1 Peter 2 · Verse 13

1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1 Peter 2:13, King James Version

1 Peter 2:13 in other translations

BSBSubmit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
WEBTherefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme,
ASVBe subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
YLTBe subject, then, to every human creation, because of the Lord, whether to a king, as the highest,
DARBYBe in subjection therefore to every human institution for the Lord's sake; whether to the king as supreme,
BBEKeep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all,
WebsterSubmit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

What does 1 Peter 2:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. every ordinance of man--"every human institution" [Alford], literally, "every human creation." For though of divine appointment, yet in the mode of nomination and in the exercise of their authority, earthly governors are but human institutions, being of men, and in relation to men. The apostle speaks as one raised above all human things. But lest they should think themselves so ennobled by faith as to be raised above subordination to human authorities, he tells them to submit themselves for the sake of Christ, who desires you to be subject, and who once was subject to earthly rulers Himself, though having all things subject to Him, and whose honor is at stake in you as His earthly representatives. Compare Ro 13:5, "Be subject for conscience' sake." king--The Roman emperor was "supreme" in the Roman provinces to which this Epistle was addressed. The Jewish zealots refused obedience. The distinction between "the king as supreme" and "governors sent by him" implies that "if the king command one thing, and the subordinate magistrate another, we ought rather to obey the superior" [Augustine in Grotius]. Scripture prescribes nothing upon the form of government, but simply subjects Christians to that everywhere subsisting, without entering into the question of the right of the rulers (thus the Roman emperors had by force seized supreme authority, and Rome had, by unjustifiable means, made herself mistress of Asia), because the de facto governors have not been made by chance, but by the providence of God.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. Gr., "to every creation of man," (ανθρωπινηκτισει.) The meaning is, to every institution or appointment of man; to wit, of those who are in authority, or who are appointed to administer government. The laws, institutes, and appointments of such a government may be spoken of as the creation of man; that is, as what man makes. Of course, what is here said must be understood with the limitation everywhere implied, that what is ordained by those in authority is not contrary to the law of God. Acts 4:19. On the general duty here enjoined of subjection to civil authority, Rom 13:1-7. For the Lord's sake. Because he has required it, and has intrusted this power to civil rulers. Rom 13:6. Comp. Eph 6:7. Whether it be to the king. It has been commonly supposed that there is reference here to the Roman emperor, who might be called king, because in him the supreme power resided. The common title of the Roman sovereign was, as used by the Greek writers, αυτοκρατωρ, and among the Romans themselves, imperator, (emperor;) but the title king was also given to the sovereign. Jn 19:15, "We have no king but Cesar." Acts 17:7, "And these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus." Peter undoubtedly had particular reference to the Roman emperors, but he uses a general term, which would be applicable to all in whom the supreme power resided, and the injunction here would require submission to such authority, by whatever name it might be called. The meaning is, that we are to be subject to that authority whether exercised by the sovereign in person, or by those who are appointed by him.

As supreme. Not supreme in the sense of being superior to God, or not being subject to him, but in the sense of being over all subordinate officers.

(a) "yourselves" Mt 22:21, Rom 13:1-7

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man - In every settled state, and under every form of political government, where the laws are not in opposition to the laws of God, it may be very soundly and rationally said: "Genuine Christians have nothing to do with the laws but to obey them." Society and civil security are in a most dangerous state when the people take it into their heads that they have a right to remodel and change the laws. See the whole of this subject fully handled in the notes on Rom 13:1, etc., to which I beg every reader, who may wish to know the political sentiments of this work, to have recourse. The words παση ανθρωπινη κτισει literally signify, not every ordinance of man, but every human creature; yet κτιζειν signifies sometimes to arrange, order, as well as to create, and therefore our translation may do: but as the apostle is evidently speaking here of magistracy, or legislative authority, and as the appointment of magistrates was termed a creating of them, it is better to understand the words thus, All the constituted authorities. So, Decem tribunos plebis per pontificem creaverunt; Cor. Nep. "They created ten tribunes of the plebeians, by the high priest." Carthagine quotannis annui bini reges creabantur; Caesar. "They created two kings every year at Carthage." Consules creantur Caesar et Servilius; Sallust. "Caesar and Servilius are created consuls." Creare ducem gerendo bello. "To create a general to conduct the war." The meaning of St. Peter appears to be this: the Jews thought it unlawful to obey any ruler that was not of their own stock; the apostle tells them they should obey the civil magistrate, let him be of what stock he may, whether a Jew or a Gentile, and let him exercise the government in whatsoever form. This is the general proposition: and then he instances emperors and their deputies; and, far from its being unlawful for them to obey a heathen magistrate, they were to do it for the Lord's sake, δια τον Κυριον, on account of the Lord, whose will it was, and who commanded it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 2:13-17
A Christian conversation must be honest; which it cannot be, if there is not a just and careful discharge of all relative duties: the apostle here treats of these distinctly. Regard to those duties is the will of God, consequently, the Christian's duty, and the way to silence the base slanders of ignorant and foolish men. Christians must endeavour, in all relations, to behave aright, that they do not make their liberty a cloak or covering for any wickedness, or for the neglect of duty; but they must remember that they are servants of God.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Peter 2:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὙποτάγητεHupotagētedo be subjectedG5293
οὖνounthereforeG3767
πάσῃpasēto everyG3956
ἀνθρωπίνῃanthrōpinēhumanG442
κτίσειktiseiinstitutionG2937
διὰdiafor the sake ofG1223
τὸνtontheG3588
κύριον·kurionLord;G2962
εἴτεeitewhetherG1535
βασιλεῖbasileito [the] kingG935
ὡςhōsasG5613
ὑπερέχοντι·huperechontibeing supreme;G5242

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Peter 2:13

  • Titus 3:1

    Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

  • Romans 13:1-7

    Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. …

  • 1 Timothy 2:1-2

    I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

  • Luke 20:25

    And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

  • Proverbs 24:21

    My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

  • Jeremiah 29:7

    And 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.

  • Matthew 22:21

    They say unto him, Cesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

  • Mark 12:17

    And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

  • Ephesians 5:21

    Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    But 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.

  • Proverbs 17:11

    An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

  • Jude 1:8-10

    Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pr 17:11; 24:21; Jer 29:7; Mt 22:21; Mr 12:17; Lu 20:25; Ro 13:1-7
Eph 5:21; 1Ti 2:1,2; Tit 3:1; 2Pe 2:10; Jude 1:8-10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Peter 2:12

    Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

  • 1 Peter 2:13

    Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

  • 1 Peter 2:14

    Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Read all of 1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Sed pues sujetos á toda ordenación humana por respeto á Dios: ya sea al rey, como á superior;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Soyez donc soumis à tout ordre humain pour l’amour du Seigneur, soit au roi comme étant au-dessus de tous,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Unterwerfet euch nun aller menschlichen Einrichtung um des Herrn willen: es sei dem Könige als Oberherrn,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Subjecti igitur estote omni humanæ creaturæ propter Deum: sive regi quasi præcellenti: