LIVE AS FREE MEN

Passage: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Key verse: 16

NIV

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(A) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong(B) and to commend those who do right.(C) 15 For it is God’s will(D) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.(E) 16 Live as free people,(F) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;(G) live as God’s slaves.(H) 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,(I) fear God, honor the emperor.(J)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Submission to Authority

13 (A)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,[a] whether it be to the emperor[b] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him (B)to punish those who do evil and (C)to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, (D)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 (E)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but (F)living as servants[c] of God. 17 (G)Honor everyone. (H)Love the brotherhood. (I)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Peter 2:13 Or every institution ordained for people
  2. 1 Peter 2:13 Or king; also verse 17
  3. 1 Peter 2:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Submit to authority (13-16)

It seems to some people that submission to authority is an abridgment of freedom. But this is not so. God established governments to bring order and maintain peace in a world of sinful people. It is God's will for his people to humbly submit to every authority instituted among men. He does not want us to yield to our rebellious spirits, for this is not the way of freedom but the way to slavery.

2. Live as free men (16-17)

When we live as servants of God we can be truly free, for freedom comes from creation order in our hearts. When we live as servants of God, we can love the brotherhood of believers--and others as well. We can respect all people and honor those in positions deserving honor.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to use my freedom in Christ as a cover-up for selfishness or thoughtlessness. Help me to obey you from the heart and live as your servant.

One Word: Live as free men