Submission to Authority in 1 Peter 2:13-25
First Peter 2:13–25 instructs believers on submission to various forms of human authority, framing it as an act "for the Lord's sake" [1, 2]. This passage is part of a larger section (2:13–3:7) that addresses how Christians should interact with authority figures in government, the workplace, and the home [4].
The passage begins with a general command to "submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution" [1, 2]. This includes kings as supreme authorities and governors sent by them to punish evildoers and praise those who do good [1, 2]. The apostle Peter emphasizes that such submission is God's will, intended to silence the ignorance of foolish people [1, 2]. While Christians are free, their freedom should not be used as a cover for evil, but rather as servants of God [1, 2]. This instruction aligns with other New Testament teachings, such as Romans 13:1-7, which also calls for submission to governing authorities, noting that their power is from God [6, 8]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, explains that obedience to rulers is rendered to God himself, as their power originates from God [5].
Peter then applies this principle to household servants, instructing them to be subject to their masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust [7]. This instruction is particularly notable because it addresses those who might be suffering unjustly [7]. Peter points to Christ's suffering as an example, noting that Christ endured injustice without retaliation, leaving an example for believers to follow [1, 2]. Christ's suffering, though undeserved, served a redemptive purpose, bearing sins on the cross so that believers might die to sin and live for righteousness [1, 2]. This section concludes by reminding believers that they "were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" [1, 2].
This teaching on submission is part of a broader "household code" tradition found in early Christian writings, which provided instructions for different members of a household, including wives and husbands (1 Peter 3:1-7) [3, 4]. The emphasis on submission is not merely out of fear but out of conscience and reverence for God [6].
Sources
- 1 Peter “1 Peter 2:13 (NASB) — Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:13 (BSB) — Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:1: 3:1-7 The last of Peter’s three exhortations about accepting authority (2:13–3:7) concerns wives and husbands (cp. Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19). 3:1 accept the authority of (literally submit to): Wives are instructed to acknowledge that God has appointed the husband as head of the relationship (see 2:13; Eph 5:22-25). Submission in the ancient world took the form of obedience (see 1 Pet 3:6). God also intends the husband to be a loving and respectful head (3:7; see Eph 5:25-30). However, Peter focuses especially on wives with pagan husbands who would potentially be h”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:13: 2:13–3:7 This section revolves around the key phrase submit to all human authority, which Peter applies to several relationships: Christians should accept the authority of those in government (2:13-17), Christian slaves should accept the authority of their masters (2:18-25), and Christian wives should accept the authority of their husbands (3:1-6). Peter seems to be following an early Christian usage of the traditional household code, in which a series of instructions was given for different members of the household (cp. Eph 5:21–6:9; Col 3:18–4:1; 1 Tim 5:1–6:2;”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 102: princes and governors, are not to be influenced merely by fear (just as those submit to an armed enemy who see vengeance ready to be executed if they resist), but because the obedience which they yield is rendered to God himself, inasmuch as their power is from God. I speak not of the men as if the mask of dignity could cloak folly, or cowardice, or cruelty, or wicked or flagitious manners, and thus acquire for vice the praise of virtue; but I say that the station itself is deserving of honour and reverence, and that those who rul”
- Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran) “Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran, 1529), Render: Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s. Matt. 22:21. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, etc. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom honor. Rom. 13:1,5ff. I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:18: Servants--Greek, "household servants": not here the Greek for "slaves." Probably including freedmen still remaining in their master's house. Masters were not commonly Christians: he therefore mentions only the duties of the servants. These were then often persecuted by their unbelieving masters. Peter's special object seems to be to teach them submission, whatever the character of the masters might be. Paul not having this as his prominent design, includes masters in his monitions. be subject--Greek, "being subject": the participle expresses a parti”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 13:1: 13:1-2 The basic command of 13:1-7 is to submit to governing authorities. In God’s ordering of the world, we answer to those in positions of authority. Our submission to them will usually take the form of obedience. However, because God stands over all governments, our submission to governing authorities must always be in terms of our ultimate submission to God (see Acts 4:19-20). The Roman Christians might have been resisting government (see study note on Rom 13:6) based on a false understanding of the Good News, as if no longer copying “the behavior and customs ”