Living Honorably – (1 Peter 2:11-17)

Jeffrey Perry   -   July 23, 2025

In the first two chapters of 1 Peter, the apostle has laid the foundation for a robust understanding of the believer’s identity in Christ—one that is grounded in the gospel and anchored in the living hope that we have as God’s chosen people, and directing our gaze to the hope that is coming at the return of Christ.

From this secure foundation, Peter now shifts his focus to how exiles, living as strangers in the world, are to respond to their identity. The call is not only to endure but to actively engage in the world with lives that reflect their heavenly citizenship.

Edmund Clowney highlights an important parallel between the exiles in Peter’s day and the exiles in Babylon during the time of Jeremiah. Just as the Israelites in Babylon were called to “seek the welfare of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7), so too are Christians in this world called to live in peace, to submit to authority, and to be a witness to the transformative power of the gospel.

Ultimately, Peter’s message is clear: the exiles are to live honorably, showing love and submission in all areas of life. It is through this submission, in all its forms, that the exiles are to reflect the nature of Christ to the watching world.

A Call to Holiness (v. 11-12)

Peter begins this section with a loving reminder: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles” (v. 11).

This phrase is significant because it serves as a reminder of the exiles’ true identity. They are beloved—chosen and dearly loved by God. This is not a demand or a burden placed upon them, but a comfort. Before Peter calls them to action, he reminds them of who they are in Christ.

The indicatives (what God has done) precede the imperatives (how they should live). This is a crucial aspect of Christian living. Our actions are rooted and must be understood in the context of our identity in and union with Christ.

Peter goes on to call them “sojourners and exiles,” reminding them that they are citizens of a heavenly kingdom and not of the domain in which they are living. They are not to allow themselves to be consumed by the world around them because it is not their home. Although they live in the world, their lives are not to be dictated by it. They belong to a different kingdom, with a different set of values.

Peter urges them to abstain from “the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (v. 11). These passions are not just outward actions but inward desires—anything that seeks to draw the believer’s focus away from their heavenly reality. Whether it’s political, financial, or personal desires that distract from the eternal kingdom, these passions are destructive, and they pull the believer away from their true citizenship. The phrase that Peter uses literally means to soldier against. The apostle views the passions of the flesh (anything that would draw the believer’s focus) as participants in an army that is fighting for the focus of the sojourners.

Peter’s call to abstain is a call to live in light of who they are, in light of their actual identity, in light of being God’s chosen people, set apart for His purposes. These earthly passions wage war against the soul, pulling them away from the identity and mission that God has called them to. In abstaining, the exiles are resisting these distractions, remaining focused on their ultimate hope in Christ.

A Call to Be a Witness (v. 12)

Peter then instructs the exiles to keep their “conversation honest among the Gentiles” (v. 12). The word conversation here refers to behavior or how they live in the world. Their lives should reflect their heavenly citizenship, with actions that testify to the transformative power of the gospel. The purpose of this honorable conduct is clear, so that when they “speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

The exiles are not to be concerned with vindicating themselves against the world’s accusations, but with living in such a way that their good works reflect the grace of God. Even when the world speaks evil of them, their conduct should be so winsome, so full of grace, that it silences the critics. Ultimately, when God comes to those who speak evil, in His mercy, those who have witnessed the exiles’ good works will give glory to God. Their lives, lived honorably, will point to the greatness of God’s redemptive work.

A Call to Live Other-Worldly (v. 13-17)

Peter then transitions into a more detailed explanation of how the exiles are to live other-worldly lives. The call is to submit to the governing authorities, not because they are good or deserving, but because God has ordained them.

Peter writes, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him” (v. 13-14).

Submission for the Lord’s Sake (v. 13)

The exiles are called to submit to human authorities not because those authorities are perfect, but because God has placed them in authority. This submission is ultimately for the Lord’s sake.

As Christians, we submit not out of fear or obligation to earthly rulers, but as an act of trust in God’s sovereign plan. By submitting to authority, we acknowledge that God is in control, and we trust that He is working through these human institutions, even when we don’t understand His purposes. This submission is an act of worship, reflecting the submission of Jesus Himself.

Submission for Society’s Sake (v. 14)

Peter continues, explaining that submission is also for the sake of society. “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (v. 15). Submission to authority upholds the moral structure of society.

J. Montgomery Boice writes that when Christians submit to authority, they uphold the morality of society. Our actions as citizens reflect the transformative power of the gospel and provide a witness to those around us. Submission, then, is not a passive act but an active participation in God’s work in the world. Our submission serves as a witness to the world that God is sovereign and that His kingdom is not of this world.

Submission for the Gospel’s Sake (v. 15)

The third reason for submission is for the gospel’s sake. Submission reflects the example of Jesus Christ, who submitted to the will of the Father, even to the point of death. Our submission to authority reflects the humility and sacrificial love of Christ.

As believers, we are free to submit because Christ has already secured our freedom. In submission, we reflect the submission of Christ, and in doing so, we give a powerful testimony to the world.

A Call to Honor All People (v. 17)

Peter closes this section with a call to honor all people. “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” (v. 17).

This is a succinct summary of the Christian’s relationship to both the world and the Church. We are to honor all people, showing respect and dignity to those around us, regardless of their position or status.

We are to love the brotherhood, the family of believers, with fervent affection, and we are to live in awe of God, acknowledging His supremacy in all things.

Finally, we are to honor the emperor, submitting to governing authorities while recognizing that God is the ultimate authority.

The apostle emphasizes that we do not silence the foolishness of the world by shouting louder or by engaging in hostile opposition. Instead, we silence it by submitting to God’s authority, by living lives of honor, love, and reverence.

Submission is the countercultural way that we proclaim the gospel in a world that is hostile to it. Our perseverance in faith is fueled by the strength we find in corporate worship, where we remind ourselves of our true identity as God’s people and our ultimate allegiance to His kingdom. And this produces in the lives of believers submission and love that works towards God’s ordained ends.

In our submission and good works, we echo the love and sacrifice of Christ, showing the world that our ultimate allegiance is to a kingdom not of this world. This way of life, rooted in our identity as God’s chosen people, becomes a powerful witness to a watching world, drawing them to the hope that we have in Christ.

Our perseverance is not driven by self-effort but by the grace of God, which sustains us through corporate worship, where we are reminded of our heavenly citizenship and the unshakable hope we have in Christ. As we live this way, we honor God and point others to the glory of His redemptive work.