1 Peter 2 – Human Authority

1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:11-12 “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 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.”

God never calls us to blend in

1 Peter 2:13-17 “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

Two uses of this word submit in Greek – Hypotasso

• Military term – To arrange in a military fashion under the command of a leader
• Non-military term – A voluntary attitude of cooperating, giving in, and assuming responsibility.

Peter wrote this letter in 64AD

• His emperor he was writing about was Nero.

Is Peter clueless to all of these things?

• No
• He knows the emperor is an evil, selfish, wicked man.

He tells us to:

• Submit – Verse 13
• Honor – Verse 17

Our society tells us to – Criticize and undermine if you don’t like.

God’s society tells us to submit and honor.

1 Peter 2:20-23 “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

Jesus left an example for us to follow:

• If you suffer for being a Christian – Endure it
• If they insult you – Do not retaliate
• If you suffer – Don’t threaten back

Instead of retaliating – “he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”

Leviticus 19:18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Romans 12:17-19 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

Here is what God’s love does – It Prioritizes the treatment of the unsaved in the hope for them to respond to Jesus!