Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
Verse 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. Gr., "to every creation of man," (ανθρωπινηκτισει.) The meaning is, to every institution or appointment of man; to wit, of those who are in authority, or who are appointed to administer government. The laws, institutes, and appointments of such a government may be spoken of as the creation of man; that is, as what man makes.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; (15) That which he spoke generally, he now expounds in detail, describing individually every man's duty. First, he speaks of the obedience that is due both to the laws, and also to the magistrates both higher and lower.
every ordinance of man--"every human institution" [ALFORD], literally, "every human creation." For though of divine appointment, yet in the mode of nomination and in the exercise of their authority, earthly governors are but human institutions, being of men, and in relation to men. The apostle speaks as one raised above all human things.