13:2a
Consequently: Here this word introduces a consequence of God instituting all government authority (13:1b–c). One should not resist government authority, because God caused that authority to exist.
whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place: Here the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as resists and opposing are words with similar meanings. The Greek lexicons use similar definitions for these words. They both refer to opposing something or someone. The scholars who say the two words mean nearly the same thing do not say how they differ in meaning. Dunn (page 762) suggests that Paul used two different words here only for good Greek style.
Some languages may have two words that mean nearly the same thing here. For example:
whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
people who oppose the government are rejecting what God made-certain
In other languages it will be more natural to use the same word both times. For example:
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed (English Standard Version)
whoever: The Greek is singular but refers to anyone. For example:
he who (New International Version)
resists: Here this word refers to opposing something or someone. It implies more than a difference of opinion. It implies here that someone refuses to do what the government requires. Here are other ways to translate this word:
rebels (New International Version)
-or-
fights
-or-
rejects
authority: The Greek is singular, but it refers to any of the governing authorities in 13:1a. For example:
those authorities
what God has set in place: The Greek is more literally “the command/order of God.” It refers to the system of government implied by “the authorities” above. God put it there. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
what God has commanded (New Century Version)
-or-
God is the one who placed/put them in that their work
-or-
that which God had established
13:2b
those who do so: This refers to people who are doing the same thing as the person resisting the authorities in 13:2a.
will bring judgment on themselves: The Greek is more literally “will receive judgment upon-themselves.” The phrase “upon-themselves” is emphasized in the Greek by being first in the clause.
This phrase indicates that someone will judge the people who resist the government. Some scholars think that Paul was thinking of both God and government leaders judging these people. Other scholars think that Paul was thinking mostly of God here. It is probably best to think that Paul was thinking of both God and government leaders here.
In some languages one word translates both the English word “receive” and “take.” But “take” does not imply that someone gave. Your translation should indicate or imply that someone gave this judgment. For example:
will be given judgment
-or-
will experience judgment and punishment ⌊from them⌋
judgment: Here this word refers to deciding someone has done something bad and what the punishment should be. For example:
condemnation (New Jerusalem Bible)
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