For the Lord’s Sake (1 Peter 2:13–17)

How should believers respond to the social structures of the day? Since God is their Lord, should they ignore human and governmental institutions? Peter argues here that believers should submit to the King and those governing authorities appointed by Him. Of course, everything we do should be for the glory of the Lord and the good of His kingdom! But Peter was careful to point out that Christians in society are representatives of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to “advertise God’s virtues”. This is especially true when it comes to our relationship to government and people in authority.

I. As Christian citizens, we should submit to the authority vested in human government.

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

A. The word translated “ordinance” simply means “creation or institution.”

This does not refer to each individual law, but to the institutions that make and enforce the laws. It is possible to submit to the institutions and still disobey the laws. For example, when Daniel and his three friends refused to obey the king’s dietary regulations, they disobeyed the law; but the way that they did it proved that they honored the king and respected the authorities.

They were not rebels; they were careful not to embarrass the official in charge or get him into trouble; and yet they stood their ground. They glorified God and, at the same time, honored the authority of the king. Peter and the other Apostles faced a similar challenge shortly after Pentecost. The Jewish council commanded them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, but Peter and his associates refused to obey

B. They were not rebels.

Peter and the other Apostles did not cause a rebellion or in any way question or deny the authority of the council. They submitted to the institution but they refused to stop preaching. They showed respect to their leaders even though these men were opposed to the Gospel.

Daniel and his three friends were careful not to embarrass the official in charge or get him into trouble; and yet they stood their ground. They glorified God and, at the same time, honored the authority of the king.

II. It is important that we respect the office even though we cannot respect the person in the office.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men

A. As much as possible, we should seek to cooperate with the government.

We are to obey the law; but we must never allow the law to make us violate our conscience or disobey God’s Word.

When a local church constructs a building, there are local codes that must be obeyed. The government has no right to control the pulpit or the business meeting, but it has every right to control matters that relate to local building codes. If the law requires a certain number of exits, or fire extinguishers, or emergency lights, the church must comply. The state is not persecuting when it sets up the code, nor is the church compromising when it obeys the code.

B. Peter did not criticize the Roman government or suggest that it be overthrown.

God’s church has been able to live and grow in all kinds of political systems.

Ideally, the government should punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. This was not always reached in Peter’s day, nor is it reached in our own. Again, we must remind ourselves to respect the office even if we cannot respect the officer.

III. As Christians, we must exercise discernment in our relationship to human government.

16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

A. “the will of God” and “the servants of God”

When we do something in the will of God and as the servants of God, then we are doing it “for the Lord’s sake.” God has willed that we silence the critics by doing good, not by opposing the authority. Someone may argue, “But, as Christians, are we not free?” Yes, we are free in Christ; but we must never use our freedom for ourselves. We must always use it for others. Sad to say, there are “religious racketeers” who prey on ignorant people and use “religion” to veil their evil actions.

If we are sincerely submitted to authority “for the Lord’s sake,” then we will show honor to all who deserve it. We may not agree with their politics or their practices, but we must respect their position. We will also “love the brotherhood,” meaning, of course, the people of God in the church.

B. “Fear God” and “honor the king”

As Christians, we must exercise discernment in our relationship to human government. There are times when the right thing is to set aside our own privileges, and there are other times when using our citizenship is the right thing.

We honor the king because we do fear the Lord. It is worth noting that the tenses of these verbs indicate that we should constantly maintain these attitudes. “Keep loving the brotherhood! Keep fearing God! Keep honoring the king!”