Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
- BSB Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
- 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 3:1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
- Rom 13:1–7Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
- 1 Tim 2:1–2I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
- Luke 20:25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
- Prov 24:21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
- Jer 29:7And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
- Mark 12:17And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
- Matt 22:21They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
- Eph 5:21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
- 2 Pet 2:10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
- Prov 17:11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
- Jude 1:8–10Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
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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
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