13Submit yourselves to every human institution for the Lord's sake — whether to the king as supreme, [2:14] or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. [2:15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you silence the ignorance of foolish people. [2:16] Live as free people, yet not using your freedom as a cover for evil, but as servants of God. [2:17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. [2:18] Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all fear — not only to the good and gentle but also to the harsh. [2:19] For this is a gracious thing, if because of conscience toward God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [2:20] For what credit is there if when you sin and are beaten you endure it? But if when you do good and suffer you endure it, this finds favor with God.
1PE 2:13-20
Submission to Authorities
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman Empire, submission to authority was a cornerstone of social order, reinforced by the patronage system and the hierarchical structure of households. The term '' (submit) would have been familiar in contexts of military discipline, household codes, and civic obedience. Roman governors and local magistrates acted as agents of the emperor, maintaining order and punishing wrongdoing, often through harsh measures. Slaves ('') were integral to the household economy, and their submission to masters, even unjust ones, was expected to maintain societal stability. The '' (human institution) refers to these established systems of governance and social hierarchy, which were seen as divinely ordained by many Stoic and Jewish thinkers. The call to honor the emperor ('king') aligns with Roman imperial ideology, where loyalty to the emperor was equated with piety. Fear ('') here implies a respectful awe, not terror, reflecting the cultural expectation of reverence toward authority figures.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
1PE 2:13
- KJV
- Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
- BSB
- Submit yourselves for the Lordʼs sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
- Koinōnos
- Submit yourselves to every human institution for the Lord's sake — whether to the king as supreme,
1PE 2:14
- KJV
- Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
- BSB
- or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
- Koinōnos
- or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
1PE 2:15
- KJV
- For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
- BSB
- For it is Godʼs will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
- Koinōnos
- For this is the will of God, that by doing good you silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1PE 2:16
- KJV
- As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
- BSB
- Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
- Koinōnos
- Live as free people, yet not using your freedom as a cover for evil, but as servants of God.
1PE 2:17
- KJV
- Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
- BSB
- Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
- Koinōnos
- Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1PE 2:18
- KJV
- Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
- BSB
- Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
- Koinōnos
- Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all fear — not only to the good and gentle but also to the harsh.
1PE 2:19
- KJV
- For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
- BSB
- For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.
- Koinōnos
- For this is a gracious thing, if because of conscience toward God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1PE 2:20
- KJV
- For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
- BSB
- How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
- Koinōnos
- For what credit is there if when you sin and are beaten you endure it? But if when you do good and suffer you endure it, this finds favor with God.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.20.7
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.8.5
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.20.7
“And when he had considered that the Roman power became invincible, chiefly by their readiness in obeying orders, and the constant exercise of their arms, he despaired of teaching these his men the use of their arms”
Cited to ground: In the Roman Empire, submission to authority was a cornerstone of social order, reinforced by the patronage system and the hierarchical structure of households. The term '' (submit) would have been familiar in contexts of military discipline
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.8.5
“but did not discover his own meaning, but the commands of the emperor, and told them that his wrath would, without delay, be executed on such as had the courage to disobey what he had commanded”
Cited to ground: Roman governors and local magistrates acted as agents of the emperor, maintaining order and punishing wrongdoing, often through harsh measures.
Translator's notes
1PE 2:13
- do be subjected:The word translated 'do be subjected' implies a voluntary submission to an established order or authority, not necessarily a forced or unwilling subjugation.
- human:The word translated 'human' here literally means 'creation' or 'created thing,' emphasizing that all human institutions are part of the created order.
1PE 2:16
- servants.:The word translated 'servants' refers to a 'slave' or 'bondservant,' indicating a person bound to another, often without personal rights, rather than a hired employee.
1PE 2:18
- fear:The word translated 'fear' can encompass both terror and a profound reverence or awe, suggesting a respectful and cautious attitude towards authority.