1 Peter 2:17
Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Honor everyone
The Greek word for "honor" is "τιμάω" (timao), which means to value, respect, or revere. In the context of 1 Peter, this command is a call to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every individual as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This respect transcends social status, race, or creed, reflecting the Christian principle of universal love and respect. Historically, this was a radical idea in a stratified Roman society, where honor was typically reserved for those of higher status. The call to honor everyone challenges believers to live counter-culturally, embodying Christ's love in all interactions.

Love the brotherhood
The term "brotherhood" comes from the Greek "ἀδελφότης" (adelphotēs), referring to the community of believers. This phrase emphasizes the special bond among Christians, akin to a family relationship. The early church was characterized by deep fellowship and mutual support, as seen in Acts 2:42-47. This love is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to the well-being of fellow believers, reflecting Jesus' command to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34-35). In a world often marked by division, this call to love the brotherhood serves as a powerful testimony to the unity and transformative power of the Gospel.

Fear God
The Greek word for "fear" is "φοβέομαι" (phobeomai), which can mean to be afraid, but in this context, it denotes reverence and awe. This fear is not about terror but about a profound respect for God's holiness and authority. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," highlighting that a proper understanding of God's majesty and power is foundational to a life of faith. In a society where many gods were worshiped, Peter's exhortation to fear God alone underscores the exclusivity and supremacy of the Christian God, calling believers to live in a way that honors Him above all else.

Honor the king
The word "king" here is "βασιλεύς" (basileus), referring to the ruling authority, which, at the time of Peter's writing, would have been the Roman Emperor. Despite the often oppressive and unjust nature of Roman rule, Christians are called to show respect to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7). This does not imply blind obedience, especially when such authorities contradict God's commands, but it does call for a posture of respect and submission to the extent that it aligns with God's will. This instruction reflects a broader biblical principle of respecting authority while ultimately recognizing God's sovereignty over all earthly powers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle of Jesus Christ, traditionally credited with writing this epistle. He addresses the early Christian communities scattered throughout Asia Minor.

2. The Brotherhood of Believers
Refers to the community of Christians who are united in faith and love for one another.

3. God
The supreme being, creator, and sustainer of the universe, whom Christians are called to fear, meaning to have reverence and awe.

4. The King
In the context of the Roman Empire, this would refer to the emperor or ruling authority. Peter calls for respect towards governing authorities.

5. Asia Minor
The region where the recipients of Peter's letter were located, facing various trials and persecutions.
Teaching Points
Respect for All People
Christians are called to treat everyone with high regard, reflecting the love and respect that Christ showed to all individuals.

Love Within the Church
The brotherhood of believers should be marked by love and unity, serving as a testimony to the world of Christ's love.

Reverence for God
Fearing God involves a deep respect and awe for His holiness and authority, guiding our actions and decisions.

Honor for Authority
Honoring the king or governing authorities is a biblical principle, recognizing their role in maintaining order and justice.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we practically show high regard to everyone in our daily interactions, especially those we disagree with?

2. In what ways can we actively demonstrate love within our church community, and how does this reflect our faith to outsiders?

3. What does it mean to fear God in today's context, and how can this fear influence our decision-making?

4. How can we balance our allegiance to God with our responsibilities to earthly authorities, especially when they conflict?

5. Reflect on a time when you struggled to honor someone in authority. How can the teachings of 1 Peter 2:17 guide you in similar situations in the future?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 13:1-7
Paul also emphasizes the importance of submitting to governing authorities, as they are instituted by God.

Matthew 22:21
Jesus teaches about giving to Caesar what is Caesar's, highlighting the balance between spiritual and civic responsibilities.

Hebrews 13:1
Encourages believers to continue in brotherly love, aligning with Peter's call to love the brotherhood.

