Submission to Authorities and Christ’s Example in Suffering
1 Peter 2:13-25
1Pet.2.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Υποταγητε: VERB,pres,pass,imp,2,pl
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- ανθρωπινη: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- κτισει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον·ειτε: NOUN,acc,sg,m+CONJ
- βασιλει: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- υπερεχοντι: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 13:1-2 (verbal): Direct parallel instruction to submit to governing authorities; similar language and rationale that rulers are instituted by God.
- Titus 3:1 (thematic): Commands Christians to be subject to rulers and authorities and ready for good works, echoing Peter's exhortation to submission to human institutions.
- 1 Peter 2:18 (structural): Within the same epistle—apostle applies the call to 'submit' to servants/master relationships, using comparable wording and the 'for the Lord' motif.
- Matthew 22:21 (thematic): Jesus' 'Render to Caesar' teaching affirms responsibility toward civil authority and functions as a background for NT calls to submit to rulers.
- Acts 5:29 (thematic): Provides a corrective balance: apostles refuse human commands that conflict with God's will, qualifying how submission to human authorities is to be understood.
Alternative generated candidates
- Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority—whether to a king as supreme,
- Submit yourselves, for the Lord's sake, to every human authority: whether to the emperor as supreme,
1Pet.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειτε: CONJ
- ηγεμοσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ως: ADV
- δι᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- πεμπομενοις: PART,pres,mid/pass,dat,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- εκδικησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κακοποιων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- επαινον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- αγαθοποιων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 13:1-4 (verbal): Explicitly portrays governing authorities as instituted by God and as agents who punish wrongdoers and commend those who do right—close verbal and functional parallel to Peter’s language.
- Titus 3:1 (thematic): Calls Christians to be subject to rulers and authorities and to be ready for every good work, echoing Peter’s exhortation to submit and promote good.
- Matthew 22:21 (allusion): Jesus’ teaching to ‘render to Caesar’ recognizes legitimate secular authority and believers’ duty toward governing powers, resonating with Peter’s instruction about submission to the emperor.
- 1 Peter 2:13 (structural): The immediate context: the command to ‘submit yourselves to every human institution’ (v.13) of which v.14 is a specific application regarding rulers/emperors.
- 1 Peter 2:15 (structural): Follows v.14 and gives the theological rationale—submission is God’s will ‘that you may silence the ignorance of foolish people’—showing how v.14 functions within the argument.
Alternative generated candidates
- or to governors who are sent by him to punish evildoers and to commend those who do right.
- or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
1Pet.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ουτως: ADV
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θελημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αγαθοποιουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- φιμουν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αφρονων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αγνωσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ·: PUNCT
Parallels
- 1 Peter 2:12 (structural): Immediate context: urges honorable conduct among Gentiles so that when they malign Christians they may see your good deeds and glorify God — closely linked to 2:15's aim of silencing ignorance by doing good.
- 1 Peter 3:16 (verbal): Same author and similar wording: good conscience/good conduct leads those who slander Christians to be put to shame; parallels the idea of silencing opponents through righteous behavior.
- Titus 2:8 (verbal): Paulic parallel urging 'sound speech' and blameless behavior so an opponent may be ashamed — echoes the tactic of countering accusations by exemplary conduct.
- Romans 12:21 (thematic): Ethic of overcoming evil with good: rather than retaliating against hostility, respond with good deeds, which aligns with putting to silence the ignorance of hostile people.
- Matthew 5:16 (thematic): Jesus' exhortation to let good works be seen so others may glorify God parallels the notion that visible goodness rebukes or dispels ignorance and maligning speech.
Alternative generated candidates
- For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish people.
- For this is the will of God: that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1Pet.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- ελευθεροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- ως: ADV
- επικαλυμμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- κακιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ελευθεριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλ᾽ως: CONJ
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δουλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Galatians 5:13 (verbal): Explicitly warns believers not to use their freedom as an opportunity for the flesh/evil and links Christian freedom to service (serve one another), paralleling 1 Pet 2:16's refusal of freedom as a 'cloak for evil' and call to be servants.
- Romans 6:22 (verbal): Speaks of being set free from sin and becoming 'slaves of God' (θεοῦ δοῦλοι), echoing 1 Pet 2:16's contrast between freedom and being servants of God—freedom transformed into service to righteousness.
- 1 Peter 2:11 (structural): Immediate context: believers are urged, as sojourners, to abstain from fleshly passions and live honorably—the same section that motivates the warning not to use freedom as a cover for wrongdoing.
- Titus 2:11-12 (thematic): Describes God's grace training believers to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright lives—thematic parallel to refusing freedom as a pretext for evil and instead living as servants of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Live as free persons, and do not use your freedom as a cover for evil, but as servants of God.
- Live as free people, and yet do not use your freedom as a cloak for evil, but as servants of God.
1Pet.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- τιμησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αδελφοτητα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αγαπατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- φοβεισθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- βασιλεα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τιματε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Romans 13:7 (structural): Commands to render due honors (taxes, respect, honor) parallel Peter’s concise list to honor all and give respect to governing authority.
