1 Peter 2:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →For the Lord's sake, believers should submit to human authorities, including the highest ruler.
What Does 1 Peter 2:13 Mean?
Peter asks his readers to submit to the institutions of human government, from the emperor down. The motive he gives is decisive: for the Lord's sake, not because rulers always deserve it.
This is not blind allegiance but a chosen yielding, offered out of reverence for God who orders human society. By living as good citizens, the believers commend their faith and silence the charge that they are troublemakers. Peter roots even ordinary submission in devotion to Christ, so that obedience to earthly order becomes part of their witness rather than a compromise of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Peter 2:13
What does 1 Peter 2:13 mean?
For the Lord's sake, believers should submit to human authorities, including the highest ruler.