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A man never paid income tax. He went to jail twice because of his stand. I once asked him about Romans 13 and the responsibility God commands there to submit, just as He does here in 1 Peter 2:13. He got quite animated and even angry as he spoke of the illegal things our government had done. The first illegal act was instituting income tax. He then cited how they used the money to fund government programs like Planned Parenthood, which of course funds abortions.

How do we balance obedience as required here, while not going against other Scriptural commands? Our purpose- to see this injunction as it relates to the culture of Peter’s day and our day.

As Peter writes to saints in his day they suffered physical harm, loss of loved ones, loss of property, and jobs. This came straight from the government. Yet Peter commands two responses to this circumstance. Believers were commanded to submit (v. 13-16) and to serve (v. 16-17).

I. WE ARE COMMANDED TO SUBMIT v.13-16

The word “submit” is a military term meaning “to subordinate, obey, put under.” It is an aorist passive verb, suggesting a once for all attitude of allowing subjection to be your response. This submission could be characterized in a four-fold way.

A. The Measure of Submission “…to every human institution, whether to a king…or to governors as sent by him…”v. 13-14

This submission was to every human “institution” or “creation, formation, or ordinance.” The king, in this case, would have been one of the Caesars, Nero. Nero, about the time of this letter, burned a portion of Rome and blamed Christians for it. Nero used this as a reason to kill Christians. He mounted believers on poles, doused them with flammable materials, and set them aflame to light the roadways at night. Peter admonishes saints to submit to a king who was morally depraved, and hated Christians.

Along with submission to Nero was the inclusion of those sent by him “for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” This would include leaders such as Pilate and Herod. Then you could add to these the military leaders. Their responsibility is to punish wrong and praise those who do right. This whole government system was corrupt because of lost men in positions of authority. Yet Peter clearly states we are to submit to each level of government, no matter what they are doing wrong. In other words we submit to the position and not to the person. This does not mean one blindly obeys a law that goes against the Lord or His word.

In our country we live in a republic, supposedly with certain freedoms under the bill of rights. We have certain laws which are contrary to Scripture, such as legalized abortion. Now the law does not mandate abortions as some countries do. We have legal appeals in our country to attempt to change laws. Another important issue is that we are only accountable for submitting to government; I am not responsible for what authority does with their position. In our country we can vote people out of office who pervert government. We noted at the outset a man who refused to pay income tax because of how the government spent the money. We are accountable only for paying the tax. Those who designate where the money is spent are accountable for their actions.

B. The Motivation of Submission “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake…for such is the will of God…” v. 13; 15

The true motivation of the child of God is his response to the Lord. We submit as unto the Lord. It is for His sake that we live submissively under the authority of government. Further, because of God’s sovereignty in raising up one nation and bringing down another we can submit. His sovereignty also impacts our obedience, for we ultimately obey His will over us. Romans 13:2 states that one opposing authority actually resists the Lord. The only motivation which keeps one on track is the reality of knowing our responses are “as unto the Lord.”

C. The Mission of Submission “…that you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.” v. 15

Romans followed the lead of their Caesar in hating and falsely accusing Christians. Strange rumors circulated about the practices of believers. Peter’s solution for Christians to submit would “silence” or “muzzle” those who lacked knowledge about the truth.

There are those in our culture who see so-called Christians on TV demonstrating against something and they always look so angry. Rumors circulate in our day about believers and it is not based on facts. So many cults and other groups claim to be Christian that it muddies the true picture. If we live as anarchists then our testimony will be further diluted in our day.

D. The Mentality of Submission “As free men do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” v. 16

As God’s bondservant we obey Him as a priority. As those who are free in Christ we never use our liberty for personal fulfillment. Our freedom liberates each believer to serve others. Thus the mentality of submission is of a servant looking for ways to serve his Master. We are free from focusing on ourselves in order to focus on the needs of others. In this context we have freedom to serve in the area of submission.

As this verse indicates many today use liberty as an excuse for “evil” or “depravity, wickedness, or badness.” In this context it would include insubordination toward authority as well as mistreatment of those who persecute believers. Liberty in Christ can never be used for licensing sin.

II. WE ARE COMMANDED TO SERVE v. 16-17

Verse 16 fits in both areas of this paragraph. It concludes the imperative of submission, and introduces the area of responding to people. As noted we were freed by the Lord not to cling to liberty for personal satisfaction, but to reach out to others. Our attitudes toward others are set forth in verse 17 with four commands.

A. Honoring People “Honor all people…” v. 17

The word “honor” is the word for “placing value upon, to prize, to revere.” It is in the aorist tense signifying a settled attitude of honor. “All” stands alone meaning “whosoever, all, any, every, and the whole.” Thus “all people” is understood as the recipients of this honor. Serving involves ways of showing respect to people in spite of their sin.

The lady who initiated the Roe versus Wade case which brought abortion to our country was lost. She worked at an abortion clinic in Dallas TX. Not far from this clinic was an evangelical crisis pregnancy center. One of the ladies from the center began to befriend her and over time introduced her to other workers at the center. Eventually because of the love and concern of those Christians “Jane Roe” came to Christ. Showing her respect opened the door for sharing Christ with her.

B. Loving Brothers “…love the brotherhood…”

The word “love” is “agape,” that sacrificial love which God has for us. This imperative is in the present tense. Why does loving the brethren come in this section dealing with government and silencing ignorant speculation of lost people? Perhaps Peter recalls the word of the Lord on their last night prior to the cross. John recorded those words for us in 13:35, “By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Peter also saw first hand how loving one another affected unbelievers. Acts 2:43-47 tells how the brethren shared with one another financially and as a result they had “favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” The consistent sacrificial love for one another attracts the lost.

C. Fearing God “…fear God…”

The present active imperative is the Greek word “phobeo,” which was used earlier in 1:17. It means “to frighten, reverence, be in awe.” Again we wonder why this is included as part of this section? The fear of God protects against the fear of man. As people see believers with a consistent, confident, and courageous faith they can be won to the Lord. No doubt that reverential faith had by Stephen influenced a man by the name of Saul.

D. Honoring Authority “…honor the king.”

The same word as earlier in the verse, but this is in the present tense. Believers are commanded to esteem or value the king. In this case it was Nero, the hater of Christians. Instead of attacking him with words or demonstrations, Christians were to speak with honor. Again, this is the honor due one’s position.

Today we are not told to avoid speaking of Christ. We have many freedoms in our country which are under attack. We need to vote as citizens. We can write our letters or make calls. However, we must be careful to show honor to those in authority.