- Hebrews 13:1 (thematic): “Let brotherly love continue” echoes Peter’s injunction to love the brotherhood—same communal ethic.
- John 13:34-35 (thematic): Jesus’ command to love one another as a distinguishing mark parallels Peter’s call to love the Christian community.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 (verbal): “Fear God and keep his commandments” parallels Peter’s short imperative to fear God, linking reverence for God to right conduct.
- Proverbs 24:21 (verbal): “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king” closely parallels Peter’s coupling of fear/honor of God with honor toward the king (ruler).
Alternative generated candidates
- Honor all people. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the king.
- Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1Pet.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- οικεται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- υποτασσομενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- φοβω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δεσποταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- μονον: ADV
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αγαθοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- επιεικεσιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- σκολιοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Ephesians 6:5 (verbal): Commands slaves to obey their earthly masters with fear and trembling, paralleling 1 Pet 2:18's call for servants to be submissive (similar vocabulary and social instruction).
- Colossians 3:22 (verbal): Instructs bondservants to obey in everything their masters, echoing the duty of obedience and submission found in 1 Pet 2:18.
- Titus 2:9 (verbal): Urges bondservants to be obedient and to please their masters, not to talk back, resonating with the exhortation in 1 Pet 2:18 to submit even to harsh masters.
- 1 Timothy 6:1 (thematic): Advises that slaves consider their masters worthy of all honor so God's name is not blasphemed, thematically related to 1 Pet 2:18's teaching on proper Christian behavior in servile relationships.
- 1 Peter 2:21-23 (structural): Immediate context: Peter links servant submission with Christ's example of suffering without reviling—1 Pet 2:18 functions within this larger structural appeal to imitate Christ amid unjust treatment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Servants, be subject to your masters with all reverence—not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
- Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the benevolent and gentle, but also to the unjust.
1Pet.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δια: PREP
- συνειδησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- υποφερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- λυπας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- πασχων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- αδικως·: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Peter 3:14-17 (thematic): Continues the same pastoral argument: Christians are to endure suffering and unjust suffering with a clear conscience and reverent fear of God, turning personal suffering into a witness for Christ.
- 1 Peter 4:12-19 (structural): Develops the same theological framework for Christian suffering — expectations of unjust persecution, rejoicing in participation in Christ's sufferings, and entrusting judgment to God.
- Matthew 5:10-12 (thematic): The Beatitudes promise blessing for those persecuted for righteousness' sake and commend endurance under unjust treatment, resonating with Peter's commendation of suffering with God's conscience.
- Isaiah 53:7-9 (allusion): The Suffering Servant motif of innocent, silent suffering underlies New Testament encouragement to endure unjust suffering; Peter’s language echoes this portrait of righteous, undeserved affliction.
- Philippians 1:29 (verbal): Explicitly frames suffering for Christ as a gracious gift granted to believers—paralleling Peter’s statement that enduring unjust suffering with God‑consciousness is a form of grace.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it is a gracious thing if, mindful of God, someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
- For this is gracious, when, mindful of God, someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1Pet.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ποιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- κλεος: NOUN,nom,sg,neut
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- αμαρτανοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- κολαφιζομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- υπομενειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- αλλ᾽ει: CONJ
- αγαθοποιουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- πασχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- υπομενειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- παρα: PREP
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:7 (allusion): The Suffering Servant who is oppressed and afflicted without opening his mouth echoes the commendation of patient endurance in unjust suffering found in 1 Peter.
- Matthew 5:10-12 (thematic): The beatitude for those persecuted for righteousness' sake parallels the idea that suffering for doing good is honored/blessed before God.
- 1 Peter 3:14-17 (verbal): Same epistle develops the theme: suffering for righteousness' sake (doing good) is not shameful but commendable before God and a reason to bless, not repay evil.
- 1 Peter 4:14-16 (structural): Later in the letter Peter reiterates that suffering as a Christian (for Christ's name) is a cause for blessing and should be borne as part of the Christian calling.
- Philippians 1:29 (thematic): Paul's statement that believers are granted to believe and to suffer for Christ connects with Peter's claim that patient suffering while doing good is a gracious thing from God.
Alternative generated candidates
- For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer and endure, this is acceptable before God.
- For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if, when you do good and suffer, and endure, this is acceptable with God.
1Pet.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- εκληθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επαθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- υπολιμπανων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- υπογραμμον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ινα: CONJ
- επακολουθησητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ιχνεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- αυτου·: PRON,gen,sg,3
Parallels
- 1 Peter 3:18 (verbal): Uses nearly the same language that Christ ‘suffered for sins’/‘suffered for you,’ linking Christ’s suffering as the foundation for believers’ calling.
- Philippians 2:5-8 (thematic): Portrays Christ’s humility and obedience ’unto death,’ providing the moral example of self‑emptying obedience that believers are to imitate.
- Matthew 16:24 (thematic): Jesus’ summons to ‘deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me’ parallels Peter’s call to follow Christ’s footsteps, including sharing in suffering.
- Hebrews 12:2-3 (thematic): Calls believers to fix their eyes on Jesus who endured the cross and so serves as the exemplar for endurance in suffering, echoing 2:21’s appeal to follow his steps.
