ekdikos describes one who acts against wrongdoing, whether the Lord or a governing servant.

The two occurrences portray an agent acting against wrongdoing: the Lord in connection with exploiting a brother, and God's servant in connection with evil and wrath.

1. Agent acting against wrongdoing · dominant

   In 1 Thessalonians 4:6, the nominative singular masculine form occurs in the warning not to transgress or exploit a brother; the APB renders the clause with the Lord as “the avenger concerning all these things.” In Romans 13:4, the same form describes God's servant in the context of evil, fear, the sword, and wrath; the APB renders it “an avenger for wrath against the one who does evil.”

   1 Thessalonians 4:6Romans 13:4

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses “the avenger” for the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 4:6 and “an avenger” for God's servant in Romans 13:4. These renderings confirm the clauses' presentation rather than isolate the term mechanically.