1 Peter 2:13-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13-25

The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these distinctly. I. The case of subjects. Christians were not only reputed innovators in religion, but disturbers of the state; it was highly necessary, therefore, that the apostle should settle the rules and measures of obedience to the civil magistrate, which he does here, where, 1. The duty... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 2:13-15

2:13-15 Submit to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king, who has the first place, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of those whose deeds are evil and the praise of those whose deeds are good, for it is the will of God that by so doing you should muzzle the ignorance of foolish men. Peter looks at the duty of the Christian within the different spheres of his life; and he begins with his duty as a citizen of the country in which he happens to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man ,.... Or, "to every human creation", or "creature"; not to "all the sons of men", as the Syriac version renders it; or to all the individuals of mankind; for there are some that are in such stations and circumstances, that they are not to be submitted to, but to be ruled over, and governed: so kings are not to submit to their subjects, nor are parents to be subject to their children, nor husbands to their wives, nor masters to their servants, which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:14

Or unto governors ,.... Inferior magistrates, such as were under the Roman emperor; as proconsuls, procurators, &c.; such as Pontius Pilate, Felix, and Festus, who had under the emperor the government of particular nations, provinces, and cities: as unto them that are sent by him ; either by the king, the Roman emperor, by whom they were sent, from whom they received their commission, and derived their authority, under whom they acted, and to whom they were accountable; or by God, by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man - In every settled state, and under every form of political government, where the laws are not in opposition to the laws of God, it may be very soundly and rationally said: "Genuine Christians have nothing to do with the laws but to obey them." Society and civil security are in a most dangerous state when the people take it into their heads that they have a right to remodel and change the laws. See the whole of this subject fully handled in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:14

Or unto governors - By king as supreme, the Roman emperor is meant; and by governors, ἡγεμοσιν , are meant, leaders, governors, presidents, proconsuls, and other chief magistrates, sent by him into the provinces dependent on the Roman empire. For the punishment of evil doers - This was the object of their mission; they were to punish delinquents, and encourage and protect the virtuous. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:13

Verse 13 13Submit yourselves He now comes to particular exhortations: and as obedience with regard to magistrates is a part of honest or good conversation, he draws this inference as to their duty, “Submit yourselves,” or, Be ye subject; for by refusing the yoke of government, they would have given to the Gentiles no small occasion for reproaching them. And, indeed, the Jews were especially hated and counted infamous for this reason, because they were regarded on account of their perverseness... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:14

Verse 14 14Or unto governors, or, Whether to presidents. He designates every kind of magistrates, as though he had said, that there is no kind of government to which we ought not to submit. He confirms this by saying that they are God’s ministers; for they who apply him to the king, are greatly mistaken. There is then a common reason, which extols the authority of all magistrates, that they rule by the command of God, and are sent by him. It hence follows (as Paul also teaches us) that they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. The aorist passive ( ὑποτάγητε ) is used, as often, in a middle sense. The word for "ordinance" is κτίσις , which in classical Greek means "foundation," as of a city; but in the New Testament is used elsewhere only of the works of God, in the sense of "creation," or "a creature". Hence some, as De Wette, translate the words, "to every human creature," supporting their view by 1 Peter 5:5 . But on the whole this seems unlikely; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:14

Or unto governors, as ante them that are sent by him ; literally, through him . Some commentators, following Calvin, understand the pronoun of the Lord. Certainly, governors are sent through him; he "ordereth all things, both in heaven and earth." But it seems more natural in this place to refer the pronoun to the nearer substantive, the king; it was through the Roman emperor that the various governors, legates, etc., were sent from time to time (as the Greek present participle implies)... read more

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