Honor everyone
The Greek word for "honor" is "τιμάω" (timao), which means to value, respect, or revere. In the context of 1 Peter, this command is a call to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every individual as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This respect transcends social status, race, or creed, reflecting the Christian principle of universal love and respect. Historically, this was a radical idea in a stratified Roman society, where honor was typically reserved for those of higher status. The call to honor everyone challenges believers to live counter-culturally, embodying Christ's love in all interactions.

Love the brotherhood
The term "brotherhood" comes from the Greek "ἀδελφότης" (adelphotēs), referring to the community of believers. This phrase emphasizes the special bond among Christians, akin to a family relationship. The early church was characterized by deep fellowship and mutual support, as seen in Acts 2:42-47. This love is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to the well-being of fellow believers, reflecting Jesus' command to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34-35). In a world often marked by division, this call to love the brotherhood serves as a powerful testimony to the unity and transformative power of the Gospel.

Fear God
The Greek word for "fear" is "φοβέομαι" (phobeomai), which can mean to be afraid, but in this context, it denotes reverence and awe. This fear is not about terror but about a profound respect for God's holiness and authority. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," highlighting that a proper understanding of God's majesty and power is foundational to a life of faith. In a society where many gods were worshiped, Peter's exhortation to fear God alone underscores the exclusivity and supremacy of the Christian God, calling believers to live in a way that honors Him above all else.

Honor the king
The word "king" here is "βασιλεύς" (basileus), referring to the ruling authority, which, at the time of Peter's writing, would have been the Roman Emperor. Despite the often oppressive and unjust nature of Roman rule, Christians are called to show respect to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7). This does not imply blind obedience, especially when such authorities contradict God's commands, but it does call for a posture of respect and submission to the extent that it aligns with God's will. This instruction reflects a broader biblical principle of respecting authority while ultimately recognizing God's sovereignty over all earthly powers.

(17) Honour all men.--"These words have very briefly, and yet not obscured by briefness, but withal very plainly, the sum of our duty towards God and men; to men, both in general, honour all men, and in special relations, in their Christian or religious relations, love the brotherhood; and in a chief civil relation, honour the king. And our whole duty to God, comprised under the name of His fear, is set in the middle betwixt these, as the common spring of all duty to men, and of all due observance of it, and the sovereign rule by which it is to be regulated" (Leighton). St. Paul had said that this honour was to be paid to those to whom it was due; St. Peter says that this includes all men; there is not one who can be entirely despised, not one who has quite lost the likeness of Christ; Jews are not at liberty to despise even the idolatrous Gentiles.

Love the brotherhood.--See 1Peter 5:9, and Note on 1Peter 1:22. The brotherhood means, of course, all Christian men, who (mystically even now that the Church is divided, but then actually) formed a single confraternity. "All men," Christian or heathen, are to be "honoured," but there is a special sense in which love is only possible between fellow-Christians. For the converse proposition, see Matthew 5:44.

Fear God.--This enforces reverence for every law and ordinance of God, and therefore serves fitly to introduce the next precept. Rebellion against Nero is rebellion against God (Romans 13:2. Bengel compares Proverbs 24:21). . . .

Verse 17. - Honor all men. St. Peter illustrates the well-doing which he enjoins in ver. 15, drawing out his general exhortation into four rules of conduct. First, he bids us give honor to all men. The Christians of Asia Minor saw heathenism and vice all around them; they heard of the abominable life of Nero and his courtiers at Rome. They were conscious of a great and elevating change which had passed over themselves; St. Peter has just been enumerating the dignities and privileges of the Christian life. But they must not be lifted up; they must despise no one, but honor in all men the handiwork of God, created after God's own image, though sadly marred and defaced by sin. Respect is due to all men, of course in varying degrees and to be shown in different ways; but in some sense it is due to all, to the humblest and even to the worst. The aorist imperative (τιμήσατε) seems to lay down this principle as a sharp, definite rule, to be accepted at once, and to be applied as need arises, according to the circumstances of each case. The three following imperatives are present; the duties which they prescribe are viewed as continuous, recognized elements in well-doing. There was something new and strange in the command to honor all men; it is expressed forcibly, once for all, by the aorist imperative. Love the brotherhood. The word ἀδελφότης, brotherhood, is peculiar to St. Peter; it stands for the aggregate of Christian brethren regarded as one body in Christ. The Lord bids us "love our enemies." St. Peter's rule does not weaken the force of the Savior's precept. But love must vary in depth and degree according to the varying relations of life; and the love which true Christians feel for the like-minded must be one of its strongest forms. Fear God. Honor the king. The holy fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of God as the King of kings will lead us to give due honor to earthly princes, who rule by his controlling providence. It was especially necessary to urge the fear of God as a motive, when the king to be honored was such as Nero.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Treat everyone with high regard:
τιμήσατε (timēsate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5091: From timios; to prize, i.e. Fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere.

Love
ἀγαπᾶτε (agapate)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brotherhood [of believers],
ἀδελφότητα (adelphotēta)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 81: From adephos; brotherhood, i.e. The fraternity.

fear
φοβεῖσθε (phobeisthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

God,
Θεὸν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

honor
τιμᾶτε (timate)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5091: From timios; to prize, i.e. Fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

king.
βασιλέα (basilea)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.


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NT Letters: 1 Peter 2:17 Honor all men (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)