Read & explore together
Submission to Authorities
This passage explains how believers are to live under human authority, use freedom rightly, honour others, and endure unjust suffering while continuing to do what is good.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses instruct believers to subject themselves to human ordinances for the Lord’s sake, naming the king and governors and describing their public role. The passage then connects well-doing with God’s will, defines freedom as service to God, gives short commands about honour and love, and addresses servants facing unjust suffering.
1 Peter 2:13–20Main takeaway
This passage calls believers to do good, honour others, and endure unjust suffering in a way shaped by reverence for God.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Submit for the Lord’s sakeThe passage says to subject yourselves to every human ordinance for the Lord’s sake. It names the king as supreme and governors as sent to punish evildoers and praise those who do well.
Explanation
The passage says to subject yourselves to every human ordinance for the Lord’s sake. It names the king as supreme and governors as sent to punish evildoers and praise those who do well. The reason given is not fear alone, but regard for the Lord.
02Doing good answers ignorant speechThe letter says this is God’s will: that by well-doing believers may silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Explanation
The letter says this is God’s will: that by well-doing believers may silence the ignorance of foolish people. The emphasis is on conduct. The passage does not describe an argument to win, but a pattern of good actions that answers false or empty accusations.
03Freedom with clear directionBelievers are told to live as free people. Yet freedom must not become a cover for wickedness.
Explanation
Believers are told to live as free people. Yet freedom must not become a cover for wickedness. Instead, they are to live as God’s bondservants. Four short commands then show what this looks like: honour all, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king.
04Respect and patient enduranceThe passage addresses servants, telling them to be subject with all respect, even under harsh masters.
Explanation
The passage addresses servants, telling them to be subject with all respect, even under harsh masters. It says enduring pain while suffering unjustly because of conscience toward God is commendable. It then distinguishes this from suffering for sin. Patient endurance while doing good is commended with God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does the passage say people should submit to human ordinances?
Look for the stated reason in the opening command and the role assigned to kings and governors.
02How does this passage describe the right use of freedom?
Notice both the warning about wickedness and the positive description of belonging to God.
03What kind of suffering is called commendable with God?
Compare suffering for sin with suffering endured patiently while doing good because of conscience toward God.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Peter 2:13–20
13Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme,
14or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
15For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16Live as free people, yet not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
17Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
19For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
20For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.