Read 1 PETER 2:13–17

In 1908, John T. Dower was working as a secretary for the Y.M.C.A. in Worcester, Mass., when he learned that his uncle had died in Australia—and he was heir to a $10 million fortune. Dower reportedly agreed to travel to Australia to handle his uncle’s postmortem interests, but he said that whether or not he received the $10 million, he intended to keep working at his job in the local Y.M.C.A. branch.

At this point in 1 Peter, the letter has stressed our identity as the people of God, using words such as chosen, holy, and special. We have an eternal inheritance guaranteed by God Himself (1:4). So we might be surprised when our reading opens with the exhortation, “Submit yourselves . . . to every human authority” (v. 13).

Peter has outlined our identity, and now he turns to the practical implications for how we live in the world. As we’ll see throughout the next few chapters, our status as God’s special possession does not exempt us from humility in human relationships. New Testament scholar Karen Jobes argues that the word good that occurs three times in verses 12 through 15 indicates a quality beyond the expected norm. In other words, obeying the law is expected for all people—but Christians should go beyond this to contribute good for the community. Christians not only submit by recognizing the appropriate human governing authorities, they also serve even “the pagans” and “foolish people” by participating in good initiatives that bless all (vv. 12, 15).

The purpose of this service is not to bring attention to our own humility or goodness but to bring glory to God. We submit “for the Lord’s sake”; we do good for others because “it is God’s will” (vv. 13, 15). Ultimately we are able to serve others because we recognize that our true Master is God (v. 16).

APPLY THE WORD

For centuries, Christians have followed this instruction through initiatives that served communities, including building hospitals, staffing food banks, lobbying for prison reform, and volunteering in schools. How can you demonstrate humility by serving others? Look for opportunities sponsored by your church or other Christian groups.

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