For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
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;
- 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,
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 them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
- Rom 13:1–7Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
- 1 Tim 2:1–2I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:
- Luke 20:25He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
- Prov 24:21My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious:
- Jer 29:7Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to Yahweh for it; for in its peace you shall have peace.”
- Mark 12:17Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
- Matt 22:21They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
- Eph 5:21subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
- 2 Pet 2:10but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;
- Prov 17:11An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
- Jude 1:8–10Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.
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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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