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1 Peter 2 – Peter and Paul’s Different Reasoning for Us Submitting to Government Authorities
Peter and Paul’s Different Reasoning for Us Submitting to Government Authorities
Both Peter and Paul argue that as Christians we are to submit to governmental authorities. And while there are similarities in their instructions, when we ask, “How does this submitting to governmental authorities fit into the themes of each book?” And, “Why do these writers include sections on governmental authorities?”, I think we see very different reasoning.
First, let’s look at Paul. There are two ways to answer this question. First, it immediately follows vengeance (Rom.12:19); and how we are to treat evil doers (12:20-21). God’s wrath is on evil doers, both in judgment and through government. However, that answer still doesn’t quite describe how submitting to governmental authorities fits into Paul’s theme for Romans. That theme is a contrast between justification by works of the law and justification by faith. Between those two, which category does the role of human authorities fit under? Works of the law, because government is an avenger on the wicked and rewarder to the good. Government displays a practical example of what justification by works is. Plus it serves as a warning that we don’t want to be justified by our works before God. Government doesn’t allow someone else to pay for our sins via grace and mercy which is part of justification by faith.
Second, let’s look at Peter. Peter’s reasoning is very different than Paul’s. Paul says, “Government comes from God”, which means it is part of how God set up this world to function. Peter says these Christians are “strangers and exiles” (1:1; 2:11); they are to submit because of the Lord (2:13); and that believers are not to use our “freedom” as a cover-up for evil (2:16). The first and last reasoning fit together – because we are strangers and exiles, we are actually “free” from governmental authorities. We are a separate race and nation (2:9). Despite that, we are not to use this freedom for evil; but rather to submit. Freedom, this is another difference between Paul and Peter (at least in Romans and Galatians). Paul argues that we are free from Law and Sin. Peter argues that we are free from human authorities because we are strangers and exiles – “this world is not our home, we are just passing through”. Despite that, we are to act as all citizens act – in submission and obedience. Our true citizenship is elsewhere (as Paul argues in Philippians 1:27 although not in the context of governmental authorities).
Now let’s look at the other reason listed – because of the Lord (2:13). What does that mean? I suggest that based upon the foundation of Jesus’s suffering found throughout 1 Peter, that we live in submission even to suffering as Jesus did. Even though His kingdom was not of this world, Jesus submitted. Christians likewise live under the authority of governmental authorities even though they are under a higher authority because Jesus likewise was a stranger and exile. His kingdom was not of this world.
All this leads to a greater contrast which is foundational in both arguments:
1. Paul says to submit because government is an example of justification by works; therefore, government acts in a way that is the opposite of the gospel which is justification by faith.
2. Peter says to submit because Jesus submitted, and such actions is part of our living the gospel in a world in which we are strangers
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