Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 2:13

"Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord`s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;" — 1 Peter 2:13 (ASV)

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. Greek: "to every creation of man" (anthrōpinē ktisei). The meaning is, every institution or appointment of man—that is, of those who are in authority or who are appointed to administer government.

The laws, institutes, and appointments of such a government may be spoken of as the "creation of man"—that is, as what man makes. Of course, what is said here must be understood with the limitation everywhere implied: that what is ordained by those in authority is not contrary to the law of God (see the notes on Acts 4:19).

On the general duty enjoined here of subjection to civil authority, see the notes on Romans 13:1-7.

For the Lord's sake. Because He has required it and has entrusted this power to civil rulers (see the notes on Romans 13:6).

Compare with the notes on Ephesians 6:7.

Whether it be to the king. It has been commonly supposed that there is reference here to the Roman emperor, who might be called king because the supreme power resided in him.

The common title of the Roman sovereign was, as used by Greek writers, autokratōr, and among the Romans themselves, imperator (emperor); but the title king was also given to the sovereign. For example, We have no king but Cesar (John 19:15), and And these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus (Acts 17:7).

Peter undoubtedly had particular reference to the Roman emperors, but he uses a general term that would be applicable to all in whom the supreme power resided. The injunction here would require submission to such authority, by whatever name it might be called.

The meaning is that we are to be subject to that authority, whether exercised by the sovereign in person or by those appointed by him.

As supreme. This means not supreme in the sense of being superior to God or not being subject to Him, but in the sense of being over all subordinate officers.