1 Peter 2:14 (KJV)

Passage

Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Nearby Context

1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

1 Peter 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "governors", "sent", "punishment", "evildoers", "praise", and "well". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "governors" and "sent", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man..." into verse 15's "For so is the will of God...", so "governors" and "sent" belong inside that flow. In 1 Peter context, the local focus is hope in suffering, holy conduct, submission, and grace.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "governors" and "sent" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.