Submission to Government

What does God tell us about Christian response to government? These words are hard to hear, but vital to obey.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

(1 Peter 2:13–17)

A few thoughts:
How does the notion of submission to government differ from submission to God (cf., Ex. 1:17; Dan. 3:13-18; Heb. 11:23)? If Nero was the emperor at the time of Peter’s writing, how difficult would it have been for the recipients to hear this injunction? What implications does this have for the Christian’s attitude toward the state? According to v. 15, the consequences of submission are favorable. What does Peter have in mind?

Because Christians ultimately belong to God (v. 16) how are they “free” to submit (see Mt. 10:28. For additional insight see Mt. 17:24-27)? Are believers to submit unconditionally to governing authorities? Are there circumstances under which civil disobedience is required for the believer (cf., Acts 4:18-20)?

Verse 17 sums up our general ethical behavior in relation to everyone under the notion of “respect” (the first command is aorist (without relation to time) categorical imperative and the other three are present tense, expressing ongoing behavior in the community of faith).