John Calvin Commentary 1 Peter 2:17

"Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." — 1 Peter 2:17 (ASV)

This is a summary of what has gone before, for he implies that God is not feared, nor are people given what is justly theirs, unless civil order prevails among us and magistrates retain their authority. His instruction that honor be given to all, I explain as meaning that no one is to be neglected; for it is a general precept that refers to social interactions among people. The word honor has a wide meaning in Hebrew, and we know that the apostles, though they wrote in Greek, followed the meaning of words from that former language. Therefore, this word conveys no other idea to me than that regard should be shown to everyone, since we should cultivate, as much as we can, peace and friendship with all. Indeed, there is nothing more adverse to concord than contempt.

What he adds regarding the love of brethren is special, as contrasted with the first clause, for he speaks of that particular love which we are commanded to have toward the household of faith, because we are connected with them by a closer relationship. And so Peter did not omit this connection. Yet he reminds us that although brethren are to be specially regarded, this should not prevent our love from extending to the whole human race. The word fraternity, or brotherhood, I take to mean the brethren collectively.

As for Fear God, I have already said that Peter applies all these clauses to the subject he was discussing. For he means that honor paid to kings proceeds from the fear of God and the love of humankind, and that, therefore, it should be connected with them. It is as though he had said, “Whoever fears God, loves his brethren and the whole human race as he should, and will also give honor to kings.” But, at the same time, he expressly mentions the king, because that form of government was more disliked than any other, and other forms are included under it.