1 Peter 2:14
What does 1 Peter 2:14 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 2:14 means
Governors are described as sent by the supreme authority to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do well. Peter affirms the God-given purpose of government: to restrain evil and promote public good. Submission recognizes this legitimate function, even when officeholders themselves fall short. Christians cooperate with rightful authority not because it is always flawless, but because God values order and justice in human society. When rulers fulfill their mandate, they reflect God’s concern for righteousness; when they do not, believers still aim to live peaceably and commend what is good.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And those of the rulers who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of those who do well.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862whether to governors, as to those sent through him, for punishment, indeed, of evil-doers, and a praise of those doing good;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890or to rulers as sent by him, for vengeance on evildoers, and praise to them that do well.
Context
Verse 14 elaborates the call of verse 13 by noting the structure and purpose of civil authority. This grounds the next statement in verse 15: doing good within this framework is God’s will for silencing ignorant accusations. The flow moves from the who (king and governors) to the why (punish/praise), to the effect of believers’ conduct under such authorities (vv. 15–16), culminating in a crisp set of duties in verse 17.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 13:3
For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
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