17 Have respect for all, loving the brothers, fearing God, honouring the king.
My son, go in fear of the Lord and the king: have nothing to do with those who are in high positions:
Give to all what is their right: taxes to him whose they are, payment to him whose right it is, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour is to be given.
And as you have made your souls clean, being ruled by what is true, and loving one another without deceit, see that your love is warm and from the heart:
Then he said, Great is my sin: but still, give me honour now before the heads of my people and before Israel, and come back with me so that I may give worship to the Lord your God.
They say to him, Caesar's. Then he said to them, Give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.
Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.
Let all who are servants under the yoke give all honour to their masters, so that no evil may be said against the name of God and his teaching.
Doing nothing through envy or through pride, but with low thoughts of self let everyone take others to be better than himself;
And Abraham said, Because it seemed to me that there was no fear of God in this place, and that they might put me to death because of my wife.
By this it will be clear to all men that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.
I say to you, Keep the king's law, from respect for the oath of God.
Have no envy of sinners in your heart, but keep in the fear of the Lord all through the day;
The fear of the Lord is the best part of wisdom: all those who keep his laws are wise: his praise is eternal.
And David said to all the people, Now give praise to the Lord your God. And all the people gave praise to the Lord, the God of their fathers, with bent heads worshipping the Lord and the king.
Give honour to your father and to your mother, so that your life may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
And on the third day Joseph said to them, Do this, if you would keep your lives: for I am a god-fearing man:
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Peter 2
Commentary on 1 Peter 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
The general exhortation to holiness is continued, and enforced by several reasons taken from the foundation on which Christians are built, Jesus Christ, and from their spiritual blessings and privileges in him. The means of obtaining it, the word of God, is recommended, and all contrary qualities are condemned (v. 1-12). Particular directions are given how subjects ought to obey the magistrates, and servants their masters, patiently suffering in well doing, in imitation of Christ (v. 13-25).
1Pe 2:1-3
The holy apostle has been recommending mutual charity, and setting forth the excellences of the word of God, calling it an incorruptible seed, and saying that it liveth and abideth for ever. He pursues his discourse, and very properly comes in with this necessary advice, Wherefore laying aside all malice, etc. These are such sins as both destroy charity and hinder the efficacy of the word, and consequently they prevent our regeneration.
1Pe 2:4-12
1Pe 2:13-25
The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these distinctly.