Commentary on 1 Peter 2:13-18, incorporating the emphasis on the Roman Empire's foreordination and its role in the spread of Christianity.
I Peter 2:13-18 (ESV)
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.1 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.2
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.3
Commentary:
This passage from 1 Peter addresses the conduct of believers within the societal structures of their time, emphasizing submission to human authorities and respectful behavior in various relationships. The overarching theme is living in a way that honors God and serves as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, even in challenging circumstances.
Submission to Human Institutions (vv. 13-15):
Peter begins by exhorting believers to "be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution." This command for submission is particularly significant given the context of the early church under the vast and powerful Roman Empire. For the Lord's sake, believers were to submit to "the emperor as supreme" and "governors as sent by him."
It is important to recognize that the rise and dominion of the Roman Empire were not accidental but were, in a profound sense, foreordained in the Old Testament prophets. Daniel's visions, for instance, depict a succession of world empires, culminating in a powerful fourth kingdom often understood to represent the Roman Empire (e.g., Daniel 2:40 ESV: "And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.").4 This prophetic foresight suggests God's sovereign hand in establishing this particular global power. The Hellenistic world, unified under Alexander the Great, eventually came under Roman dominion, creating a vast, interconnected realm.
While the Roman Empire was certainly not without its injustices and moral failings, it providentially served as an "ideal" governing body for the initial spread of Christianity. The Pax Romana (Roman Peace) provided a period of relative stability across the Mediterranean world, reducing the constant antagonism and warfare that characterized smaller, independent states. This stability, coupled with the extensive network of Roman roads and sea routes, significantly eased travel for missionaries like Paul. Furthermore, the widespread use of Koine Greek as a common language facilitated communication across diverse regions, allowing the message of the Gospel to be proclaimed and understood more readily than in a fragmented world of isolated dialects. A unified legal and administrative system also provided a degree of order that, despite its imperfections, allowed the early church to grow and organize without being constantly embroiled in local conflicts. Thus, the very structure of the Roman Empire, foreseen by the prophets, became a strategic instrument in God's plan for the rapid dissemination of the Christian faith.
The purpose of these governing authorities is divinely ordained: "to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good" (v. 14). This aligns with Paul's teaching in Romans 13:1-4 (ESV): "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that5 exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good."
Peter further clarifies the divine motivation for this conduct: "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people" (v. 15). By living6 exemplary lives, characterized by submission and good deeds, Christians could counteract false accusations and misunderstandings about their faith. Their righteous behavior was intended to be a powerful testimony.
Living as Free Servants of God (v. 16):
Verse 16 introduces a crucial balance: "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." Christian freedom,7 a release from the bondage of sin and legalism (see Galatians 5:1 ESV: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery"), is8 not a license for licentiousness or rebellion against order. Instead, true freedom in Christ expresses itself in willing service to God. Paul echoes this in Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
General Principles of Conduct (v. 17):
Peter then provides a concise set of four commands that encapsulate a Christian's social and spiritual obligations:
Submission of Servants (v. 18):
The final verse in this selection addresses "servants" (Greek: oiketai, often referring to household slaves). They are instructed to "be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust." This is perhaps the most challenging command in this passage for modern readers, given the abhorrent nature of slavery.
It's crucial to understand this instruction within its historical and redemptive context. The New Testament does not endorse slavery as an institution but provides guidance for believers living within that prevalent societal structure. The focus here is on the servant's attitude and behavior, reflecting Christ's own submission even to unjust treatment (as Peter will elaborate in verses 21-25). This instruction aimed to demonstrate the transformative power of faith even in oppressive situations, allowing the servant's conduct to be a witness. Paul gives similar instructions in Ephesians 6:5-8 (ESV) ("Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ...") and Colossians 3:22-25 (ESV).
The emphasis on submitting even to "the unjust" highlights the radical nature of Christian obedience. It is not contingent on the fairness of the authority but on the believer's commitment to God and their desire to live in a way that honors Him. This difficult teaching points towards a higher principle of enduring suffering for righteousness' sake, a theme Peter develops in the subsequent verses.
In summary, 1 Peter 2:13-18 calls believers to live lives of respectful submission to human authorities and within their societal roles, not as an end in itself, but "for the Lord's sake." This submission, particularly to the Roman Empire which God had providentially established and used for the spread of the Gospel, was a key aspect of their witness. This conduct, rooted in their freedom in Christ and lived out in service to God, is intended to be a powerful testimony that silences ignorance and glorifies God. The commands to honor all, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the emperor provide a framework for this Christ-like living, even in the face of injustice.