1 Peter 2:14

βασιλεῖ = here primarily the Emperor. If, as seems probable, the Epistle was written during the later years of Nero, loyalty to such an Emperor would be extremely difficult for Christians unless they regarded him, despite his unworthiness, as the representative of a divine institution.

With St Peter’s language about obedience to civil rulers cf. Romans 13:1-4.

ὑποτάγητε … ὡς ὑπερέχοντι εἰς ἐκδίκησιν κακοποιῶν ἔπαινον δὲ� (see Introd. p. lxii).

ὑποτασσέσθω ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις ἔκδικος … τῷ τὸ κακὸν πράσσοντι τὸ�

ὑπερέχοντι, as supreme, i.e. as compared with subordinate magistrates; cf. 1 Timothy 2:2.

ἡγεμόσιν refers chiefly to provincial governors.

διʼ αὐτοῦ. Such governors are here regarded not as sent by the king, but by God through the king as His agent. Cf. John 19:11, also Romans 13:1-2; Romans 13:4; Romans 13:6.

ἐκδίκησιν … ἔπαινον. The retribution on crime inflicted by the magistrates, and the praise which well-doers receive in consequence of their recognition by the magistrates is only an earthly echo of God’s retribution or approval.