| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the genitive theou {θεοῦ | the-oû} ‘of God’ as a genitive of source, establishing divine authorization, followed by the conjunction gar {γὰρ | gàr} ‘for’ and the nominative subject diakonos {διάκονος | di-á-ko-nos} ‘servant.’ The copular clause estin soi eis to agathon {ἐστιν σοὶ εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν | é-stin soí eis tò a-ga-thón} uses the dative soi ‘to you’ and the prepositional phrase eis to agathon ‘for good’ to express purpose. The conditional protasis ean de to kakon poieis {ἐὰν δὲ τὸ κακὸν ποιῇς | e-àn dè tò ka-kón poi-êis} with the subjunctive poi-êis conveys any act of wrongdoing, leading to the imperative phobou {φοβοῦ | pho-boû} ‘be afraid.’ The explanatory clause ou gar eikē tēn machairan phorei {οὐ γὰρ εἰκῇ τὴν μάχαιραν φορεῖ | ou gàr ei-kē tḕn má-chai-ran pho-reî} clarifies that the governing authority legitimately wields the sword, not idly. The statement then repeats the agent as theou gar diakonos estin {θεοῦ γὰρ διάκονος ἐστιν | the-oû gàr di-á-ko-nos é-stin}, apposing ekdikos {ἔκδικος | ék-di-kos} ‘avenger’ with eis orgēn {εἰς ὀργὴν | eis or-gḕn} ‘for wrath’ directed towards tōi to kakon prassonti {τῷ τὸ κακὸν πράσσοντι | tôi tò ka-kón pràs-son-ti}, emphasizing the ruler’s dual role to protect good and punish evil. |