11 [a]Dearly beloved, [b]I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, (A)[c]abstain from fleshly lusts [d]which fight against the soul,

12 (B)[e] And have your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that they which speak evil of you as of evil doers, [f]may by your good (C)works which they shall see, glorify God in the day of [g]visitation.

13 (D)[h] Therefore submit yourselves unto [i]all manner ordinance of man [j]for the Lord’s sake, [k]whether it be unto the King, as unto the superior,

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:11 He returneth to that general exhortation.
  2. 1 Peter 2:11 A reason why we ought to live holily, to wit, because we are citizens of heaven, and therefore we ought to live according to the Laws not of this world, which is most corrupt, but of the heavenly city, although we be strangers in the world.
  3. 1 Peter 2:11 Another argument: The children of God live not according to the flesh, that is, according to that corrupt nature, but according to the spirit. Therefore fleshly motions ought not to bear rule in us.
  4. 1 Peter 2:11 The third argument: for although those lusts flatter us, yet they cease not to fight against our salvation.
  5. 1 Peter 2:12 The fourth argument, taken of the profit of so doing: for by this means also we provide for our good name and estimation, whilest we compel them at length to change their minds, which speak evil of us.
  6. 1 Peter 2:12 The fifth argument, which also is of great force: Because the glory of God is greatly set forth by that means, whilst by example of our honest life, even the most profane men are brought unto God, and submit themselves unto him.
  7. 1 Peter 2:12 When God shall also have mercy on them.
  8. 1 Peter 2:13 That which he spoke generally, he now expoundeth by parts, describing severally every man’s duty. And first of all he speaketh of obedience which is due both to the Laws, and also to the Magistrates both higher and lower.
  9. 1 Peter 2:13 By ordinance, is meant the framing and ordering of civil government: which he calleth ordinance of man, not because man invented it, but because it is proper to men.
  10. 1 Peter 2:13 The first argument: because the Lord is the author and revenger of this policy of men, that is, which is set amongst men: and therefore the true servants of the Lord must above all others be diligent observers of this order.
  11. 1 Peter 2:13 He preventeth a cavil which is made by some, that say they will obey Kings and the higher magistrates, and yet contemn their ministers: as though their ministers were not armed with their authority which sent them.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends,(A) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,(B) to abstain from sinful desires,(C) which wage war against your soul.(D) 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(E) and glorify God(F) on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(G) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,

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