What does this passage mean, and break down the part bolded:
Romans 13:3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
Did you read the verses before that?
Romans 13 1-2 KJV
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation
Then what you've quoted
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 he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
These verses are talking about those who are strong in God speaking the word with power, and those who resist the power of God and don't listen to them. I'm talking about people who have never known God and never heard his word! Should those who have never known God, and could have had horrific lives be executed for what they do wrong? Really think about that, some of these people will have had horrific lives, some of them being very young and going through much pain, and never knowing or hearing about God, and many will be following the wrong example of their parents.
That's why it's so important to bring Gods love and word to others when we can. With the hope that they will listen and believe and turn from sin.
I've already said, i don't mean a sloppy happy clappy love, sometimes Gods love is a tough love and i know that. But he should be the only one taking life. We are not to kill, but to bring his life and love to others and let Christ in us do his work with the hope of him reconciling as many back to God as possible. Even those who some of you would see executed!
People seem to forget, it was these kind of people that Jesus came to save, he said, "they that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick, i came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." He was out among prostitute's, adulteresses, fraudsters, publicans, sinners, people filled with devil's, and all those who others would have looked down on. And these are the people who welcomed him more than his own!
And remember Paul, he persecuted Gods people, yet he became one of the strongest apostles and the thief was saved in his final hours.
So there's hope for everyone, execution isn't the way, Christ is. And bringing his love and life to all those in society who others despise!