Paul makes these about government, even though he was living under the repressive Roman Empire:  ¹Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Romans 13:1-4.  "bear the sword" means the right to use death as a punishment.

After the flood, God says this to Noah:  ⁶ "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God has God made man. Genesis 9:6.  Since people are made in God's image, they are so precious that killing them must be punished.
 

Discussion topics:
1.  Does the Bible condemn or permit capital punishment?  Explain your answer.
2.  In these verses, what are the limits on when to use capital punishment?

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