The predator State can become a greater threat to economic and social cooperation than the predator criminal class. In some cases, the State allies itself with the criminal class. Conclusion Paul speaks of the illegitimacy of personal vengeance. He does not deny the legitimacy of vengeance as such. He says that God has restricted vengeance to legitimate civil governments.
Civil power is supposed to restrain unpredictable personal violence, family feuds, and gang warfare.
The free market is not autonomous. It is an extension of the individual or the family, both of which operate under civil law. The free market is under civil law. Civil law in principle precedes the free market and establishes its conditions by shaping public behavior and attitudes. It is enforced by rulers who are ministers of God.