OET interlinear 1 PET 2:17

2:17a–d

Commentators do not agree about how the four commands in this verse relate to each other:

1. There are four separate commands. The same punctuation should therefore separate the commands. For example:

   Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (RSV) (KJV, NJB, NASB, GNT, GW, NET, NLT, CEV, RSV)

2. The first command is a summary of the other three. This is shown by a colon at the end of 2:17a. For example:

   Give due honor to everyone: love your fellow-Christians, reverence God, honor the emperor. (REB) (BSB, NIV, NCV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

2:17a

Treat everyone with high regard: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Treat…with high regard is literally “honor.” Believers are to honor all people. Some other ways this clause has been translated are:

Give due honor to everyone (REB)

Honor all people (NET)

2:17b

Love the brotherhood of believers: The word Love refers to a strong feeling of affection and concern for a person. Use a natural expression or idiom for this word.

the brotherhood of believers: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the brotherhood of believers is literally “the brotherhood.” The BSB has supplied the words of believers to make it explicit that Peter was not talking about a human family. He was referring to the members of the church, all Christians. They were a brotherhood in the sense that God was their heavenly father. It is also possible to translate this as:

your brothers and sisters in Christ

your brothers and sisters in the faith (GW)

2:17c

fear God: The phrase fear God means to hold God in awe or to respect God. See how you translated the same word occurring as a noun in 1:17c.

2:17d

honor the king: See how you translated the phrase “high regard,” which is literally “honor,” in 2:17a.

the king: The Greek word that the BSB translates as king here refers to the Roman emperor, as in 2:13b.