or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well.
for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well: This is the design of civil government. These authorities "beareth not the sword in vain" (Romans 13:4). If anyone does not believe that, he can get out and drive 80 miles an hour on the freeway. They do not bear the sword in vain! Christians, then, are not to be the active agents in civil powers. Christians are told to put up their sword (Matthew 26:52). The world does not bear the sword in vain, and we as Christians are not to bear the sword at all. In fact the holy nation being discussed in the whole context was to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and learn war no more (Isaiah 2:1-4).