1 Peter 2:11–12 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:13–17 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
God calls believers to be subject to civil authorities and use their freedom to serve others as a public witness
God calls believes to be subject to civil authorities What does it mean “be subject to”? 1 Peter 2:13–14 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
God calls believes to be subject to civil authorities To whom are we to be subject to? 1 Peter 2:13–14 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
God calls believes to be subject to civil authorities Reason #1: There is connection between God & human authority. 1 Peter 2:13–14 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
“ He also makes the point that while Christians are free from the tyranny of the state (after all, they are citizens of heaven), they are also free to uphold the law of the state as God’s servants, for the OT associated honouring those in authority with honouring God (Exod 22:28; 1 Kgs 21:10; Prov 24:21). ~ Adeyemo, Tokunboh. (2006). Africa Bible Commentary (p. 1547). Nairobi, Kenya; Grand Rapids, MI: WordAlive Publishers; Zondervan.
God calls believes to be subject to civil authorities Reason #2: They possess the sword of justice. 1 Peter 2:13–14 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Be subject to civil authorities as a public witness 1 Peter 2:15 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
God’s hope for our civil life 1 Timothy 2:1–3 1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior.
God calls believers to use their freedom to serve 1 Peter 2:16 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
REGARDING “SERVANT” one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his/her will being altogether consumed in the will of the other Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
Use freedom to serve others as a public witness 1 Peter 2:17 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
The statement is a comprehensive reference to all contexts in “ which a Christian lives: social, ecclesial, spiritual, and political… the thrust of the exhortation is clear: Christians must live well by giving each type of relationship its due. Jobes, Karen H. 1 Peter. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.
God calls believes to be subject to civil authorities What does it mean “be subject to”? 1 Peter 2:13–14 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? This precise rendering happens 2 other times James 4:7 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? This precise rendering happens 2 other times 1 Peter 5:5 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? The root word occurs 38 times in 31 verses by 5 different authors
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? The root word occurs 38 times in 31 verses by 5 different authors It is used to describe how one person/group/thing is to relate to another person/group/thing.
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? Some examples: Romans 8:20 – the creation was subjected to frustration Romans 10:3 – the Israelites did not submit to God’s righteousness 1 Cor. 15:27, 28 – God the Father has subjected all things under the feet of Christ and the Son will made made subject to the Father
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? What can we say definitively? • To “be subject to” does not speak to ontological value Luke 2:51 – Jesus was to be subject to his parents
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? What can we say definitively? • To “be subject to” does not speak to ontological value Luke 2:51 – Jesus was to be subject to his parents • But it does speak to a degree of authority Luke 10:17, 20 – the demons/spirits were subject to the disciples
What is the meaning of “be subject to”? What can we say definitively? • This authority has limits, which should be discerned from the context. Acts 5:27-32 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
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