Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
- KJV Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
- NKJV Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,
- NASB Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
- NLT For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
For the Lord's sake, believers are to submit to every human authority, including the supreme ruler. Christian freedom expresses itself in voluntary, God-honoring submission to legitimate authority.
Overview
Peter begins instructions on submission with civil authority, urging subjection 'for the Lord's sake'—out of obedience to God, not mere expedience. Governing structures, even the emperor, are part of the order God has established. This counsel guided a vulnerable church to live peaceably, while the broader biblical witness still places ultimate allegiance with God when rulers command sin.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Titus 3:1Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
- Rom 13:1–7Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
- 1 Tim 2:1–2First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—
- Luke 20:25So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
- Prov 24:21My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
- Jer 29:7Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
- Mark 12:17Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
- Matt 22:21“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
- Eph 5:21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
- 2 Pet 2:10Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
- Prov 17:11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
- Jude 1:8–10Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The lamb without blemish foreknown before the world, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, by whose wounds we are healed — the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
How 1 Peter 2:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.