- 1 Peter 2:23 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same epistle: 2:23 describes Christ’s conduct while suffering (not reviling, entrusting to God), illustrating the ‘example’ mentioned in 2:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- For to this you were called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
- To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1Pet.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- αμαρτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εποιησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- ευρεθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- δολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- στοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αυτου·: PRON,gen,sg,3
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:9 (quotation): LXX/MT prophecy closely echoed by 1 Peter: the servant 'committed no sin' and 'no deceit was found in his mouth'—the primary Old Testament source Peter cites.
- Acts 8:32 (quotation): The Ethiopian eunuch reads Isaiah 53 in the LXX; Luke quotes the same servant‑suffering language that Peter applies to Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (verbal): Paul affirms Christ's sinlessness with similar language ('the one who knew no sin'), linking Jesus' purity to his atoning work.
- Hebrews 4:15 (thematic): Declares Jesus was tempted in every way yet without sin, echoing the theme of Christ's moral perfection found in 1 Peter 2:22.
- John 8:46 (thematic): Jesus challenges opponents to convict him of sin—an implicit claim to the sinlessness that 1 Peter explicitly affirms.
Alternative generated candidates
- He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
- He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
1Pet.2.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- λοιδορουμενος: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αντελοιδορει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- πασχων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηπειλει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- παρεδιδου: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κρινοντι: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,sg,m
- δικαιως·: ADV
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:7 (allusion): The suffering servant 'was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth'—a clear Old Testament source behind Peter's picture of the silent, non‑retaliating Christ.
- Acts 8:32-33 (quotation): The Ethiopian evangelist quotes Isaiah 53:7 about the Messiah's silence in suffering; Acts connects that Isaiah motif directly to Jesus, paralleling Peter's use of it as Christlike example.
- Matthew 27:12-14 (verbal): Jesus remains silent and does not retaliate or answer the chief priests and elders—concrete Gospel example of 'reviled... did not revile; suffering... did not threaten.'
- 1 Peter 4:19 (structural): An internal parallel in Peter: those who suffer according to God's will should 'entrust' their souls to a faithful Creator—mirrors 2:23's commitment to 'him that judgeth righteously.'
- Romans 12:19 (thematic): Paul's injunction to leave vengeance to God ('Vengeance is mine; I will repay') echoes the same principle of refusing personal retaliation and entrusting judgment to the righteous Judge.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he was reviled he did not revile in return; when he suffered he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
- When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
1Pet.2.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- αμαρτιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- ανηνεγκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- σωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ξυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,neut
- ινα: CONJ
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- αμαρτιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- απογενομενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δικαιοσυνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ζησωμεν·ου: VERB,pres,act,sub,1,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μωλωπι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ιαθητε: VERB,aor,pass,subj,2,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:4-5 (quotation): Suffering Servant passage explicitly echoed (’by his wounds/stripes we are healed’; bearing transgressions), which 1 Pet 2:24 directly alludes to/quotes.
- Matthew 8:17 (allusion): Matthew cites Isaiah 53 regarding Jesus bearing infirmities and illnesses—parallels the theme of Christ taking our suffering/sin.
- 1 Peter 3:18 (thematic): Same epistolary theme: Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, effecting reconciliation; complements 2:24's language of bearing sins.
- Romans 6:4-5 (thematic): Paul’s teaching on being united with Christ in death and resurrection (die to sin, live to righteousness) parallels 1 Pet 2:24’s purpose clause.
- Galatians 3:13 (thematic): Paul’s statement that Christ redeemed us by becoming a curse for us echoes the idea of Christ bearing our liability/penalty on our behalf.
Alternative generated candidates
- He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness—by his wounds you have been healed.
- He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
1Pet.2.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- ως: ADV
- προβατα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- πλανωμενοι: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- επεστραφητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- νυν: ADV
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ποιμενα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- επισκοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ψυχων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:6 (verbal): 'All we like sheep have gone astray'—a close verbal and thematic echo of believers 'being as sheep going astray.'
- Psalm 23:1-3 (thematic): The Lord as shepherd who leads, restores and guides his people—background for the shepherd imagery in 1 Peter.
- John 10:11-16 (thematic): Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cares for and lays down his life for the sheep; develops New Testament shepherd‑sheep language used by Peter.
- Ezekiel 34:11-16 (allusion): God's prophetic promise to seek, rescue and shepherd the scattered sheep—an Old Testament precursor to the pastoral imagery Peter applies to Christ.
- Hebrews 13:17 (structural): Leaders 'keep watch over your souls' and will give an account—parallels the oversight/guardianship aspect expressed by 'Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.'
Alternative generated candidates
- For you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- For you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Be subject, for the Lord’s sake, to every human authority—whether to the king as supreme,
or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and to commend those who do right.
For this is the will of God: that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Live as free people, and do not use your freedom as a cloak for wickedness, but as servants of God.
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect—not only to the kind and gentle, but also to the harsh.
For it is commendable if, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is acceptable before God.
For to this you were called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was reviled he did not revile in return; when he suffered he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.