1 Peter 2:15 - Submission to Authorities

For it is God’s will
This phrase emphasizes the divine purpose and intention behind the actions of believers. In the context of 1 Peter, the apostle Peter is addressing Christians who are facing persecution and suffering. The concept of God's will is central to the Christian faith, as seen in other scriptures such as Romans 12:2, which speaks of discerning God's will, and Ephesians 5:17, which encourages understanding what the Lord's will is. The idea is that believers are to align their actions with God's desires, reflecting His character and purposes in the world.

that by doing good
The call to "doing good" is a recurring theme in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Peter and Paul. This phrase suggests active engagement in righteous and benevolent actions, which are a testimony to one's faith. In the cultural context of the early church, Christians were often misunderstood and maligned, so their good deeds served as a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:16, where believers are encouraged to let their light shine before others through good works.

you should silence the ignorance
The term "silence" here implies putting to rest or refuting false accusations and misunderstandings. The "ignorance" refers to a lack of knowledge or understanding about the Christian faith and its followers. In the historical context, early Christians were often accused of subverting social norms and were misunderstood by the Roman authorities and the general populace. By living exemplary lives, Christians could counteract these misconceptions, as seen in Titus 2:7-8, where believers are urged to show integrity and soundness in their actions to silence opponents.

of foolish men
"Foolish men" in this context refers to those who lack spiritual insight and understanding, often characterized by their rejection of God's truth. The Bible frequently contrasts wisdom and foolishness, with true wisdom being rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Paul discusses how the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but is the power of God to those who are being saved. The ignorance of foolish men is not just intellectual but spiritual, and the conduct of believers serves as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Peter
The apostle and author of the epistle, writing to encourage and instruct believers in Asia Minor.

2. Believers in Asia Minor
The recipients of Peter's letter, facing persecution and misunderstanding from non-believers.

3. Foolish Men
Those who are ignorant of God's truth and may speak against Christians out of misunderstanding or malice.

Teaching Points

Understanding God's Will
Recognize that part of God's will for believers is to engage in good works that reflect His character and truth.

The Power of Good Works
Good deeds are not just moral actions but are powerful testimonies that can counteract false accusations and misunderstandings.

Responding to Ignorance
Instead of retaliating against those who misunderstand or oppose us, we are called to respond with consistent goodness.

Living as Witnesses
Our lives should be a testament to God's truth, effectively silencing critics through our conduct.

Perseverance in Doing Good
Even when faced with opposition, continue steadfastly in doing good, trusting that God uses our actions for His purposes.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 2Why do Christians often act just like non-Christians?What factors cause some churches to thrive or die?1 Peter 2:13–14: How can we reconcile the instruction to submit to all human authorities with moral responsibility and examples of civil disobedience elsewhere in the Bible? What are the main themes in 1 Peter?

(15) For so is the will of God.--This refers to the command contained in the last two verses, which then is further explained by the clause which follows, "that with well-doing." See a very similar construction in 1Thessalonians 4:3. The "well-doing" of this and the last verse bears the most general sense of good conduct, not the special sense noticed on the "fair works" and "fair life" of 1Peter 2:12.

Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.--A very contemptuous expression, the word for "put to silence" being the same as in 1Corinthians 9:9; 1Timothy 5:18, to "muzzle" or "gag," implying that there is something of the animal about these "foolish men." The same contempt appears in each word of the clause, even down to "men," which might be rendered "people" or "creatures." The word for "ignorance" implies a stolid and wilful ignorance, and is so used by heathen authors, as well as very markedly in the only other place in the New Testament, 1Corinthians 15:34. "Foolish," too, contains moral reprobation, Luke 11:40; Luke 12:20; 1Corinthians 15:36. suggesting thoughtlessness rather than senselessness. The definite article is also used in the Greek (as in 2Thessalonians 3:2), and again seems to indicate that St. Peter had some particular enemies in view who had brought the charges. This accusation was evidently one of a political nature; and, indeed, history shows us that the hostility of the empire to the faith was entirely based on the corporate nature of the Christian religion. They would not have minded the cultus, but they could not tolerate the Church. Pliny distinctly says in his letter to Trajan, that it was in consequence of Trajan's issuing an order against het?ri? or societies, that he was led to contend with the Christians in Bithynia. . . .

Verse 15. - For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The Gentiles speak against the Christians as evil-doers; they are to put their accusers to silence by well-doing; this is to be their answer rather than indignant self-vindication. The Greek word rendered "put to silence" (φιμοῦν) means literally "to muzzle" (comp. Matthew 22:12; Mark 4:39; 1 Corinthians 9:10). The word for "ignorance" (ἀγνωσία) occurs, besides this passage, only in 1 Corinthians 15:34, where it evidently means "culpable, self-caused ignorance." The word for "foolish" (ἄφρων) is a strong one - it means "senseless" (comp. 1 Corinthians 15:36). Here it has the article, "the foolish men," i.e. those "who speak against you as evil-doers." Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

For
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

it is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

will
θέλημα (thelēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

that
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

by doing good
ἀγαθοποιοῦντας (agathopoiountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 15: To do that which is good. From agathopoios; to be a well-doer.

you should silence
φιμοῦν (phimoun)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5392: To muzzle, silence. From phimos; to muzzle.

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.

ignorance
ἀγνωσίαν (agnōsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 56: Ignorance; specifically: willful ignorance. Ignorance.

of foolish
ἀφρόνων (aphronōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 878: Senseless, foolish, inconsiderate. Properly, mindless, i.e. Stupid, ignorant, egotistic, rash, or unbelieving.

men.
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

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