What does this bible verse (1 Peter 2:13-17) mean to you?

Question

Everyone feel free to answer. I don't care what your beliefs are so long as you can read and offer up a good opinion! ;-)

1 Peter 2:13-17

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Answer 1

I take it to mean that even though a government may not be godly, it is implimented in place by God and not submitting to it's laws therefore is like not submitting to God. If we don't follow our country's laws we are not setting an example of a good Christian to others around us. We have freedom in Christ maybe not to follow some of those laws such as not wearing a seatbelt because we know we are in the Lord's protection, but we can't use our freedom and faith in the Lord in a way that dishonor God to others or make us lawbreakers. The brotherhood is fellow Christians, the king is probably the king of the land.

Answer 2

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority = always follow the leader of your country no matter how evil the deeds they put you to.


or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men = Freedom of speach is not something everyone is granted, speak against what the community you live in and you should be imprisoned and have those rights taken away.

16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. = you are free to do what you want so long as it is in gods honor

17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. = repeats all the above in 1 sentance, waste of time writing the rest then!

Answer 3

It would appear that Peter reconginzes that those who love each other unconditionally, recognize for the need for an Earthly authority. That Authority exists to ensure that order is maintained and that essential services are available to the citizens of the Nations. It also ensures that disputes can be settled in a loving and peaceful fashion by a wise and impartial civil authority. Peter is recognizing the fact that an impartial civil authority is essential to maintaining civil order. He recognizes the concept of the Freedom of Humans to do what ever is neccesary to conduct their daily affairs and live their lives. Verse 17 tells us that everyone is to love EVERYONE else, regardless of belief, political affiliation, race, gender, etc. That we are ALL part of the brotherhood of mankind and, as such, we are all entitled to the same rights as everyone else.

Emp, I'm so happy that you found something in the Bible that actually TELLS Christians that they need to actually care for everyone, even the non-believers. GOOD job, my friend.

Raji the Green Witch

Answer 4

It should be noted that the Bible does not mean that people are to submit to authorities that seek to compel people to go against what God has said, but in all other matters they are to submit.

The passage was written to tell early Christians that they should not rebel against pagan authorities or treat non-believers with contempt. Peter didn't want Christianity to get a bad name because people were filled with spiritual pride and thought that their relationship with God through Jesus Christ was a license to ignore the civil authorities or to treat others with contempt.

Answer 5

this is right. and for this reason Christ instructed the thief that hung next to him on the circulate, "in the present day thou shalt be with me in paradise." Christ wasn't giving a loose bypass to heaven in spite of everything of the thievery that guy might desire to have achieved. yet, Christ replaced into going to grant him a risk, as a million Peter 3:19, a risk to pay attention the gospel interior the spirit international. it extremely is all got here across interior the Bible. it extremely is thrilling to me that many omit this or misunderstand this. possibly for this reason Mormons are pronounced to believe in a "distinctive Jesus: is probably that others don't understand the Bible sufficient....only a thought.

Answer 6

If Christians followed this passage, slavery would never have been abolished! Thank goodness for my Quaker ancestors who rebelled against the law of the land and chose not to follow this verse.

Answer 7

Short and to the Point:

basically its saying that we have to obey the superior authorities, such as cops, because they exist in their place of "power" because God allows them too.

Answer 8

We are to render Caesars things to Caesar and Gods things to God.
We are to show proper respect for authority because they stand placed in their relative positions by God. In that he allows them to keep the peace and make laws for the good of all.

But where that conflicts with God's laws always show God to be the ultimate ruler.

Always be the best person you can be for this brings honor and glory to God because you listen to Him you are reflecting His qualities.

Answer 9

Christians are to obey the law of the land they live in . If they are ordered to war they must go . If the leader is wrong it's him that has to answer to God ,not on those who followed orders .

Answer 10

Actually it means God is the one that brings justice to you, he alone is your vindicator. Only God puts people in power not man