1 Peter 2:14

Contextual Overview

¹³Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, ¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, ¹³If you want to honor the Lord, do what those in authority on earth tell you to do. I don't care if he is a king, a governor, ¹³ Keep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all, ¹³ Be in subjection [therefore] to every human institution for the Lord's sake; whether to [the] king as supreme, ¹³ Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; ¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, Or to governors, ¹³ Submit, for the Lord's sake, to every authority set up by man, whether it be to the Emperor as supreme ruler, ¹³ Submit your selues to euery ordinance of man for the Lordes sake, whether it be to the King, as supreme,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

for the punishment: Romans 13:3, Romans 13:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:12 - General Judges 18:7 - magistrate 1 Samuel 10:25 - General 2 Chronicles 19:5 - General Nehemiah 13:21 - I will lay Isaiah 53:2 - he hath no Daniel 6:1 - Darius 1 Corinthians 11:17 - I praise 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - shamefully 2 Timothy 2:9 - as 1 Peter 4:2 - no 2 Peter 2:10 - despise

Cross-References

Genesis 10:11
From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah

Genesis 10:11
From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah

Genesis 10:11
From that land he went out to Assyria and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah,

Genesis 10:11
From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah,

Genesis 10:11
Out of that lande came Assur, and builded Niniue, and the citie Rehoboth, and Calah,

Genesis 10:11
Nimrod also went into Assyria. In Assyria, Nimrod built the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and

Genesis 10:11
From that land he went into Assyria, and built Nin'eveh, Reho'both-Ir, Calah, and

Genesis 10:11
Assur yede out of that lond, and bildide Nynyue, `and stretis of the citee,

Genesis 10:11
Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineueh, and the citie Rehoboth, and Calah,

Genesis 10:11
Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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 whom they are ordained, and whose ministers they are, and for the ends hereafter mentioned; so that this contains an argument or reason why they should be submitted to:

for the punishment of evildoers; the breakers of the laws of God and men, on whom punishment is to be inflicted, by the civil magistrates, for the breach of them, by lines, scourgings, imprisonment, and death itself, according as the crimes are:

and for the praise of them that do well; who behave according to the laws of God and nations, and are obedient to magistrates, and subject to every ordinance; these have praise of men, of magistrates, and are rewarded by them; by protecting their persons, defending their properties, and preserving them in the peaceable enjoyment of their estates and possessions; see Romans 13:3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Or unto governors - Subordinate officers, appointed by the chief magistrate, over provinces. Perhaps Roman proconsuls are here particularly intended.

As unto them that are sent by him - By the king, or the Roman emperor. They represent the supreme power.

For the punishment of evil doers - One of the leading ends of government. “The Roman governors had the power of life and death in such conquered provinces as those mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1“ - Doddridge. Ulpian, the celebrated Roman lawyer, who flourished two hundred years after Christ, thus describes the power of the governors of the Roman provinces: “It is the duty of a good and vigilant president to see to it that his province be peaceable and quiet. And that he ought to make diligent search after sacrilegious persons, robbers, man-stealers, and thieves, and to punish everyone according to their guilt.” Again, “They who govern whole provinces, have the power of sending to the mines.” And again,” The presidents of provinces have the highest authority, next to the emperor.” Peter has described the office of the Roman governors in language nearly resembling that of Ulpian. See Lardner’s Credibility, (Works, i. 77, edit. 8vo., Lond. 1829)

And for the praise of them that do well - Praise here stands opposed to punishment, and means commendation, applause, reward. That is, it is a part of their business to reward in a suitable manner those who are upright and virtuous as citizens. This would be by protecting their persons and property; by defending their rights, and, perhaps, by admitting those to share the honors and emoluments of office who showed that they were worthy to be trusted. It is as important a part of the functions of magistracy to protect the innocent, as it is to punish the wicked.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 14. Or unto governors — By king as supreme, the Roman emperor is meant; and by governors, ηγεμοσιν, 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.