Submission to Authority: Honoring God Through Obedience

Dual Citizenship, Dual Responsibility

Peter has just established that believers are living as strangers—temporary residents passing through hostile territory on our way to our forever home. But our status doesn’t mean lawless independence, cultural withdrawal, or lack of submission to authority. Instead, it creates a unique tension: we maintain heavenly citizenship while fulfilling earthly obligations, submit to human authority while serving divine authority, and obey earthly rulers while honoring the King of kings.

This passage on submission to authority follows naturally from the previous instruction about having honorable conduct among unbelievers. One of the most visible ways believers can demonstrate Christlikeness is through respectful engagement with governmental structures, even when those governments are hostile to faith. Peter writes to believers living under Roman rule—an empire that would soon launch severe persecution against Christians. Yet he commands submission to authority, not revolution against it.

The Scope and Source of Submission

God sovereignly places all leaders into their respective positions and we are to be obedient and honor authority, even if we disagree with their politics, as long as they are not in opposition with God’s direct commands. This is a radical statement that challenges both ancient and modern assumptions. We naturally want to submit only to authorities we respect, agree with, or benefit from. But Peter’s command contains no such qualifications. Submission to authority isn’t conditional on the leader’s character, policies, or religious beliefs—it’s rooted in God’s sovereign placement of that authority.

The phrase “every ordinance of man” encompasses all legitimate governmental authority—federal, state, local; executive, legislative, judicial. “Whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him” covers the full hierarchy of leadership. We submit not because these leaders are perfect but because God established governmental authority for maintaining order, punishing evil, and protecting good (Romans 13:1-4). When we submit to human authority, we’re ultimately submitting to God who ordained that authority exists.

However, this submission has biblical limits. When human authority directly contradicts God’s commands, believers must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). If a government commands what God forbids (worship false gods, deny Christ) or forbids what God commands (evangelism, gathering for worship), submission to authority means respectfully disobeying while accepting consequences. But this exception is narrow—disagreement with policies, distaste for leaders, or preference for different governance doesn’t justify rebellion. Only direct conflict with God’s explicit commands releases us from the obligation to submit.

The Purpose: Silencing Critics Through Good Works

We should never use our freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey or think we are above the law. By doing good, we can ensure no one has anything evil to say against us and thus bring glory to God at all times, in all things. Peter identifies submission to authority as part of God’s will for believers—not merely a pragmatic strategy but a divine calling. “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

The “ignorance of foolish men” refers to unfounded accusations against Christians. In Peter’s day, believers faced slander: they were accused of disloyalty to Rome, promoting social upheaval, and undermining traditional values. The best response wasn’t defensive arguments but demonstrable goodness. When Christians submitted to authority, paid taxes faithfully, worked honestly, and contributed positively to society, critics had no legitimate foundation for accusations. Their ignorance was exposed by observable conduct.

This principle remains powerfully relevant. When believers live as model citizens—respectful of authority, law-abiding, contributing to their local community—hostile critics are silenced. They may still dislike our faith, but they cannot credibly claim we’re dangerous, subversive, or harmful to society. Our submission to authority becomes a form of pre-evangelism, removing obstacles that might prevent people from considering the gospel. When unbelievers witness Christians treating authority with respect even during political disagreement, they see something countercultural that demands explanation.

Freedom Rightly Used

Let us not only be outwardly obedient, but also have an inner respect, holding onto the truth that every leader is in position only by the will of God. By obeying their authority, we are obeying and honoring God. Peter addresses a potential misunderstanding: “as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” Christian freedom is real—Christ has liberated us from sin’s slavery, legalism’s burden, and condemnation’s terror (Galatians 5:1). But freedom in Christ never means freedom from obedience or license for selfish behavior.

Some believers might reason: “I have freedom in Christ, so earthly authority doesn’t control me. I can ignore laws I disagree with, disrespect leaders I dislike, or rebel against policies I oppose.” Peter categorically rejects this thinking. Using Christian liberty “as a cloak for vice” turns freedom into an excuse for disobedience, selfishness disguised as spiritual conviction. True freedom serves God and others; false freedom serves self.

