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12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles so that, although they now malign you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

13 Christianity Is Not a Subversive Group.[a] For the Lord’s sake, submit to every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme 14 or of governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do good works.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:13 Christianity is not subversive and does not oppose the organization of society on principle. The first persecutions were based on such accusations, and it is one more reason to stress their loyalty but also their sense of freedom. Political power has its ultimate foundation in God the Creator of human society, and not in the personality of those who govern (see Rom 13:1-7; Tit 3:1). In the Book of Revelation, the Christian attitude toward the imperial power will be less serene.

12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(A) and glorify God(B) on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(C) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong(D) and to commend those who do right.(E)

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