Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 2:14

"or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well." — 1 Peter 2:14 (ASV)

Or unto governors. Subordinate officers, appointed by the chief magistrate, over provinces. Perhaps Roman proconsuls are particularly intended here.

As unto them that are sent by him. By the king, or the Roman emperor. They represent the supreme power.

For the punishment of evil doers. This is one of the primary purposes of government.

"The Roman governors had the power of life and death in such conquered provinces as those mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1." —Doddridge.

Ulpian, the celebrated Roman lawyer, who flourished two hundred years after Christ, thus describes the power of the governors of the Roman provinces: "It is the duty of a good and vigilant president to ensure that his province is peaceable and quiet. And he should diligently search for sacrilegious persons, robbers, man-stealers, and thieves, and punish everyone according to their guilt."

Again, he says, "Those who govern whole provinces have the power of sending to the mines." And again, "The presidents of provinces have the highest authority, next to the emperor."

Peter has described the office of the Roman governors in language very similar to that of Ulpian. See Lardner's Credibility, (Works, vol. 1, p. 77, 8vo ed., London, 1829).

And for the praise of them that do well. Here, praise is contrasted with punishment and means commendation, applause, or reward.

That is, it is part of their responsibility to appropriately reward those who are upright and virtuous citizens.

This would be done by protecting their persons and property, by defending their rights, and perhaps by allowing those who proved themselves trustworthy to share in the honors and emoluments of office.

It is as important a part of the functions of civil authority to protect the innocent as it is to punish the wicked.