When does disagreement with the emperor turn from honorable to unhonorable?
November 2nd, 2009 by DannyNelsonHonor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17
Is it a matter of the heart? Is it a matter of the words we speak in public or private?
In the United States, does it apply to the President? The Congress? The Supreme Court? The Constitution?
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Seems to me that the context isn’t making this a command to honor the emperor, but to honor others as we honor the emperor.
To answer your questions, I think it applies to anyone in authority. But “honoring” has limitations. When someone (a person that is part of the ‘everyone’ statement) speaks untruth, it is not dishonoring to respond with the truth.
Let’s say you’re seated at a banquet table with people of great importance. All arise and the doors at the end of the room open, and in walks Jesus, taking His rightful seat at the head of the table.
We should behave honorably, but what would you do if someone near you spoke ill of Jesus. Perhaps he calls Jesus a fake, a sham, a sinner. We should honor those around us by correcting the error, but we need not do it in an ill manner.