It was a bitter winter’s day in the Netherlands. A frozen lake surrounded the prison that held Dirk Willems, a man jailed for believing the doctrines of the Reformation. That ice gave him his chance. He escaped, making his way across the frozen surface toward freedom—until he heard a cry behind him: his pursuer had fallen through the ice and was drowning.

Willems had a choice: freedom in front of him, or the life of his persecutor behind him. He turned back. He saved the man. And he was recaptured. Later to be tortured and burned at the stake.

Why would a Christian do that? Why would someone value the life of their persecutor above their own? The answer is the Resurrection! Real Christians believe Jesus really rose from the dead. And if He rose, then His promise of eternal life is certain. Heaven is real. Hell is real. And the inheritance described in 1 Peter 1—imperishable, undefiled, unfading—is secure. That kind of hope frees you to live differently. It frees you—even—to lay down your life for the lost.

Hope in Our Witness

From 1 Peter 2:11 through to 4:11, the apostle shows us how to live out that hope in front of a watching world. We are to “keep it kalos”—to behave in an excellent manner—so that people are compelled to ask, “What is the reason for the hope that is in you?” (3:15–16).

Peter then works this out in different areas of life. In 2:13–17, he applies it to our lives as citizens. Last time, we focused on the command: “Be subject…”

We learnt that Christians are to adopt a fundamental posture of submission to authority because:

• God authorises authority, and
• God requires our submission.

But that raises obvious questions. How far does this go? Do we submit without qualification? Why would God require submission—even to evil regimes? And what does this mean for our freedom?

Peter answers all of these. Here, we begin with the extent of our submission.

How Far Does This Command Go?

1. It Includes Every Human Authority Structure

Peter writes: “Be subject… to every human institution” (v.13)

Literally, “every human creation.” In context, this refers to structures of civil authority—“whether to the emperor as supreme or to governors as sent by him” (vv.13–14). In other words, whatever authority structures exist in society—whatever has been “set up” by human governments—Christians are to submit to them.

This establishes a fundamental posture of submission. We are not to be known as rebels or agitators against authority. Peter later warns against suffering “as a meddler” (4:15). Rebelliousness is not to characterise the Christian.

It also means we cannot excuse ourselves by saying, “This system isn’t biblical,” or “This isn’t how it should be.” Peter’s point is simple: we are to adopt a posture of submission to the authority structures set up by human governments

2. That Even Includes Evil Authority

This becomes especially challenging when we remember Peter’s context—he is writing under Nero!  

Do we really have to submit to wicked rulers? The text leaves little room for manoeuvre. The existence of evil authority does not remove the command. Peter, even with Nero in charge, still says: “Honour the emperor” (v.17). The wickedness of a ruler does not give us an excuse to abandon submission

3. We Are Even to Honour Corrupt Leaders

Christians are called to honour the position of authority, even when the person occupying it is deeply corrupt. We see this lived out in Scripture. Paul, standing before rulers like Felix and Agrippa, does not flatter them or excuse their sin—but he does address them with dignity and respect.

In the military, you may believe that your commanding officer is evil, but you still have to submit to his authority. You even have to salute him! He may be the most despicable person on the planet—but there’s a saying that you salute the badge and not the person. Likewise, Christians can honour someone’s position without respecting the character of the person in that position.

4. We Should Even Pray for Them and Be Thankful for Them

Submission goes further still. It is expressed in prayer. Paul urges that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made… for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

That includes thanksgiving. How can we give thanks for flawed rulers? By recognising the necessity of authority itself. Anarchy is even worse than evil authority. Authority, even when imperfect, is God’s good provision to restrain evil in a fallen world.

5. We Should Even Pay for Them

This submission reaches into very practical territory—our pockets!  Paul writes: “Pay to all what is owed… taxes to whom taxes are owed” (Romans 13:7). And Jesus Himself affirms: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:17).

This applied under rulers like Tiberius Caesar—hardly a model of righteousness. And yet the command stands. Every Christian who wants to obey Christ pays their taxes, even when it feels unjust.

6. But Submission Does Not Equal Moral Support

Submission does not mean moral approval. Christians can submit to authority—pay taxes, show honour, pray for leaders—without endorsing their action. Submission is given because it is commanded, not because it is earned.

7. A Position of Submission to Authority Can Even Include Warning, Rebuking, and Praying for Vengeance

At the same time, a position of submission does not mean we never speak out against the evils committed by those in authority. Scripture consistently shows God’s people speaking against injustice: John the Baptist rebukes Herod, The Psalmists call rulers to account (cf. Psalms 2 and 94).

We are duty-bound to submit—but also duty-bound to call evil what it is. It is possible to do both: to remain submissive to the structure God has ordained, while refusing to affirm the sin that corrupts it.

Conclusion

How do we hold all of this together? By seeing the bigger picture. Peter will go on to show us:

• the motive for our submission (“for the Lord’s sake”),
• the intended result (“for this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish people”),
• and our freedom (“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover- up for evil, but living as servants of God”). This will even teach us that a truly Christian position of submission to authority can also include a willingness to disobey authority under certain circumstances, but that’s for next time.

For now, the emphasis is clear. The extent of submission is broad. It reaches to human civic authority structures—even flawed and corrupt ones—and expresses itself in honour, prayer, and a fundamental attitude of obedience.

Check out Pastor Tom’s sermon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwWVpGA9j9M