| Geneva Study Bible Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him {18} for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (18) The second argument taken from the end of this order, which is not only most profitable, but also very necessary: seeing that by that this means virtue is rewarded, and vice punished, in which the peacefulness and happiness if this life consists. People's New Testament 2:14 Or unto the governors. The magistrates placed over the provinces of the Roman empire. Rulers are necessary, for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. Both to punish the evil and to reward the good. Compare Ro 13:1-6. Wesley's Notes 2:14 Or to subordinate governors, or magistrates. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 14. governors-subordinate to the emperor, "sent," or delegated by Cęsar to preside over the provinces. for the punishment-No tyranny ever has been so unprincipled as that some appearance of equity was not maintained in it; however corrupt a government be, God never suffers it to be so much so as not to be better than anarchy [Calvin]. Although bad kings often oppress the good, yet that is scarcely ever done by public authority (and it is of what is done by public authority that Peter speaks), save under the mask of right. Tyranny harasses many, but anarchy overwhelms the whole state [Horneius]. The only justifiable exception is in cases where obedience to the earthly king plainly involves disobedience to the express command of the King of kings. praise of them that do well-Every government recognizes the excellence of truly Christian subjects. Thus Pliny, in his letter to the Emperor Trajan, acknowledges, "I have found in them nothing else save a perverse and extravagant superstition." The recognition in the long run mitigates persecution (1Pe 3:13). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 2:13-17 A Christian conversation must be honest; which it cannot be, if there is not a just and careful discharge of all relative duties: the apostle here treats of these distinctly. Regard to those duties is the will of God, consequently, the Christian's duty, and the way to silence the base slanders of ignorant and foolish men. Christians must endeavour, in all relations, to behave aright, that they do not make their liberty a cloak or covering for any wickedness, or for the neglect of duty; but they must remember that they are servants of God. | 
