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1 Peter 2:11-13
New Catholic Bible
1 Peter 2:11-13
New Catholic Bible
God’s People in a Hostile World[a]
11 Lead a Good Life amidst Pagans.[b] Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles not to succumb to the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 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.[c] For the Lord’s sake, submit to every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme
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- 1 Peter 2:11 The author sets forth a few practical implications of what it means to be God’s people in a hostile world. Christians are to be submissive to others—to civil authority, to masters, and to spouses in imitation of Christ’s submissiveness. He ends up citing five virtues from Christ’s life that should be of help to all.
- 1 Peter 2:11 Christians are to be on their best behavior in the midst of pagans even if for a time they are greeted with criticism and hostility because they do not accept the morals of the age. On the day of the Lord’s arrival, everything will be made clear. While they wait for that day, Christians are on earth as a pilgrim people, i.e., they do not put their stamp of approval on any society and any culture.
- 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.
