Romans 13

that authority
“That” is an anaphoric translation of the article τῇ (tē), which means that the article is understood to refer back to the authority mentioned in verse 1. While the article could simply be translated as “the,” the focus of the context and the flexibility of Greek allows for a tighter translation “that.” This translation enhances a reader’s ability to see that resisting the principle of institutional human authority is, by extension, resisting God Himself who put it there.

that authority
Refer to the discussion on verse 2 above.

in vain
“In vain” is a literal translation of εἰκῇ (eikē), which can also be translated “without cause” or “to no purpose” (see BDAG on εἰκῇ). The idea is that the sword they bear is not simply a show piece. Rather, it is put to use as a tangible means of God’s wrath on evildoers. By warning his readers that the government does not bear the sword in vain, he is warning them away from what is in store for those who engage in evil.

that wrath
“That” is an anaphoric translation of the article τὴν (tēn), which means that the article is understood to refer back to the wrath mentioned in verse 4. While the article could simply be translated as “the,” the focus of the context and the flexibility of Greek allows for a tighter translation “that.” This translation enhances a reader’s ability to see that one should subject oneself to those who function as ministers of God precisely because of the threat of God’s wrath that can be meted out through that same human agency.

And do this
Though some translations opt to leave it out as unnecessary in English, Καὶ (Kai) is included in translation at the beginning of this verse because it makes this verse more connected, shows an advancing argument from what came prior, and thus heightens the force of what has been said. Here, Paul instructs loving one’s neighbor rather than doing evil, and enforces such a command by reminding Christians that the full realization of their salvation is approaching all the more near. Thus, as Christians seek to obey God faithfully loving others, they are to find motivation in the coming reality of Christ’s return.

at hand
“At hand” translates the Greek verb ἐγγίζω (engizō). This verb is usually translated with “come near” or “approach” when describing physical proximity (e.g., Matt 21:1; Luke 15:1; Acts 23:15), and consistently translated as “at hand” in contexts which speak of a coming of an important theological event or age, whether the Kingdom of Heaven/God (Matt 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; Mark 1:15; Luke 10:11), the time of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion (Matt 26:45–46; Mark 14:42), or the culmination of redemptive history during the end times (Luke 21:6, 20; here; James 5:8; 1 Pet 4:7). The present verse falls into this last category, as Paul encourages believers to live righteously as they anticipate the culmination of their salvation when Christ returns.

walk
Translations give a variety of idiomatic renderings at this point, such as “live” or “behave,” but the Greek verb is literally that for “walk” (περιπατέω; peripateō; cf. 1 Thess 4:12). For that reason, the translation “walk” has been retained and the sense of what that means (i.e. living or behaving) is left for the reader/expositor to discern from the context and other usages. Paul uses the language of walking several times in order to characterize someone’s lifestyle (cf. Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Thess 3:6). In doing so, he portrays someone not in terms of their status, but rather in terms of how they behave throughout the course of their life. His focus, therefore, is on the character of their actions. In context, such actions follow a Christian’s mental resolve to “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ and recall who He is for them in light of the gospel (cf. vv. 11–12, 14).