Where else “phobou” appearswear
Wear, have on.
Where else “phorei” appearssword
Sword.
Where else “machairan” appearsin vain, without cause
In vain, to no purpose; also without cause.
Where else “eikēi” appearsavenger
Avenger: someone who punishes the wrong done.
Where else “ekdikos” appearswrath
God's anger against evil, his punishment.
Where else “orgēn” appearsdo
To carry out something, often evil.
Where else “prassonti” appears3For rulers are not a cause of fear to good work, but to bad. Do you want, then, not to fear the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it;
4 · This verse (above)
5Therefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath but also because of conscience.
1. What it says
What does Paul say we owe others, and how does he sum up the law? (vv. 8-10)
2. What it means
Why does Paul say love does no harm to a neighbor and so fulfills the law? (v. 10)
3. How I live it
Whom close to you can you show love in a concrete way this week, expecting nothing in return?
