Treat everyone with high regard:This phrase emphasizes the Christian principle of showing respect and dignity to all individuals, reflecting the belief that every person is made in the image of God (
Genesis 1:27). In the cultural context of the early church, this was a radical idea, as society was deeply divided by class, ethnicity, and religion. The call to treat everyone with high regard aligns with Jesus' teaching in
Matthew 7:12, known as the Golden Rule, and echoes the inclusive nature of the Gospel message.
Love the brotherhood of believers:
The "brotherhood of believers" refers to the Christian community, emphasizing the familial bond among those who follow Christ. This love is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to the well-being of fellow Christians, as seen in 1John 3:16-18. The early church, often facing persecution, relied heavily on mutual support and love, as described inActs 2:42-47. This phrase underscores the importance of unity and solidarity within the body of Christ.
Fear God:
To "fear God" means to have a profound reverence and respect for the Almighty, acknowledging His sovereignty and holiness. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It involves recognizing God's authority and living in obedience to His commandments. In the New Testament, this reverence is balanced with the understanding of God's love and grace, as seen inPhilippians 2:12-13.
Honor the king:
This instruction reflects the early Christian teaching on the relationship between believers and governing authorities. Despite the Roman Empire's often oppressive rule, Christians were called to respect and honor their leaders, as articulated inRomans 13:1-7. This was not an endorsement of all governmental actions but a recognition of God's sovereignty in establishing authorities. The historical context of this directive is significant, as it was written during a time when Christians were beginning to face increased scrutiny and persecution from the Roman government.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe apostle of Jesus Christ, traditionally credited with writing this epistle. He addresses the early Christian communities scattered throughout Asia Minor.
2.
The Brotherhood of BelieversRefers to the community of Christians who are united in faith and love for one another.
3.
GodThe supreme being, creator, and sustainer of the universe, whom Christians are called to fear, meaning to have reverence and awe.
4.
The KingIn the context of the Roman Empire, this would refer to the emperor or ruling authority. Peter calls for respect towards governing authorities.
5.
Asia MinorThe region where the recipients of Peter's letter were located, facing various trials and persecutions.
Teaching Points
Respect for All PeopleChristians are called to treat everyone with high regard, reflecting the love and respect that Christ showed to all individuals.
Love Within the ChurchThe brotherhood of believers should be marked by love and unity, serving as a testimony to the world of Christ's love.
Reverence for GodFearing God involves a deep respect and awe for His holiness and authority, guiding our actions and decisions.
Honor for AuthorityHonoring the king or governing authorities is a biblical principle, recognizing their role in maintaining order and justice.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Peter 2:17?
2.How can we "honor everyone" in our daily interactions and relationships?
3.What does it mean to "fear God" in today's world?
4.How does "honor the king" apply to respecting authority figures today?
5.How can loving the "brotherhood of believers" strengthen our church community?
6.What other scriptures emphasize honoring others and fearing God?
7.How does 1 Peter 2:17 define the balance between honoring authority and fearing God?
8.What historical context influenced Peter's instruction in 1 Peter 2:17?
9.How does 1 Peter 2:17 challenge modern views on authority and respect?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 2?
11.How do you show honor to others?
12.How do you show honor to others?
13.What are Gypsies and their beliefs?
14.Should Christians use transgender pronouns?What Does 1 Peter 2:17 Mean
Treat everyone with high regard“Treat everyone with high regard…” (1 Peter 2:17)
The command is sweeping—no one is exempt from respectful treatment.
• Every person bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27), so dignity is non-negotiable.
• Partiality violates faith in Christ (James 2:1-4); social labels or economic standing must not determine our respect.
• Jesus illustrated neighbor-love through the Samaritan who crossed ethnic and religious lines to help a wounded stranger (Luke 10:30-37).
Practical steps: speak courteously, listen attentively, and refuse gossip or belittling humor. Honor is the default setting for every interaction.
Love the brotherhood of believers“…love the brotherhood of believers…” (1 Peter 2:17)
Family affection within the church is more than warm feelings; it is sacrificial commitment.
• Jesus gave the new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you…” (John 13:34-35).
• Real love lays down life (1 John 3:16-18); words become deeds—meals shared, needs met, hurts healed.
• “Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
When believers love this way, the watching world glimpses Christ’s reality.
Fear God“…fear God…” (1 Peter 2:17)
Holy reverence keeps every other duty in balance.
• “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Respect for His majesty shapes character and choices.