Proverbs 9:10
Speaks of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, connecting to the reverence Peter instructs believers to have for God.
A Royalty Free from DisputeBlaise Pascal.1 Peter 2:17
Dignity of ManJ. Percy.1 Peter 2:17
Fear GodH. Kollock, D. D.1 Peter 2:17
Good SubjectsJohn Rogers.1 Peter 2:17
Honor All MenJ.R. Thomson 1 Peter 2:17
Honour AllDean Plumptre.1 Peter 2:17
Honour AllJ. Lillie, D. D.1 Peter 2:17
Honour All MenBp. Sanderson.1 Peter 2:17
Honour All MenAbp. Thomson.1 Peter 2:17
Honour All MenAbp. Leighton.1 Peter 2:17
Honour All MenJ. Trapp.1 Peter 2:17
Love the BrotherhoodW. Arnot.1 Peter 2:17
Love the BrotherhoodBp. Sanderson.1 Peter 2:17
Love the BrotherhoodR. Ward, M. A.1 Peter 2:17
No Man to be DespisedCanon Duckworth.1 Peter 2:17
Respect for ManhoodJ. C. Lees, D. D.1 Peter 2:17
The Brethren and the BrotherhoodBp. Hodges.1 Peter 2:17
The Duty of Honouring All MenH. Stowell, M. A.1 Peter 2:17
The Fear of GodR. Collyer, D. D.1 Peter 2:17
The Honour Due to All MenBp. S. Wilberforce.1 Peter 2:17
The Honour Due to All MenEssex Remembrancer1 Peter 2:17
The Honour of HumanityCanon Liddon.1 Peter 2:17
The Poor -- Two Ways of Treating1 Peter 2:17
The Respect Due to Human NatureW. E. Channing.1 Peter 2:17
The Value of ManW. Arnot.1 Peter 2:17
Value All MenW. Arnot.1 Peter 2:17
Various Political DutiesJ. J. S. Bird, B. A.1 Peter 2:17
Relation of Christians to Civil AuthoritiesR. Finlayson 1 Peter 2:13-17
The Christian's Duty to the StateC. New 1 Peter 2:13-17
People
Peter
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus, Zion
Topics
Believers, Brotherhood, Brothers, Emperor, Fear, Fearing, Honor, Honour, Honouring, Love, Loving, Respect, Shew
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Peter 2:17

     5219   authority, human institutions
     5257   civil authorities
     5361   justice, human
     5370   kingship, human
     5594   tribute
     5661   brothers
     5931   resistance
     7024   church, nature of
     7105   believers
     7120   Christians
     8210   commitment, to God's people
     8243   ethics, social
     8298   love, for one another
     8337   reverence, and behaviour
     8456   obedience, to authorities

1 Peter 2:13-17

     5255   citizenship
     5542   society, positive
     7735   leaders, political

1 Peter 2:17-18

     8471   respect, for human beings

Library
Under the Shepherd's Care.
A NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 25. "Ye were as sheep going astray." This is evidently addressed to believers. We were like sheep, blindly, willfully following an unwise leader. Not only were we following ourselves, but we in our turn have led others astray. This is true of all of us: "All we like sheep have gone astray;" all equally foolish, "we have turned every one to his own way." Our first
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue

The Jewish Rebellions
1 PETER ii. 11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. I think that you will understand the text, and indeed the whole of St. Peter's first Epistle, better, if I explain to you somewhat the state of the Eastern countries of the world in St. Peter's time. The Romans, a short time before St. Peter was born, had conquered all the nations round them, and brought them under law and regular government. St. Peter now tells those
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

Christ the Exemplar
'For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.'--1 Peter ii. 21. These words are a very striking illustration of the way in which the Gospel brings Christ's principles to bear upon morals and duty. The Apostle is doing nothing more than exhorting a handful of slaves to the full and complete and patient acceptance of their hard lot, and in order to teach a very homely and lowly lesson to the squalid minds of a few captives,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Transcriber's Note:
List of corrections and amendments made: Ephesians: Page 36: added closing quote after "the event of our inheritance" (line 3) 102: "gentle words ot" to "to" 154: "it" added in "what it is to hear" 263: [Preached on Whitsunday] was a footnote. 286: (R.V.) to (R.V.). for consistency with other references. 286: "please to understand" to "do" 287: "we shoud be entitled" to "should" 391: added -- and changed Ephes. to Eph. for consistency with other headings 391: added colon after "Mark its
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Spiritual Sacrifices
'... Spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--1 Peter ii. 5. In this verse Peter piles up his metaphors in a fine profusion, perfectly careless of oratorical elegance or propriety. He gathers together three symbols, drawn from ancient sacrificial worship, and applies them all to Christian people. In the one breath they are 'temples,' in the next 'priests,' in the third 'sacrifices.' All the three are needed to body out the whole truth of the relationship of the perfect universal
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Mirrors of God
... That ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness ...'--1 Peter ii. 9. The Revised Version, instead of 'praises,' reads excellencies--and even that is but a feeble translation of the remarkable word here employed. For it is that usually rendered 'virtues'; and by the word, of course, when applied to God, we mean the radiant excellencies and glories of His character, of which our earthly qualities, designated by the same name, are but as shadows. It is, indeed,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Living Stones on the Living Foundation Stone
'To Whom coming, as unto a living stone ... ye also, as living stones, are built up.'--1 Peter ii. 4, 5. I wonder whether Peter, when he wrote these words, was thinking about what Jesus Christ said to him long ago, up there at Caesarea Philippi. He had heard from Christ's lips, 'Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church.' He had understood very little of what it meant then. He is an old man now, years of experience and sorrow and work have taught him the meaning of the words, and he
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Christ Precious to Believers
This remark is uttered by way of introduction, it may seem egotistical, but that I cannot help. I must give glory to God in the midst of the great congregation, and pay my vows to the Lord now in the midst of all his saints, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. My text states a positive fact, namely, that Christ is precious to believers. This shall be the first part of our discourse; then in the second we will try to answer the question, why is Jesus Christ so precious to his believing people? And
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Coming to Christ
"To whom coming."--1 Peter 2:4. IN THESE three words you have, first of all, a blessed person mentioned, under the pronoun "whom"--"To whom coming." In the way of salvation we come alone to Jesus Christ. All comings to baptism, comings to confirmation, comings to sacrament are all null and void unless we come to Jesus Christ. That which saves the soul is not coming to a human priest, nor even attending the assemblies of God's saints; it is coming to Jesus Christ, the great exalted Saviour, once slain,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

