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1 Peter 2:14<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and<\/span> for the<\/span><\/em> praise of those who do good.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We are to submit to all authorities over us at all times, not just when it is convenient, or when we feel like it.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The word translated \u201cgovernors<\/span>\u201d is the Greek noun h\u0113gam\u014dn<\/span><\/em>, which is derived from the verb h\u0113geomai<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto lead\u201d or \u201cto rule.\u201d The noun form refers to a person who leads or governs and can be translated as \u201cgovernor, commander, or ruler.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPunishment<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word ekdik\u0113sis<\/span><\/em>, which is made up of ek<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cout\u201d and a form of dik\u0113<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cjustice.\u201d Hence, it refers to handing out a judicial decision. Since it is used here in reference to \u201cevildoers,\u201d it can be interpreted as \u201cpunishment or retribution.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cpraise<\/span>\u201d is from epainos<\/span><\/em>, which is made up of epi<\/span><\/em> (shortened to ep<\/span><\/em>), meaning \u201cover\u201d or \u201cupon\u201d and ainos<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cpraise.\u201d Hence, it means to \u201clay praise upon someone.\u201d<\/p>\n The words \u201cevildoers<\/span>\u201d and \u201cthose who do good<\/span>\u201d are kakopoi\u014dn<\/span><\/em> and agathopoi\u014dn<\/span><\/em>. Kakos<\/span><\/em> means \u201cevil\u201d and agathos<\/span><\/em> means \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbenevolent.\u201d The second half of both words is a form of poie\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which means \u201cto make\u201d or \u201cto do.\u201d So you can see that these two words literally mean \u201cthose who do evil things\u201d and \u201cthose who do good things.\u201d<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter continues the thought from yesterday. We should submit to Kings, but we should also submit to other government officials. The point is that we need to submit ourselves to anyone who has been set up by the king as a sub-ruler. In the first century these would include such people as Pontius Pilate and Herod, whom Christ submitted himself to, and Felix and Festus, whom the Apostle Paul submitted himself to.<\/p>\n The purpose of human government, according to Peter, is to maintain law and order. It is their responsibility to punish those who do evil things and to lay praise upon those who do good things. We are not to take these matters into our own hands; we are to submit to government, whether we like it or not.<\/p>\n In the next verse Peter will tell us that this is God\u2019s will, and as Christians, we should all strive to do God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n Submission is something that is frowned upon by our society, and the message proclaimed by the media today is to do your own thing, to stand up for your rights (after all, I\u2019m worth it). That, according to the world system, is the way to happiness and peace. The Bible, on the other hand, says that the way to happiness and peace is to submit, first to God, then to others. What is seen as weakness by the world is the way to peace and happiness with God. Christ, Himself, was the supreme example of this as Peter will point out later in this chapter.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n One of the problems with submitting to human government is the fact that it is made up largely of unsaved men and women. Some of them are even openly opposed to the ideals which we hold so dear. Nonetheless, we are to submit to them and give them the honor that is due their position.<\/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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