For he beareth not the sword in vain— This strongly intimates the lawfulness of inflicting capital punishments; to deny which, is in effectsubverting the chief use of magistrates; though sanguinary laws should be as much as possible avoided. Bengelius reads the first clause of this verse, For he is the minister of God, for good to thee; and the last clause, For he is God's vindictive minister, for a terror to the evil-doer. See Heinsius and Wetstein.
Related Commentaries of Romans 13:4
Romans 13:4
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.