Romans 13:3-4 : For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. The Roman authorities later put Paul to death yet he says, "Rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil." On this point Conybeare and Howson have this to say: "We must remember that this was written before the imperial government had begun to persecute Christians. It is a testimony in favor of the general administration of the Roman criminal law." But that seems to imply that Paul's statement applied only to the Roman government, and only up to the time the Roman government began to persecute Christians. But was not Paul laying down principles that would apply to all Christians under established governments in all ages? So it seems to me. Paul was stating the proper functions of civil governments. His statements are a guide to the duties and limitations of governments, and a rebuke to those who overstep the bounds of their proper functions. Governments sometimes fail to function within their proper limits, just as churches sometimes fail to function as they should. The failure of a church to function as it should does not prove that the devil originated it, nor that all churches are owned and controlled by the devil; neither does a persecuting government prove that the devil controls all governments. No human government is perfect, and certainly the Roman government was far from perfection; but try to imagine the fate of the early Christians and of all other decent people, had there been no government at all. All governments are pleased with law-abiding citizens. The trouble was, the Roman government had some laws concerning religion, which Christians could not obey and this caused the trouble. Monsters of cruelty like Nero made it hard on Christians. Civil governments were meant to be ministers of God for the good of the people.; but they sometimes swerve from their God-appointed mission, and become instruments of cruelty. The sword, as here used, is a symbol of power--the power, or authority, to inflict the death penalty. The death penalty for certain crimes is one of God's fundamental requirements. Long before the law of Moses was given God said to Noah, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood he shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Genesis 9:6). This decree of God has always had to be carried out in a legal way; other-wise it would be murder. "He beareth not the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil." No person should therefore take vengeance with his own hands.