Bible Strands
1 Peter 2:14
or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter writes to dispersed Christian communities, instructing them to submit to human institutions as an extension of their submission to God. He addresses governors immediately after commanding submission to the king in 1 Peter 2:13.
The words — ἡγεμόσιν (hēgemosin) means "to governors," and πεμπομένοις (pempomenois) means "being sent." The text states that these officials are dispatched to execute vengeance on wrongdoers and to commend those who do right.
The thread — This functional description of civil authority runs in Romans 13:3, where rulers are defined as unafraid to those who do good but terrifying to those who do evil. The parallel passage confirms the text's claim that governing offices operate as instruments of moral accountability.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to acknowledge governors as permitted authorities rather than autonomous powers. It demands practical compliance with civil structures while recognizing that their legitimacy derives from their God-ordained role to punish and reward.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.