The Lively Stones. Rev. W. Morley Punshon.
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."--1 PETER ii. 5. There is a manifest reference in the fourth verse to the personage alluded to in Psalm cxviii. 22, 23: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." And this passage is applied by Christ to himself in Matthew xxi. 42: "Jesus saith unto them, Did
Knowles King—The Wesleyan Methodist Pulpit in Malvern

The Sin-Bearer.
A COMMUNION MEDITATION AT MENTONE. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 24, 25. THE SIN-BEARER. THIS wonderful passage is a part of Peter's address to servants; and in his day nearly all servants were slaves. Peter begins at the eighteenth verse: "Servants, be subject
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

That the Grace of God Doth not Join Itself to those who Mind Earthly Things
"My Son, precious is My grace, it suffereth not itself to be joined with outward things, nor with earthly consolations. Therefore thou oughtest to cast away all things which hinder grace, if thou longest to receive the inpouring thereof. Seek a secret place for thyself, love to dwell alone with thyself, desire the conversation of no one; but rather pour out thy devout prayer to God, that thou mayest possess a contrite mind and a pure conscience. Count the whole world as nought; seek to be alone
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

"For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You...
"For hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow in his steps." It was Friday morning and the Rev. Henry Maxwell was trying to finish his Sunday morning sermon. He had been interrupted several times and was growing nervous as the morning wore away, and the sermon grew very slowly toward a satisfactory finish. "Mary," he called to his wife, as he went upstairs after the last interruption, "if any one comes after this, I wish you would
Charles M. Sheldon—In His Steps

Defective Learning.
"He that believeth on Him shall not be confounded."--1 Peter ii. 6. St. Paul declares that faith is the gift of God (Ephes. ii. 8). His words, "And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God," refer to the word "faith." A new generation of youthful expositors confidently assert that these words refer to "by grace are ye saved." The majority of them are evidently ignorant of the history of the exegesis of the text. They only know that the pronoun "that" in the clause "and that not of yourselves"
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

From Gallienus to the End of the Last Persecution (Ad 261-313)
Valerian, who had treated the Christians so cruelly, came to a miserable end. He led his army into Persia, where he was defeated and taken prisoner. He was kept for some time in captivity; and we are told that he used to be led forth, loaded with chains, but with the purple robes of an emperor thrown over him, that the Persians might mock at his misfortunes. And when he had died from the effects of shame and grief, it is said that his skin was stuffed with straw, and was kept in a temple, as a remembrance
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
OR, NO WAY TO HEAVEN BUT BY JESUS CHRIST. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of those ten excellent manuscripts which were found among Bunyan's papers after his decease in 1688. It had been prepared by him for publication, but still wanted a few touches of his masterly hand, and a preface in his characteristic style. He had, while a prisoner for nonconformity, in 1672, published a treatise upon this subject, in reply to Mr. Fowler, who was soon after created Bishop of Gloucester; but that was
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

God's Peace Obtained in Answer to Prayer
GOD'S PEACE OBTAINED IN ANSWER TO PRAYER ". . . Let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." -- Phil. 4:6, 7. When we make our requests known unto God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we are assured of receiving His peace through Christ Jesus. When we enter into the sacred Presence of the Prince of Peace, we enter into the place of perfect peace. The house of prayer is the sanctuary
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

The First Wall.
Let us, in the first place, attack the first wall. It has been devised, that the Pope, bishops, priests and monks are called the Spiritual Estate; Princes, lords, artificers and peasants, are the Temporal Estate; which is a very fine, hypocritical device. But let no one be made afraid by it; and that for this reason: That all Christians are truly of the Spiritual Estate, and there is no difference among them, save of office alone. As St. Paul says (1 Cor. xii.), we are all one body, though each member
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Of the Primacy of the Romish See.
1. Brief recapitulation. Why the subject of primacy not yet mentioned. Represented by Papists as the bond of ecclesiastical unity. Setting out with this axiom, they begin to debate about their hierarchy. 2. Question stated. An attempted proof from the office of High Priest among the Jews. Two answers. 3. Arguments for primacy from the New Testament. Two answers. 4. Another answer. The keys given to the other apostles as well as to Peter. Other two arguments answered by passages of Cyprian and Augustine.
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

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