Living Among The Nations

This devotion is written by Ruth Anne Reese and is entitled “God’s New Family and the Gift of Salvation.” This article can be found in Ruth Anne Resse’ book, “The Letter of 1 Peter.”

Key Observation. As God’s servants, we should honor everyone.

Understanding the Word. Everyone in the first century understood that the household was the fundamental building block of society. The ancient household consisted of mother, father, children, slaves, former slaves, and others. The emperor himself was referred to as the father of the country. Two important values shaped life: honor and kinship. To be an honorable person and act in honorable ways was one of life’s highest goals. It was more important than being wealthy. And, it was often connected to one’s family. Those who came from high-status families, such as the imperial family, had honor simply because of their birth. Those who had no right to citizenship in the empire were shamed and despised because of their low status. Peter has spent the first part of the book showing the believers that they now belong to the most honorable family—the family of God.

Even as members of God’s family, Peter still instructs them to respect the authority of human institutions. Note, these institutions are human and not divine. They are to respect the emperor and his rulers for the Lord’s sake. This is a way of honoring God. Their respect for authority cannot be unquestioning. For example, they could not worship Caesar as a god even if it was demanded. Nor could they denounce Jesus before the authorities. But they were asked to yield to the authority of the empire.

First Peter was written at the height of the Roman Empire. The empire used military force to create peace throughout the Mediterranean world. The Romans expected the provinces they ruled to submit to them and honor them. When Peter instructs his audience of resident aliens to respect the authority of the state, he encourages them to act like the world around them. But they don’t act this way because the Romans think they should, but rather for the Lord’s sake. They want to act in ways that will not bring shame to the name of Jesus or to God’s household. Most of us live in a democracy and must seek wisdom to understand how Peter’s words apply to our context. One measure is to ask whether our activities are good, honorable, and bring glory to God and God’s household. Another measure is to ask whether the church is truly living as slaves who do the bidding of their Master, God.

Believers are to conduct themselves with honor (2:12) and do good works. This way of life was designed to silence ignorant people—another description of those who do not know Jesus. No matter what their status in life, they were to live as people who were free. But they are not to use their freedom to do evil. They are not to use their status as members of God’s family as an excuse for evil. Indeed, they are to see themselves as God’s slaves—part of the ancient household.

Finally, Peter instructs them to honor everyone, including the emperor. The emperor is not more important than others. At the center is the command to love their fellow Christians (see 1:22–23) and to fear God (see 1:17).