Submit to the gov

¹³ Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.¹

This is a hard thing in this nation today. How do you obey leaders who are not into the bible. How do you allow leaders who support the killing of babies and gay marriage. It is my thinking that you do not obey laws that go against the bible. If the bible speaks to it that the law not the governments

¹⁸ So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” ²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.²

In fact, they should not only see our good works; our honorable (honest) conduct should result in their glorifying God. As Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

“Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (v. 15). As Peter continues on the theme of living good lives before others, he provides a list of specific examples of how that kind of lifestyle should be carried out in day-to-day living.

He begins by saying that we should submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake (v. 13). This should be done in response to a leader of civil government when he is supreme, to governors, or to the representatives of the supreme ruler who are sent to punish evildoers and to praise those who do good.

Of course, Peter is writing within the context of the reign of Nero, the emperor of Rome. He is stating clearly that we should do all that we can to obey civil authorities. However, this does not mean that we violate the “higher laws” of God nor the lordship of Jesus Christ. It was Peter himself when standing on trial before the Sanhedrin who said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

When man’s laws come into conflict with God’s laws, we must always go with God. Lordship sometimes requires civil disobedience. He is our Lord and King. We are His servants. We are citizens of His kingdom.

2. Live as free persons (v. 16). Jesus Christ has invited us to enjoy the life of freedom. Only in Christ can we be truly free. When we know Him, we know truth personified and the truth will make us free (John 8:32). But, the freedom that comes from Jesus Christ is not to be used as “a cloak for vice” (v. 16)—an excuse for sin. As Paul wrote, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh” (Gal. 5:13). In fact, the freedom or liberty which comes from Christ cannot be used as an excuse for sin. As soon as we misuse it for those ends, we shall lose it and once again we are entangled with the slavery to sin. Authentic freedom is ours only when we walk in the Spirit; only when Jesus Christ is reigning as the Lord of our lives.

The highest calling of life is to use our liberty as servants of Jesus Christ (v. 16). The freedom and liberty which come from Him continue to flow as we serve Him and others—as we continue in the flow of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Liberty misused is like a mighty river flooding its banks and bringing terrible destruction upon all in its path. Liberty used as service is like a mighty river flowing within its banks bringing life and refreshment to all who drink of its waters.

Love is central to this kind of lifestyle. As Paul wrote, “Do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal. 5:13–14).

3. Live as servants of God (vv. 16–17). Peter continues his teaching on the important subject of being servants of God by listing several specific examples of how we must do that. Again, he is writing within the context of acute suffering by Christian brothers and sisters at the hand of Rome and at the hand of the established religious rulers of Israel.

“Honor all people” (v. 17). The word “honor” (timáō) is the same word Jesus uses in telling us to honor our father and mother (Matt. 15:4), and that we should honor the Son even as we honor the Father (John 5:23). This is a mark of authentic Christian lifestyle—that we honor all people as our Lord does. We never violate others nor use them as objects. We are to love and honor them.

“Love the brotherhood” (v. 17). Agape love must flow freely and generously from the lives of true Christians. It is another mark of authentic Christian lifestyle that we love one another. As Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

“Fear God” (v. 17). To fear God (phobéomai) is “to revere or reverence Him”— “to be in awe in His presence.” It means “to be put in fear or fright,” “to be afraid.” It is the word which describes the fear of the disciples when the storm arose, and they were alone in the boat (John 6:19).

To appropriately fear God is one of the greatest needs of the contemporary church. We have made Him all too familiar. We have tended to create Him in our own image as “the man upstairs,” “the good guy,” or “the good Lord.” We need to see the Lord high and lifted up in all of His glory and might, and then to bow in awe in His presence, to revere and worship Him.

