For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
It is not, however, an assertion without its difficulty, when he says, that there is nothing praiseworthy in him who is justly punished; for, when the Lord punishes our sins, patience is certainly a sacrifice of sweet odour to him, that is, when we bear with a submissive mind our punishment.
Christians were slandered as seditionists, so the apostle settles Christian duty to magistrates clearly: submit to every human institution, whether king or provincial governor, because God ordained magistracy for the good of mankind. Obey not from fear of the rod but from conscience toward the Lord who requires it and whose honor depends on our subjection.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Peter 2:13-25
For even hereunto were ye called,.... Both to well doing, of which none but those who are called with an holy and effectual calling are capable; and which they are fitted for, and are under obligation to perform, and to suffer for so doing, which they must always expect, and to patience in suffering for it, which highly becomes them.