Submit yourselves to every institution of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as being supreme,
Truth to Learn
We are to submit to whatever government we might live under.
Behind the Words
The word translated “submit” is hupotassō, a compound word made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, meaning “to place in order” or “to place in an orderly fashion.” Hence, it means to place something in an orderly manner under something else. This is a military term that implies being placed in rank under the authority of someone else. It is expressed here in the passive voice indicating action done to the subject, and it is expressed in the imperative mood indicating a command. Putting this all together we see that Peter is ordering us to be submitted.
“Institution” is translated from the Greek word ktisis, meaning “that which has been formed or created.” Given the context, it is clear that Peter is referring to laws and authorities created by man.
Meaning Explained
Throughout history the Israelites have refused submission to any monarch, whether called king, emperor, caesar, or any other name. Theirs was a theocracy ruled by God rather than a monarchy ruled my man. Peter, however, is telling the early believers (many of them new converts from Judaism), and those of us in the following millennia, that it is God’s will for us to submit to human government. Even Christ, Himself, declared this in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke when asked whether it is lawful to give tribute to Caesar:
Give therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things which are God's.
The thing that makes Peter’s message all the more important is the fact that Nero was ruling over the Roman world at the time he wrote this, and Nero hated Christians. Peter does not declare that we are to submit only to the laws that are fair to Christians, but to every institution of man.
The only exception to this type of submission is when human government orders us to do that which is contrary to the commands of God. For example, when Peter and John were commanded by the rulers of the Jews to cease preaching Jesus as the Messiah, they refused:
And having called them, they commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But answering them, Peter and John said, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:18-20)
This is a hard lesson for us to hear in a society where morality is declining and many (perhaps most) of our government officials have no fear of God. What we need to keep in mind is that God is in control and He will prevail.
Application
Jesus willingly submitted himself to the ruling authorities of His day and it resulted in His being crucified. Are you willing to submit yourself that completely?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved