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1 Peter 2:13<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We are to submit to whatever government we might live under.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The word translated \u201csubmit<\/span>\u201d is hupotass\u014d<\/span><\/em>, a compound word made up of hupo<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cunder\u201d or \u201cbeneath\u201d and tass\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto place in order\u201d or \u201cto place in an orderly fashion.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u201cOrdinance<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word ktisis<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cthat which has been formed or created.\u201d Given the context, it is clear that Peter is referring to laws and authorities created by man.<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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:<\/p>\n Give<\/span> therefore<\/span> to<\/span> Caesar<\/span> the things<\/span> which<\/span> are<\/span> Caesar’s<\/span> and<\/span> unto<\/span> God<\/span> the things<\/span> which<\/span> are<\/span> God’s.<\/span><\/p>\n The thing that makes Peter\u2019s 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 ordinance of man.<\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.<\/span> <\/span>(Acts 4:18-20<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n This is a hard lesson for us to hear in a society where morality is declining and many (perhaps most) in 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.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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