Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:13-17
The Lord had just commanded us to “abstain from the passions of the flesh” (2:11) and to “keep (our) conduct among the Gentiles honorable” (2:12). Now He directs the apostle to give us examples of how to apply this to our daily lives, starting with how we should interact with and respond to governmental authorities (2:13-17; cf. Rom. 13:1-7; Tit. 3:1-2; Matt. 5:38-48).
There’s a reason Peter warned his first century readers that they would be spoken against “as evildoers” (2:12). Nero was emperor at the time, and it would be around this time that he would blame the fire that consumed much of Rome on Christians and begin persecuting them in such severe ways (such as setting them on fire to light his garden at night) that history has made his name synonymous with Christian persecution. It would be Nero who would execute Peter and Paul. Furthermore, the church had been dealing with persecution and slander from the Jews for decades by this point.
This was therefore one of the commands from God most difficult for the early church to obey. It’s hard to resist the temptation to NOT “be subject…to every human institution” such as “the emperor” or “governors” when it’s by their authority that soldiers drag you out of your homes, imprison you, and ultimately execute you…all because of your faith in Christ. When the governmental authorities are after you simply because you’re a Christian, it’s hard to remember that God “sent” them “to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good,” and that in fact they in many cases do that despite the wrong they are doing you to you. Our human inclination is to “honor”…not “everyone” as Peter said, but those who love us and treat us well; we tend to want to dishonor our enemies, especially if they are doing us great harm. For these reasons, I imagine the early church read “Honor the emperor” and said, “Are you kidding me?!?!”
These commands are hard for Christians to follow today as well. For American Christians, they’re hard to obey even though – let’s be honest – we do not face nearly as severe persecution from our government due to the First Amendment as the early church did from Rome. In fact, it is because of the First Amendment and the freedom of speech it gives us that we find it very hard to do what God wants us to do in this passage. Because we have freedom of speech, we might think it an obligation to not just vocalize our disagreement with those in power, but to do so in ways that lie, slander, mock and insult both them and their families. Sin is breaking the laws of God (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15b). God never said not to disagree with governing authorities, but He has commanded to never dishonor them and to submit to them. The only exception He gave is if they specifically and directly order us to do the opposite of what God commanded us to do (cf. Acts 5:27-29). Therefore, we can “live as people who are free”…but let’s make sure to never “use (our) freedom as a cover-up for evil” (2:16).
The world looks at insulting politicians as entertainment and a “God-given right,” even though Peter would say otherwise. We must be noticeably different. Our actions must speak louder than anything bad they would say about us (2:12, 15). By “abstain(ing)” from this particular worldly passion, we truly “live as servants of God” and “fear” Him. We also let our light shine in such a way that others might end up obeying the gospel due to our influence (2:12; cf. Matt. 5:16).
The following is a Facebook post I thought up a while back to illustrate the point Peter is making here. I will close by sharing it with you below:
Peter: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Pet. 2:17)
Early Christians: “Um, Peter? The emperor is Nero. He’s setting us on fire to give his garden light at night. He’s going to execute you and Paul any day now. THAT’S the emperor you tell us to honor?”Peter: “That’s the one. Want to know why?”Early Christians: “Um, yeah. Sure.”Peter: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Pet. 2:15-16)Early Christians: “But…”Peter: “I’ve got a couple more reasons, hold on.”Early Christians: “Okay…”Peter: “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Pet. 2:19-23)Early Christians: “Yeah, but…”Peter: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (1 Pet. 2:11-12)Early Christians: “Oh, I don’t know. He’s just so evil and horrible, you know?”Peter: “Now, who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Pet. 3:13-17)Paul: “Can I chime in? I have a couple of things to say along these lines.”Early Christians: “Sure, why not?”Paul: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” (Phil. 2:14-15)Early Christians: “Don’t grumble?! That’s a tall order, man…”Paul: “I’ve got more. Want to hear what I told a preacher to preach to you guys?”Early Christians: “We’re almost afraid to know. Okay, let’s hear it.”Paul: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Tit. 3:1-2)Early Christians: “EVEN NERO?!?!”
Paul: “He’s part of ‘all people,’ isn’t he?”
— Jon
Pre-Denominational Christianity 
I wonder how the dynamic of our leaders saying they are Christians but planning evil towards Christians and humanity in general, effects how I should behave in the light of these scriptures. I want to say things are different than with Nero, but do I really know they are? Did Nero claim to be a believer, then use believers as torches? Maybe he didn’t, but leaders later on throughout the centuries did similar things, didn’t they? The Roman Catholic Church has been and still is in bed with political leaders, causing dissention and turmoil. How do we apply these scriptures when leaders are knowingly and making conscious decisions to be evil? This is an honest question from me, as I am juggling being a Godly woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, Christian, neighbor, citizen, blogger, etc. Maybe a new post expounding on it, would be good. I would read it.
Also, we have a pastor friend that used to be on the city counsel, but left that environment because it kept conflicting with his relationship with Christ and his convictions. Speaking for Christian values in that environment is swimming up stream and trying to function behind enemy lines. Not everyone can be a David killing Philistines, while posing to work for the Philistines. And he was killing them, though it was pre “Christ died on the cross, we live in Grace now” time frame. Ok, that’s my 5 cents.
Good thoughts. In reply, I would call to your attention that passages like 1 Peter 2:13-17 and Titus 3:1-2 carry with them no exceptions that have to do with the kind of ruler in question. In other words, 1 Peter 2 and Titus 3 do not have an add-on: “…unless they profess to be Christian and then prove themselves to not be,” or something along those lines. Regardless of whether they be good or evil, righteous or ungodly, we are to submit to them and show honor to them. A further examination of the overall point of 1 Peter, which my series of articles on the book will point out, shows that Christians will find this easier to do by, as Paul put it, setting their minds on things above, not on things on earth (Col. 3:1-2).
See also an answer I gave to a Bible Q&A which is very similar to what you were talking about above. https://predenominationalchristianity.com/2023/04/01/bible-qa-does-romans-13-apply-to-corrupt-governments/
Very good talking points in that article. I personally am not politically or patriotically minded. I appreciate the freedom we do still have, while we have it. I believe I’m ready to die for my faith, I hope and pray I really am if and when that happens. I also try to speak the truth, but not berate people, but sometimes the truth sounds harsh. Our leaders are being so evil, that things have to be spoken to and about. But, I agree, the rioting or violence is not a good idea. I don’t condone the bombing of an abortion clinic, but speaking to the people that work there or use their facilities is necessary. But when people don’t want to admit their sin or face it, things get difficult. Being passionate about something, very often makes us emotional and use tones that are difficult for other people to process and accept. We all can thank Adam for it all, but we still have the responsibility to act and respond Christ like. And sometimes we don’t understand what that means. Hence, your articles. Thanks for trying to help us in that area.