God made man in His own image, male and female, to have dominion over creation.
"Do not take the Lord's name in vain" runs deeper than swear words. In ancient Eastern culture, to bear a name meant to represent that person.
Israel bore God's name as His covenant people, so bearing it in vain means misrepresenting God.
We are called to be holy as God is holy, and predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Every human images God whether they realize it or not — in speech, reason, building spaceships, grief, joy, love.
Our purpose is not only to image God but to know Him, love Him, and delight in Him.
The commands Peter gives
Be subject to every human institution and to masters — both the good and gentle and the unjust (v. 13, 18).
Three clarifications: authority is designed good (Romans 13), sin makes some authority bad, and we must still obey God over men (Acts 5:29).
If an authority compels you to sin, don't. Be prayerful, wise, humble, seek counsel.
Do good, which puts foolishness to silence (v. 15, 20). God's standard of good is not the world's.
The priest and Levite thought walking past the beaten man was fine; the Samaritan did what was actually good. Joseph forgave his brothers: "You intended it for evil, God meant it for good."
Live free and live as servants (v. 16). Freedom is not license — it is doing what God made us to do.
Honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the emperor — likely Nero (v. 17).
Endure sorrows and suffer unjustly. Tertullian, third century: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."
The Ireland Room: what honor means
On the pastors' retreat in Pittsburgh, Nick, Matt, and Jake worked in the Ireland Room at Pitt's Cathedral of Learning.
Celtic stone masonry, inlaid woodwork, a copy of the Book of Kells, and a plaque: "For the glory of God and the honor of Ireland."
The room honors Ireland by displaying its best and most beautiful aspects.
So honoring every person means honoring the most glorious thing in them — the image of God.
Psalm 139: God wove every person in the womb and is sovereign over every life. Honoring others demonstrates faith in that sovereignty.
Some commentators think Peter takes a subtle shot at the emperor: honor him, but fear God alone.
The "why" behind the commands
If the commands are a car, the why statements are fuel in the tank. Most follow the Greek word gar ("for") — a declarative word that sheds light on the command.
For the Lord's sake (v. 13). God is so committed to His own name's glory that His purposes cannot fail.
It is the will of God (v. 15) that doing good silences ignorance. Not our strength — His will at work in us.
It is a gracious thing in God's sight (v. 19-20). One commentator: God's grace is most evident when we suffer faithfully.
Nick's son Levi rises to help most in emergencies — like a trip to the ER for his sister's high fever. Pressure reveals maturity, and a father treasures it.
To this you have been called (v. 21). Gold is heated repeatedly until the dross melts and the craftsman sees his reflection.
Verse 25 adds a bonus gar: we were straying sheep and have returned to the Good Shepherd.
Key Takeaways
Submission is not defeat — it is one of the clearest ways to display Christ to a watching world.
Obey God first; submit to authority always; never sin at an authority's command.
God's grace shows most clearly in His children when they are pressed hardest and still trust.
When the moment comes to humble yourself, don't grumble or despair — count it an honor.