1 Peter 2:13
1 Peter 2:13
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;” 1 Peter 2:13
Should we submit to God or men? The word “submit” is from the same word we see in Titus 3:1 “to be subject”. The Greek word “hupotasso” means “to arrange” and in civilian terms it meant “voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating”. 1
The Greek word Oun2 meaning consequently or therefore [Not translated in KJV] tells us Peter is talking about our conduct among the Gentiles which means nations.3 We are told that we are a holy nation under God.4 Other people called the Christians evil doers, even atheists, because they did not participate in the public social welfare systems under the Genius of Caesar who exercised authority one over the other, because Jesus said “... ye shall not be so”.5
While Peter does encourage us to cooperate in “humility”6 he, and the other apostles, also instruct “We ought to obey God rather than men”.7 If they made agreements with rulers to obtain benefits at the expense of others they could no longer “do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.”8
Christians freely contributed to their own government9 that rightly divided those offerings from house to house10 in pure religion, caring for the needy of their society unspotted by the world of Rome.
Should we ever go under authority or sell ourselves into bondage in exchange for benefits paid for at the expense of others?
Joseph's brothers had sold him into bondage and thus became “Pharaoh’s servants” in Egypt. God turned it to good but we were told to never return to that type of bondage again.11 The will of God for man is that he should be free souls under Him and not be under the authority of men like Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Saul, or Caesar.
Peter does say in verse 14 “Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Which is little more than to advise cooperation with the police or local customs.
As Vigellius Saturninus, proconsul of Africa told Christians, “We too are religious, and our religion is simple, and we swear by the Genius of our lord the emperor, and we apply for his benefits, as you also ought to do.” Christians did not neglect the needy but provided for them by charity not by force.12
If you eat at the table of rulers you will be trapped and snared.13
Modern social welfare is religious. Religion is how a people takes care of its widows, orphans and needy, but if it is not unspotted by the world is is not pure. It is conformed to the world and depends entirely upon compelled offerings. The exercise of rights endowed by God is call “liberty”. Governments are endowed by men. If we reject the responsibility we loose the right and we are rejecting God.
1 Strong’s 5293 hupotasso defined 1) to arrange under, to subordinate... 5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice... A Greek military term that when used in a non-military means “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”. Thayer's
2Oun, then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, these things being so.
3“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12
41 Peter 2:9 “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
5Matthew 20:26, Mark 10:43, Luke 22:26
61 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
7Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
8Acts 17:7 “Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.”
9Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
10Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
11Deut. 17:16 “But he shall not ... cause the people to return to Egypt... forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”
12“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” 1 Peter 2:15-17
13“Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.” Psalms 69:22 “And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:” Romans 11:9 Also Ex 20:17, 23:32, 34:12..; Jud 10:14; 1 Sa 8:18; Pr 1:10, 23:1..; Ez 11:1-11 Jer 11:12; Micah 3:1-5; Ro 13:9, Mr 7:22, Mt 5:34, Ja 5:12; Gal 5:15