2:13-17 – Submit and honor governmental authority
18-20 – Employees submit and honor you employer
21-25 – Jesus’ sterling example of submission
3:1-6 – Wives submit to husbands
7 – Husbands honor wives
8-12 – Summary of the subject
5:5 and 6 – Younger men submit yourselves to elder men
We all seem to enjoy it when others are in subjection to us and give us honor. Yet,
we often struggle with submissiveness and honoring others. The instruction under
consideration is more easily entreated when we keep the context in focus. The
blessings bestowed upon us now and in the Kingdom place us in a mindset of
sufficiency independent of the world. We no longer need the approval, validation,
or acceptance from others. We are free from the worldly value system. Humility
to others is no longer a sign of weakness or degrading. We do not care because in
submitting and honoring others, we please God by obeying His commands. He
promises to honor us in the Kingdom and throughout eternity. Who cares what
others think of us?
Submission and honor are often but not always in tandem. The most honoring act
that we can do with God and Jesus is to obey, that is submit to their will. Jesus is
our Lord. If we want to honor him, we obey by submitting to his will as is
communicated in the Scriptures (not to the things the church today has
contrived).
13 – 17 – All saints are to submit and honor governmental authority except when
commanded to sin as in the case of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Matthew 22:15-22; Romans 13:1-ff; Titus 3:1
Peter wrote this epistle during the reign of Nero or shortly thereafter. Nero is
infamously known as the Emperor who “fiddled while Rome burned” and as a
persecutor of early Christians. He captured Christians to burn them in his garden
at night for a source of light. This view is based on the writings of the main
surviving sources for Nero’s reign. Few surviving sources paint Nero in a favorable
light. Some sources, though, portray him as an emperor who was popular with
the common Roman people, especially in the east.
18 –20 – Servants are to submit to and honor your lord today − employees in
relationship to employers. Ephesians 6:5-9
Submitting takes trust and faith in God that His ways are better that your ways.
21-25 – Jesus’ extraordinary example of submission is to be followed by us. He
never sinned in his submission, nor did he fail to confront evil.
3:1-6 – A wife is to submit to and honor your husband even if he is an unbeliever.
1Corthinians 7:10-16; Matthew 5:31 and 32; 19:3-9
And when the king’s edict which he shall make is heard throughout all his
kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great
and small. Esther 1:20
7 – Husbands are to honor their wives.
Ephesians 6:1-3 – Regarding our children, it is very important to teach them to
submit and honor.
8-12 – Summary of the subject
Philippians 2:3-11 – Jesus is our example. If we submit and honor now, in the
future we will have great honor.
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor
comes humility.
1Peter 1:7
The proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is
perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise
and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Samuel 2:30
….Far be it from Me − for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who
despise Me will be lightly esteemed.
1Chronicles 29:12
Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in
Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to
strengthen everyone.
Romans 2:7
To those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and
immortality, eternal life;
Proverbs 22:4
The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.
The world honors movie stars and athletes.
Proverbs 26:1 – Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is
not fitting for a fool.
Proverbs 26:8 – Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives
honor to a fool.
1Peter 3:10-19
