Could Romans 13:4 be support for the death penalty?

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SeanF1989

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[BIBLEDRB]For he is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil[/BIBLEDRB]
 
SeanF1989 said:
For he is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil
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Yes, if my understanding is correct, that passage is traditionally used to support the State’s right to (sometimes) administer the death penalty. It does not imply that the State has an unlimited right to execute anyone it wants whenever it wants, however. There are conditions for the right use of the death penalty. This passage does not specify most of those conditions, but it does not deny them either.
 
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