What Does Romans 13:3 Mean in the King James?

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 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The verse puts terror and praise under the same authority, but assigns them to opposite kinds of action.

THE MEANING

The verse presents authority as distinguishing between good and evil: evil meets fear, while good receives recognition. Its claim is that doing good need not make you tremble before power; the same power can become a source of praise.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that authority is automatically a threat to people doing good; here, fear is attached to evil, while good meets praise.

THE ROOT

φόβος

phobos

GROWS FROM

φοβ-

phob-

Fear, alarm, dread.

The Greek repeats the ⁨φοβ-⁩ (phob-, fear) word family in “terror” and “afraid”: ⁨φόβος⁩ (phobos, terror) and ⁨φοβεῖσθαι⁩ (phobeisthai, to be afraid). English gives them different shapes, but the verse links the fear authority embodies with the fear a person might feel before it.

ALSO GROWS

phobeomai: To fear or be afraid.

φοβέομαι

This verb is the same fear-family heard in the verse’s “afraid,” echoing the noun translated “terror.”

aphobos: Without fear, fearless.

ἄφοβος

The same ⁨φοβ-⁩ (phob-, fear) seed appears with a negating prefix, showing how the word family can name fear’s absence as well as its presence.

ἀγαθός

agathos

GROWS FROM

ἀγαθ-

agath-

Good, beneficial.

The same ⁨ἀγαθ-⁩ (agath-, good) appears in “good works” and “that which is good.” The verse repeats the quality before turning it into an action, then connects that action with praise.

ALSO GROWS

agathosyne: Goodness.

ἀγαθωσύνη

This related noun names the quality that the verse applies to works and action.

agathopoieo: To do good.

ἀγαθοποιέω

This related verb makes explicit the movement from goodness as a quality to goodness expressed in action.

THE PATTERN

Good and evil become visible in public life through the recognition or consequence they meet.

Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

1 Peter 2:14 · KJVGovernors are again described as distinguishing wrongdoing from good conduct, with punishment and praise marking the difference.

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 14:34 · KJVThe verse shows good and evil taking public shape in a people’s honor or reproach.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:17 · KJVGood conduct is made visible to others even when evil is returned, keeping the distinction public.

THE THREAD

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 3:14 · KJV

Peter repeats the same Greek fear-family: ⁨φόβος⁩ (phobos, terror) and ⁨φοβέομαι⁩ (phobeomai, to fear). The shared root opens a tension beside Romans: good is not assigned terror under authority, yet the verse names the reality of terror when people suffer for doing right.

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