1 Peter 2:13-3:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13-25

The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these distinctly. I. The case of subjects. Christians were not only reputed innovators in religion, but disturbers of the state; it was highly necessary, therefore, that the apostle should settle the rules and measures of obedience to the civil magistrate, which he does here, where, 1. The duty... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 2:13-15

2:13-15 Submit to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king, who has the first place, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of those whose deeds are evil and the praise of those whose deeds are good, for it is the will of God that by so doing you should muzzle the ignorance of foolish men. Peter looks at the duty of the Christian within the different spheres of his life; and he begins with his duty as a citizen of the country in which he happens to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man ,.... Or, "to every human creation", or "creature"; not to "all the sons of men", as the Syriac version renders it; or to all the individuals of mankind; for there are some that are in such stations and circumstances, that they are not to be submitted to, but to be ruled over, and governed: so kings are not to submit to their subjects, nor are parents to be subject to their children, nor husbands to their wives, nor masters to their servants, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man - In every settled state, and under every form of political government, where the laws are not in opposition to the laws of God, it may be very soundly and rationally said: "Genuine Christians have nothing to do with the laws but to obey them." Society and civil security are in a most dangerous state when the people take it into their heads that they have a right to remodel and change the laws. See the whole of this subject fully handled in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:13

Verse 13 13Submit yourselves He now comes to particular exhortations: and as obedience with regard to magistrates is a part of honest or good conversation, he draws this inference as to their duty, “Submit yourselves,” or, Be ye subject; for by refusing the yoke of government, they would have given to the Gentiles no small occasion for reproaching them. And, indeed, the Jews were especially hated and counted infamous for this reason, because they were regarded on account of their perverseness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. The aorist passive ( ὑποτάγητε ) is used, as often, in a middle sense. The word for "ordinance" is κτίσις , which in classical Greek means "foundation," as of a city; but in the New Testament is used elsewhere only of the works of God, in the sense of "creation," or "a creature". Hence some, as De Wette, translate the words, "to every human creature," supporting their view by 1 Peter 5:5 . But on the whole this seems unlikely; ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man - Greek, “to every creation of man,” (ἀνθρωπίνῃ κτίσει anthrōpinē ktisei The meaning is, to every institution or appointment of man; to wit, of those who are in authority, or who are appointed to administer government. The laws, institutes, and appointments of such a government may be spoken of as the creation of man; that is, as what man makes. Of course, what is here said must be understood with the limitation everywhere implied, that what is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Peter 2:13-15

1 Peter 2:13-15. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man Greek, παση ανθρωπινη κτισει , to every human constitution of government, under which you are placed by Divine Providence, and which is formed instrumentally by men, and relates to you as men, and not as Christians. Macknight translates the clause, Be subject to every human creation of magistrates; observing that “the abstract word creation is put for the concrete, the person created; just as governments and powers are... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:11-25

2:11-3:12 CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPSIn society (2:11-25)The present world is not the true home of those who have come into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. They are now God’s people and they belong to the heavenly kingdom. But their higher status and greater citizenship do not give them the right to do as they like in the present world. They must discipline and control themselves. Negatively, they must not give in to the desires of the sinful nature; positively, they must maintain right... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit . Same word in 1 Peter 2:18 (subject). ordinance . Greek. ktisis. Always translated "creature" or "creation", except Hebrews 9:11 and here. of man = human. Greek. anthropinos. See Romans 6:19 . for, &c . = on account of ( App-104 . 1 Peter 2:2 ) the Lord. supreme . Same as "higher", Rom 18:1 . read more