1 Peter 2:17 Meaning Explained

1 Peter 2:17

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Notice how "Honor" appears twice, but with different objects: first, a broad command for everyone, and then a specific command for the emperor. This progression isn't just about politeness; it suggests that our respect for governing authorities flows from, and is anchored in, our deeper reverence for God, who is the ultimate authority over all.

What 1 Peter 2:17 means

Peter is guiding his readers, scattered throughout the Roman Empire, on how to live faithfully as aliens and exiles in a world that doesn't always understand or accept them. He's just urged them to submit to earthly authorities, even in difficult circumstances, so this is a call to balance that submission with their higher loyalties and love for one another as believers, ultimately pointing to God's reign. This instruction sets the stage for Peter to talk about living distinctively as God's people, even when misunderstood.

Honor Everyone, Always

The Bible tells us to honor everyone! That sounds impossible sometimes, doesn't it? So, what does it really mean to honor people, even those we disagree with or find difficult?

Peter kicks off this verse with a radical command: Honor everyone. This isn't about agreeing with everyone or thinking everyone is morally good. It's about recognizing the inherent dignity and value God has placed in every single person, simply because they are created in His image.

Recognizing God's Image

When we honor everyone, we're acknowledging that God's imprint is on them, regardless of their actions or beliefs. This calls us to treat people with a basic level of respect, to listen, and to avoid contempt. It’s a challenging call to see past the surface and into the divine spark within.

The Brotherhood Distinction

Then, Peter shifts slightly to love the brotherhood. While general honor extends to all, a deeper, more intimate love is reserved for fellow believers. This is the family of God, and our connection to them is unique and profound.

The Fear of God as Foundation

Two powerful commands follow: 'Fear God. Honor the emperor.' How does fearing God prepare us to honor earthly rulers?

The command to fear God is crucial. This isn't about cowering in terror, but about a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's supreme authority and holiness. It means taking Him seriously, aligning our lives with His will, and understanding that He is the ultimate judge.

Prioritizing Divine Authority

This fear of God acts as the foundation for all other commands, including honoring earthly authorities like 'the emperor.' When our ultimate allegiance and reverence are directed towards God, we can then navigate our relationships with human leaders from a place of right perspective. We honor them because of God's ordained order, not out of idolatrous devotion.

Understand the original words

Original language

Honorτιμάω

timaō · Greek Verb

The act of showing respect, value, or high esteem toward others, grounded in the belief that all people are created in the image of God. In the NT, it is a command to display a proper attitude toward all people regardless of their social standing.

brotherhoodἀδελφότης

adelphotēs · Greek Noun

Refers to the community of believers; the collective body of Christians who are joined together as a family through their shared faith in Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the bond of mutual affection and responsibility among those who belong to God.

Fearφοβέομαι

phobeomai · Greek Verb

In a biblical context, this is a posture of profound reverence, awe, and submission toward the holiness and sovereignty of God. It is the beginning of wisdom and the necessary foundation for proper worship and conduct.

Historical context

Written: Likely mid-60s AD, shortly before Peter's martyrdom.
Author: Traditionally understood as the Apostle Peter, though some scholars suggest a later date and different author.
Location: Likely written from Rome, referred to as 'Babylon' in 1 Peter 5:13.
Genre: Epistle (a letter), characterized by its practical exhortations and rich theological themes.

Historical background

Peter wrote this command during a time of intense Roman pressure and persecution, urging believers to maintain godly order and respect within their communities and towards the ruling powers, even when those powers were hostile.

c. AD 49
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius banished Jews from Rome, an event that likely scattered Jewish communities, including early Christians, throughout the Roman Empire.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire swept through Rome. Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the disaster, sparking the first major imperial persecution.
c. AD 64-67— this verse
Peter's Ministry in Rome
Tradition holds that Peter ministered in Rome during this period, likely writing his first epistle from the city.
c. AD 67
Martyrdom of Peter and Paul
Both Peter and Paul are traditionally believed to have been martyred in Rome under Nero's persecution, a somber context for Peter's final exhortations.

Key themes

01Respect for all people
02Love within the community
03Reverence for God
04Civic responsibility

Cross-references

Romans 13:1-7

This passage echoes the call to submit to governing authorities, including the emperor, by explaining that all authority comes from God and is established for our good.

Philippians 2:3-4

It expands on 'honor everyone' by urging believers to consider others better than themselves and to look out for their interests, not just their own.

1 John 4:21

This verse directly connects the command to 'love the brotherhood' with the overarching command from God to love one another, showing that our love for fellow believers is rooted in God's love for us.

Matthew 22:21

Jesus' famous response, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's,' provides the foundational principle for balancing the call to 'honor the emperor' with our ultimate allegiance to God.

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What 1 Peter 2:17 means

Original language

Honorτιμάω

timaō · Greek Verb

brotherhoodἀδελφότης

adelphotēs · Greek Noun

Fearφοβέομαι

phobeomai · Greek Verb

Historical context

Written: Likely mid-60s AD, shortly before Peter's martyrdom.
Author: Traditionally understood as the Apostle Peter, though some scholars suggest a later date and different author.
Location: Likely written from Rome, referred to as 'Babylon' in 1 Peter 5:13.
Genre: Epistle (a letter), characterized by its practical exhortations and rich theological themes.

Historical background

c. AD 49

Claudius Expels Jews from Rome

Emperor Claudius banished Jews from Rome, an event that likely scattered Jewish communities, including early Christians, throughout the Roman Empire.

c. AD 64

Great Fire of Rome

A devastating fire swept through Rome. Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the disaster, sparking the first major imperial persecution.

c. AD 64-67— this verse

Peter's Ministry in Rome

Tradition holds that Peter ministered in Rome during this period, likely writing his first epistle from the city.

c. AD 67

Martyrdom of Peter and Paul

Both Peter and Paul are traditionally believed to have been martyred in Rome under Nero's persecution, a somber context for Peter's final exhortations.