“Rulers
Are not a terror
To good conduct,
But to bad conduct.
Do you wish
To have no fear
Of the authority?
Then do what is good.
You will receive
Its approval.”
οἱ γὰρ ἄρχοντες οὐκ εἰσὶν φόβος τῷ ἀγαθῷ ἔργῳ ἀλλὰ τῷ κακῷ. θέλεις δὲ μὴ φοβεῖσθαι τὴν ἐξουσίαν; τὸ ἀγαθὸν ποίει, καὶ ἕξεις ἔπαινον ἐξ αὐτῆς·
Paul explained that rulers (οἱ γὰρ ἄρχοντες) are not a terror (οὐκ εἰσὶν φόβος) to good conduct or works (τῷ ἀγαθῷ ἔργῳ), but to bad conduct (ἀλλὰ τῷ κακῷ). They should not wish (θέλεις) to fear (δὲ μὴ φοβεῖσθαι) any authority (τὴν ἐξουσίαν). If they did what was good (τὸ ἀγαθὸν ποίει), they would receive the approval or praise (καὶ ἕξεις ἔπαινον) of the authority (ἐξ αὐτῆς). Paul indicated to the Roman Christians that rulers were not terrible or to be feared if they were doing good works. However, if they were doing bad things that was a different story. If they were good, the rulers would give them praise and approval. They had nothing to fear from the local Roman officials if they were conducting themselves correctly. If they were doing bad or evil stuff, then they had a good reason to be afraid of the local authorities. Paul seemed to assume that all these local civic leaders were good people, because God put them in charge. He did not seem to realize that there might be some rotten apples among these various civil servant leaders. In your experience, are civil leaders good people?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 