Romans 13:3
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Romans 13:3
Paul describes civil rulers as those who deter wrongdoing. Good behavior yields praise; evil behavior yields punishment. The verse presumes a functional government that encourages good and deters evil. It also implicitly contrasts righteous governance with arbitrary power. For believers, doing good aligns with mission, witness, and social order. The principle recognizes that public authorities are accountable to God; human fear of punishment should motivate ethical behavior.
The verse reinforces the concept of vocation: rulers as ministers of God for good. It ties justice to public authority and the social ethics of a polity. It also highlights accountability of rulers to divine standards and the responsibility of citizens to support just governance.
Practical steps: obey laws that promote the common good; report corruption through proper channels; participate in civic processes to support just governance. In personal life, consider how your conduct aligns with the public trust placed in leadership roles.
Cross-References: Romans 13:4; 1 Peter 2:14; Titus 3:1