Instead, we are “bondservants of God”—voluntary slaves wholly devoted to our Master’s will. This identity supersedes all others. We submit to earthly authority because our heavenly Master commands it. We respect human government because our divine King established it. We obey flawed leaders because our perfect Lord instructed us to do so. Submission to authority isn’t compromise of freedom but expression of it—free people choosing obedience out of love for God rather than compulsion.

Four Clear Commands

Peter concludes with four rapid-fire imperatives that summarize Christian conduct toward various groups:

“Honor all people.” Every human bears God’s image and deserves basic dignity regardless of status, ethnicity, religion, or politics (Genesis 1:27). We don’t honor people because they’ve earned it but because God created them. This honor extends even to those who oppose us, mistreat us, or disagree with us fundamentally. Living as strangers doesn’t mean despising the world but honoring every person we encounter.

“Love the brotherhood.” While we honor all people, we have special obligation toward fellow believers—the family of God, the chosen generation, the holy nation. This love goes beyond honor to include sacrificial commitment, preferential care, and deep affection (John 13:34-35). The church should be known for how believers love each other, creating community so compelling that outsiders long to belong.

“Fear God.” This reverent awe stands above all other relationships. We honor people, love believers, and respect authority—but we fear only God. This fear isn’t terror but profound respect that recognizes His holiness, sovereignty, and ultimate authority (Proverbs 9:10). When human authority conflicts with divine commands, fear of God determines our response. We cannot fear both God and man—one will always take precedence.

“Honor the king.” Peter specifically returns to governmental authority, commanding honor for the highest earthly ruler. In Peter’s context, this meant honoring Nero—a man who would eventually execute Peter himself. Yet Peter commands respect for the office even when the officeholder is wicked. We can strongly disagree with policies, oppose certain actions, and work toward promoting different leadership while still maintaining respectful speech and conduct toward those in authority.

Practical Obedience in Complex Times

How does submission to authority work practically when we live in democracies with freedoms ancient Christians lacked? We fulfill this command by:

Voting thoughtfully: Participating in governance as informed citizens who consider biblical principles when selecting leaders and policies.

Paying taxes honestly: Supporting governmental functions without evasion or resentful compliance, recognizing taxation as legitimate (Romans 13:6-7).

Speaking respectfully: Disagreeing with policies or criticizing actions without demonizing leaders, using inflammatory rhetoric, or promoting contempt for authority.

Praying consistently: Interceding for leaders at all levels, asking God to grant them wisdom and turn their hearts toward righteousness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Obeying laws: Following traffic regulations, business codes, and community standards even when inconvenient, demonstrating that Christians make society better.

Serving communities: Contributing positively through volunteer work, neighborhood engagement, and acts of service that benefit the common good.

When these practices characterize believers, submission to authority becomes powerful witness. Unbelievers notice Christians who respect authority they disagree with, obey laws when no one’s watching, and contribute constructively rather than just complaining. This conduct brings glory to God because it reflects His character—orderly, just, and gracious.

Reflection Questions

1. In what areas do you struggle most with submission to authority—workplace leadership, governmental policies, church leaders, or other authorities? What makes obedience difficult in those contexts?
2. How do you distinguish between disagreeing with authority (which is permissible) and dishonoring authority (which Peter forbids)? Where might your speech or attitudes cross from legitimate critique into sinful disrespect?
3. Peter says using freedom in Christ as excuse for disobedience turns liberty into “a cloak for vice.” Have you ever justified disobedience or disrespect by appealing to Christian freedom? What would repentance look like?
4. Looking at the four commands (honor all, love brotherhood, fear God, honor king), which comes most naturally to you? Which requires most growth and intentional effort?

Prayer

Consider how submission to authority demonstrates trust in God’s sovereignty and creates powerful witness to watching unbelievers. Thank God for establishing governing authorities and ask for grace to submit honorably.

If this devotional blessed you, consider further study in:

• 1 Peter Devotional Series
• The Gift of Freedom: Liberation from Sin’s Tyranny