13:5a
Therefore: Here this word introduces a logical conclusion to what Paul said earlier.
it is necessary: The Greek is literally “it-is-necessary to.” It indicates that the only right thing to do is to be in subjection.
to submit to authority: This refers to being under the authority of someone. He or she can tell believers what they should do, and they should do it. See how you translated this Greek word at 13:1 (“submit”).
The context implies that believers are to be subject to government authorities (13:1–4). For example:
to submit to the authorities (New International Version)
13:5b
The same interpretation issue about whose wrath this is occurs here as it does in 13:4e. This author follows the same interpretation here.
not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience: The grammar of the words not only…but also acknowledges the importance of the first part and emphasizes the importance of the second part. In some languages it is more natural for the not only part to be second. For example:
as a matter of conscience, not only to avoid punishment
to avoid punishment: This implies not doing things that cause the government authorities to be angry. For example:
because of the wrath of the authorities (NET Bible)
-or-
because you might be punished (New Century Version)
punishment: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as punishment is more literally “wrath.” It refers to the same thing as in 13:4e, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “retribution.” See how you translated this word there.
conscience: Here this word refers to someone’s internal record of past deeds, as in 2:15 and 9:1. It probably also implies that the person knows that doing evil will cause him to feel guilty or ashamed, so it is best not to do evil.
See how you translated this word in 2:15 or 9:1.
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