• Jesus said, “Fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Awe of God outweighs fear of men.
• Solomon’s conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Healthy fear anchors obedience, fuels worship, and guards against compromise.
Honor the king“…honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)
The call to respect governing authorities remains even when leaders are imperfect.
• “There is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1-7). Submission expresses trust in His sovereign ordering of society.
• “Remind them to be subject to rulers…to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). Active citizenship pairs obedience with service.
• God instructed exiles to “seek the welfare of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7), proving that honor includes praying for and contributing to national good.
• When earthly commands conflict with God’s, believers follow the apostles’ example: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), yet they still spoke respectfully.
Honoring leaders means paying taxes, obeying laws, praying for officials, and addressing disagreements with integrity.
summary1 Peter 2:17 offers a concise, four-fold pattern for Christian conduct: respect everyone, cherish fellow believers, revere God above all, and honor civil authorities. Living this way displays the gospel’s transforming power and aligns daily life with God’s revealed will.
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Honour all men.--"These words have very briefly, and yet not obscured by briefness, but withal very plainly, the sum of our duty towards God and men; to men, both in general,
honour all men,and in special relations, in their Christian or religious relations,
love the brotherhood; and in a chief civil relation,
honour the king. And our whole duty to God, comprised under the name of His
fear,is set in the middle betwixt these, as the common spring of all duty to men, and of all due observance of it, and the sovereign rule by which it is to be regulated" (Leighton). St. Paul had said that this honour was to be paid to those to whom it was due; St. Peter says that this includes all men; there is not one who can be entirely despised, not one who has quite lost the likeness of Christ; Jews are not at liberty to despise even the idolatrous Gentiles.
Love the brotherhood.--See1Peter 5:9, and Note on1Peter 1:22. The brotherhood means, of course, all Christian men, who (mystically even now that the Church is divided, but then actually) formed a single confraternity. "All men," Christian or heathen, are to be "honoured," but there is a special sense in which love is only possible between fellow-Christians. For the converse proposition, seeMatthew 5:44.
Fear God.--This enforces reverence for every law and ordinance of God, and therefore serves fitly to introduce the next precept. Rebellion against Nero is rebellion against God (Romans 13:2. Bengel comparesProverbs 24:21). . . .
Verse 17. -
Honor all men. St. Peter illustrates the well-doing which he enjoins in ver. 15, drawing out his general exhortation into four rules of conduct. First, he bids us give honor to all men. The Christians of Asia Minor saw heathenism and vice all around them; they heard of the abominable life of Nero and his courtiers at Rome. They were conscious of a great and elevating change which had passed over themselves; St. Peter has just been enumerating the dignities and privileges of the Christian life. But they must not be lifted up; they must despise no one, but honor in all men the handiwork of God, created after God's own image, though sadly marred and defaced by sin. Respect is due to all men, of course in varying degrees and to be shown in different ways; but in some sense it is due to all, to the humblest and even to the worst. The aorist imperative (
τιμήσατε) seems to lay down this principle as a sharp, definite rule, to be accepted at once, and to be applied as need arises, according to the circumstances of each case. The three following imperatives are present; the duties which they prescribe are viewed as continuous, recognized elements in well-doing. There was something new and strange in the command to honor all men; it is expressed forcibly, once for all, by the aorist imperative.
Love the brotherhood. The word
ἀδελφότης, brotherhood, is peculiar to St. Peter; it stands for the aggregate of Christian brethren regarded as one body in Christ. The Lord bids us "love our enemies." St. Peter's rule does not weaken the force of the Savior's precept. But love must vary in depth and degree according to the varying relations of life; and the love which true Christians feel for the like-minded must be one of its strongest forms.
Fear God. Honor the king. The holy fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of God as the King of kings will lead us to give due honor to earthly princes, who rule by his controlling providence. It was especially necessary to urge the fear of God as a motive, when the king to be honored was such as Nero.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Treat everyone with high regard:τιμήσατε(timēsate)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5091:From timios; to prize, i.e. Fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere.Loveἀγαπᾶτε(agapate)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 25:To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.brotherhood [of believers],ἀδελφότητα(adelphotēta)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 81:From adephos; brotherhood, i.e. The fraternity.fearφοβεῖσθε(phobeisthe)Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399:From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.God,Θεὸν(Theon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.honorτιμᾶτε(timate)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5091:From timios; to prize, i.e. Fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.king.βασιλέα(basilea)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935:A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.
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NT Letters: 1 Peter 2:17 Honor all men (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) 