“Honor the king” (v. 17). The same word is used here for honor (timáō) as is used earlier in verse 17 in encouraging us to honor all people. It is natural for us to honor a good king or a ruler whom we respect. However, Peter is asking his readers to honor no one less than Nero himself. That is another mark of authentic Christian lifestyle—to love and honor even the tyrants of our society, those who would abuse and persecute us (Matt. 5:44).³

2:13 submit yourselves.“Submit” is a military term meaning “to arrange in military fashion under the commander,” “to put oneself in an attitude of submission.” As citizens in the world and under civil law and authority, God’s people are to live in a humble, submissive way in the midst of any hostile, godless, slandering society (cf. vv. 21–23; Prov. 24:21; Jer. 29:4–14; Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1ff., 1 Tim. 2:1; Heb. 10:32–34). for the Lord’s sake. Though the Christian’s true citizenship is in heaven, (Phil. 3:20) he still must live as an obedient citizen in this world so that God will be honored and glorified. Rebellious conduct by a Christian brings dishonor on Christ. See notes on Rom. 13:1–5; Titus 3:1, 2.

2:14 governors. Christians are to live in obedience to every institution of civil and social order on earth. This includes obedience to the national government (v. 13, “king”), the state government, the police, and judges. Only when the government tries to force a Christian to do what is against the law of God explicitly stated in Scripture, should he refuse to submit (cf. Acts 4:18–20; 5:28, 29; Titus 1:6; 3:1, 2).⁴

Mad Nero was just coming to the throne in Rome as the new emperor. The Roman Empire boasted itself that it gave justice to man. However, it was like every other government, including our own. The poor man has never had a fair chance. The rich man has always been able to buy lawyers who were smart enough to evade the law. The poor man is the one who has the problems with the law.

Then what should be the believer’s relationship to the law? He is to obey the law. That is what Peter is saying here—“submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” Since they were under Roman law, they were to obey it. Although Rome intended that their laws should be just, they were not. Remember that Roman law crucified Christ and persecuted the early Christians; yet Rome boasted loudly about justice. It sounds like modern America where religion—that is, the preaching of the Word of God—is very politely being suppressed. Are we to rebel against the government? No. We are to obey the laws of the land.

For so is the will of God, that with well–doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men [1 Pet. 2:15].

When the Christian submits to government and to those who are in authority over his life, he is again revealing the praises of God through his life. I have never accepted joyfully a traffic ticket, but I pay my fine and try to be more careful to obey the laws. We are to be obedient to the law because we are giving a testimony.

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God [1 Pet. 2:16].

The relationship of the believer to other people is a testimony which speaks louder than the message from the pulpit. You see, the believer in Christ has a liberty which the man outside of Christ does not have. Believers have a marvelous liberty in Christ Jesus. I personally believe that I could go places and see things which the average Christian could not. Although I don’t think I would be hurt by them, I avoid them because of my testimony. I don’t want to use my liberty as a cloak of maliciousness; that is, I don’t want my weaker brother to be hurt by what I do. We must remember that although we are free, we are the servants of God.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king [1 Pet. 2:17].

“Honour all men.” A Christian should respect other human beings. He doesn’t say to love all men—believe me, some of them are very unlovely!

“Love the brotherhood.” While we respect all men, we are to love the brotherhood, meaning other believers.

“Fear God.” Certainly we as believers are to reveal by our lives that we are God–fearing people.

“Honour the king.” We owe an honor to the office of the man who rules over us. I have never voted for a president whom I really wanted. I have always voted against the other candidate. I have never known a president who I felt was really capable. However, regardless of who is president and regardless of his inability, he should be honored because of his office. I am not impressed by some Scripture–spouting, pious individuals who attack the president of the United States. The office is to be honored.⁵

1 The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Pe 2:13–17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

2 The New King James Version. (1982). (Ac 4:18–21). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3 Cedar, P. A., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1984). James / 1 & 2 Peter / Jude (Vol. 34, pp. 144–146). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

4 MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1943). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

5 McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (1 Peter) (electronic ed., Vol. 54, pp. 57–59). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.