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1 Peter 2:14

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Peter 2:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.
1 Peter 2:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Peter 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul;
12having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord`s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
17Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
← 1 Peter 2:131 Peter 2:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Or unto governors, etc.] Inferior magistrates, such as were under the Roman emperor; as proconsuls, procurators, etc. such as Pontius Pilate, Felix, and Festus, who had under the emperor the government of particular nations, provinces, and cities: as unto them that are sent by him; either by the king, the Roman emperor, by whom they were sent, from whom they received their commission, and derived their authority, under whom they acted, and to whom they were accountable; or by God, by whom they are ordained, and whose ministers they are, and for the ends hereafter mentioned; so that this contains an argument or reason why they should be submitted to: for the punishment of evildoers; the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“governors--subordinate to the emperor, "sent," or delegated by CÃ&brvbrsar to preside over the provinces. for the punishment--No tyranny ever has been so unprincipled as that some appearance of equity was not maintained in it; however corrupt a government be, God never suffers it to be so much so as not to be better than anarchy [CALVIN]. Although bad kings often oppress the good, yet that is scarcely ever done by public authority (and it is of what is done by public authority that Peter speaks), save under the mask of right. Tyranny harasses many, but anarchy overwhelms the whole state [HORNEIUS]. The only justifiable exception is in cases where obedience to the earthly king plainly…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Or unto governors - Subordinate officers, appointed by the chief magistrate, over provinces. Perhaps Roman proconsuls are here particularly intended. As unto them that are sent by him - By the king, or the Roman emperor. They represent the supreme power. For the punishment of evil doers - One of the leading ends of government. “The Roman governors had the power of life and death in such conquered provinces as those mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1“ - Doddridge. Ulpian, the celebrated Roman lawyer, who flourished two hundred years after Christ, thus describes the power of the governors of the Roman provinces: “It is the duty of a good and vigilant president to see to it that his province be peaceable…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Or to subordinate governors, or magistrates. 1 Peter 2:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:14 to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right: Cp. Rom 13:3-4.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“for the punishment: Rom 13:3, Rom 13:4 1 Peter 2:15”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification