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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." For when he has given a deep wound, and stricken them down, he again uses gentler treatment, like a wise physician, who applies soothing medicines, and he comforts them, and says, why be afraid? why shudder? For does he punish a person that is doing well? Or is he terrible to a person who lives in the practice of virtue? Wherefore also he proceeds, "Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
What are you afraid of and why do you tremble? Does the ruler rebuke you if you do good? Is he fearsome to you if you are zealous for virtue? On the contrary, if you do good, the ruler is appointed to praise you. He is so far from instilling fear in you that he even praises you.
Clement of Alexandria
For if rulers are not a terror to a good work, how shall God, who is by nature good, be a terror to him who sins not? "If thou doest evil, be afraid," says the apostle. Wherefore the apostle himself also in every case uses stringent language to the Churches, after the Lord's example; and conscious of his own boldness, and of the weakness of his hearers, he says to the Galatians: "Am I your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Thus also people in health do not require a physician, do not require him as long as they are strong; but …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Then, when he says, for rulers, he assigns the reason for what he had said. First, he presents the reason; second, from this reason he draws a useful teaching, at do you will then to not fear the power?; third, he shows the necessity of this teaching, at but if you do evil. …
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