1 Peter 2:13-15

Submission to Authorities

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.

[2:13]  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.

[2:14]  ² tn Grk “those sent by him.”

[2:14]  ³ tn Grk “for the punishment…and the praise.”

[2:15]  ⁴ tn Grk “because thus it is God’s will.”