2:13 Be subject to every human institution 1 for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme 2:14 or to governors as those he commissions 2 to punish wrongdoers and praise 3 those who do good. 2:15 For God wants you 4 to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.
1 tn Or “every human being”; Grk “every human creation,” denoting either everything created for mankind (NRSV mg: “every institution ordained for human beings”) or every creature who is human. The meaning of the verb “be subject” and the following context supports the rendering adopted in the text.
2 tn Grk “those sent by him.”
3 tn Grk “for the punishment…and the praise.”
4 tn Grk “because thus it is God’s will.”