1 Peter 2:17
What does 1 Peter 2:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 2:17 means
Peter sums up with four brisk commands: honor all people as God’s image-bearers; love the brotherhood with family devotion; fear God with holy reverence, reserving ultimate awe for Him alone; honor the king by showing due respect to civil authority. The order teaches priorities: universal dignity, particular affection for the church, absolute reverence for God, and civic respect. This compact ethic guides believers in complex societies. It cultivates humility, unity, worship, and stability, guarding against both contempt for outsiders and idolatry of rulers. Practiced together, these commands adorn the gospel and steady Christians under pressure.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have respect for all, loving the brothers, fearing God, honouring the king.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to all give ye honour; the brotherhood love ye; God fear ye; the king honour ye.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Shew honour to all, love the brotherhood, fearGod, honour the king.
Context
Verse 17 caps the section on life under authority (vv. 13–17) with a memorable summary. Having addressed the public sphere, Peter will now speak to a vulnerable group—servants—in verses 18–20, applying the same principles to unjust treatment. That will naturally lead to Christ’s example and saving work (vv. 21–25), the ultimate pattern and power for patient endurance. The flow moves from general civic duties to specific household suffering, then to Christological foundation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 20:11
And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Proverbs 1:7
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; Butthe foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
- Leviticus 19:32
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and thou shalt fear thy God: I am Jehovah.
- 1 Samuel 15:30
Then he said, I have sinned: yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship Jehovah thy God.
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