Or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”
Or to governors
The Roman governor was subordinate to the Emperor. Caesar appointed the provincial governors who’s job was to curb those who were unprincipled and lawless. The Caesar appointed the governors for the good of the province. They maintained law.
In Palestine, the governor was Pontius Pilate. He was sent from Rome to have jurisdiction over occupied Palestine. Pontius Pilate gave permission for Jesus’ execution.
as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers
If the government does not punish evil doers, they will become more and more brazen. God has never revoked capital punishment since it was instituted in
Genesis 9:6, “Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed;
For in the image of God
He made man.”A man who deliberately murders someone else in the first degree (premeditated) comes under God’s principle of capital punishment. God also invoked capital punishment for adultery, sex perversion and parental attack in the Old Testament. Under Israel’s law it was a tooth for tooth, an eye for eye. This approach seems harsh in today’s society. We live in a generation without adequate standards.
When government ceases to punish evildoers, the government becomes part of the problem. Poor government will result. Then, the government shirks its responsibility to punish those who break the law.
and for the praise of those who do good
Another role for government is to affirm those who do good. One who does “good” is one who benefits others.
Principle:
A country without adequate law will become a country of anarchy.
Application:
Any kind of government is better than anarchy. Even corrupt police forces will attempt to apprehend criminals.
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