For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For rulers (according to the true intent of their office), are not a terror to good works, but to the evil - `to the good work, but to the evil,' is plainly the true reading х too (G3588) agathoo (G18) ergoo (G2041) ... kakoo (G2556)].
Wilt thou then (have cause to) not be afraid of the power? ('authority.') Do that which is good, and thou shalt ('wilt') have praise of the same. Doubtless, this was written before Nero had stretched forth his hands against the Christians; for though, as Alford remarks, this would not have affected the general principles here taught, it could hardly have failed to modify the phraseology.