1 Peter 2:14

1 Peter 2:14

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.

a. NLT: Or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.[Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. ASV: Or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. YLT: Whether to governors, as to those sent through him, for punishment, indeed, of evil-doers, and a praise of those doing good; [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service. [Classic Amplified: Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

1. “Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers…”

a. Or [Strong: 1535. eite i'-teh from 1487 and 5037; if too:--if, or, whether.]

b. [unto] governors [Strong: 2232. hegemon hayg-em-ohn' from 2233; a leader, i.e. chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province:--governor, prince, ruler.]

c. as [Strong: 5613. hos hoce probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]

d. [unto them that] are sent [Strong: 3992. pempo pem'-po apparently a primary verb; to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas hiemi (as a stronger form of eimi) refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem, and 4724 denotes properly, the orderly motion involved), especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield:--send, thrust in.]

e. by [Strong: 1223. dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

f. him [Strong: 846. autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

g. for [Strong: 1519. eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

h. [Strong: 3303. men men a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

i. [the] punishment [Strong: 1557. ekdikesis ek-dik'-ay-sis from 1556; vindication, retribution:--(a-, re-)venge(-ance), punishment.]

j. [of] evildoers [Strong: 2555. kakopoios kak-op-oy-os' from 2556 and 4160; a bad-doer; (specially), a criminal:--evil-doer, malefactor.]

2. “...and for the praise of them that do well.”

a. and [Strong: 1161. de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. [for the] praise [Strong: 1868. epainos ep'-ahee-nos from 1909 and the base of 134; laudation; concretely, a commendable thing:--praise.]

c. [of them that] do well [Strong: 17. agathopoios ag-ath-op-oy-os' from 18 and 4160; a well-doer, i.e. virtuous:--them that do well.]

1). We are to be obedient to the ruling authorities unless they order us to sin against God.  

a). Romans 13:1-7 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

13:2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 

13:3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 

13:4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 

13:5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

13:6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 

13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

2). Unless it violates our relationship with God.

a). Acts 4:18-20 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 

4:20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

b). Daniel 3:1-30

3). We are also to pray for them that it will go good for us and have the opportunity to share the gospel.

a). 1 Timothy 2:1-8 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

b). Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.