Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Peter 2:16-17

"as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." — 1 Peter 2:16-17 (ASV)

And not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

A great deal of stress is sometimes placed upon that last precept, and I would place just as much emphasis upon it as the Scripture does; but remember the earlier command also: Honour all men.

"A man's a man for that." Whatever his condition may be, honour the manhood that is in him. Do not despise him because he is poor, or because his coat is not so fashionably cut as yours is; for, perhaps, he may be a better man than you are: Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.