Charles Ellicott 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)

Governors, as unto them that are sent by him.—This word includes legati, proconsuls, propraetors, procurators, all officers entrusted with the administration of provinces. Of course, the person “by” whom they are here said to be (from time to time) “sent” is Caesar, not “the Lord.” The people to whom the letter is addressed would have very little to do with Caesar himself directly; their submission would be chiefly shown to the lieutenants. Yet, how personal the Imperial government was, even in details, is shown in Pliny’s letters; the very letter before the one in which he asks how to deal with the Christians of Bithynia requests Trajan’s permission to cover an unhealthy stream in the town of Amastris.

For the punishment of evildoers.—St. Peter credits Roman imperialism (rightly in the main) with having as its aim the promotion of moral behavior among its subjects. The word for “punishment” is the one translated as “vengeance” in 2 Thessalonians 1:8, and it implies forcing wrongdoers to make amends to those they had wronged, the “avenger” being, of course, quite impartial.

The “praise” that here, as in Romans 13:3, is said to have been bestowed by the government on welldoers, must mean the solid praise of promotions or honors, which is hardly as prominent a feature of government as the punishment of evildoers. It should be noted that neither St. Peter nor St. Paul lay down any exceptions to the rule of complete obedience. They refuse to contemplate, at least to formulate, the occasions when disobedience may be necessary. Obedience is the first thing to learn, and when they have learned it, they will know for themselves when to disobey. St. Peter himself stands for all time as the example of magnificent disobedience (Acts 4:19).