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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"For he is the minister of God to thee for good." So far is he from terrifying thee, he says, that he even praises thee: so far from being a hindrance to thee, that he even works with thee. When then thou hast his praise and his succor, how is it that thou art not in subjection to him? For he maketh virtue easier for thee in other ways also, by chastising the wicked, by benefiting and honoring the good, and by working together with the will of God. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
He, it says, assists the will of God. For example: God counsels you to be chaste, and the ruler prescribes the same through laws. God exhorts you not to be covetous and a thief, and the ruler is appointed as judge over the same. Consequently, he is our helper in good works, if we submit ourselves to him. So then, it is not the ruler who produces fear in us, but our own vices, on account of which the ruler's sword also exists, that is, the authority to punish. …
Irenaeus
As therefore the devil lied at the beginning, so did he also in the end, when he said, "All these are delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give them." For it is not he who has appointed the kingdoms of this world, but God; for "the heart of the king is in the hand of God." And the Word also says by Solomon, "By me kings do reign, and princes administer justice. …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Fourth, he assigns the reason, saying: for he is God's minister to you for good. This is clear in regard to the proper order of rulers. For they are under the authority of God, the supreme ruler, as his ministers: because as ministers of his kingdom, you did not rule rightly (Wis 6:4). But the ruler and the ministers work for the same end: like the magistrate of the people, so are his officials (Sir 10:2). Therefore, just as God works for the good of those who do good, so also do rulers, if they perform their office properly. …
Bonaventure
It is necessary to have a just intention, so that the man who is the minister of the law slays a man by law, not from the desire for vengeance, but from the love of justice. Whence the Apostle to the Romans, speaking to rulers, says that "the ruler does not bear the sword without cause. For he is the minister of God, an avenger unto wrath against him who does evil."
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