Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin
John Calvin the first clause; for he speaks of that particular love which we are bidden to have towards the household of faith, because we are connected with them by a closer relationship. And so Peter did not omit this connection; but yet he reminds us, that though brethren are to be specially regarded, yet this ought not to prevent our love from being extended to the whole human race. The word fraternity, or brotherhood, I take collectively for brethren.
Fear God I have already said that all these clauses are applied by Peter to the subject he was treating. For he means, that honor paid to kings proceeds from the fear of God and the love of man; and that, therefore, it ought to be connected with them, as though he had said, ``Whosoever fears God, loves his brethren and the whole human race as he ought, and will also give honor to kings.'' But, at the same time, he expressly mentions the king, because that form of government was more than any other disliked; and under it other forms are included.
1 Peter 2:18-20
1 Peter 2:18-20 18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
18. Famuli, subjecti sint cum omni timore dominis suis, non solum bonis et humanis, sed etiam pravis.
19. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience towards God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
19. Haec enim est gratia, si propter conscientiam Dei quispiam molestias ferat patiens injustè.
20. 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.
20. Qualis enim gloria, si quum peccantes alapis caedemini, suffertis? sed si bene facientes et in aliis affecti suffertis, haec gratia apud Deum.
18 Servants, be subject Though this is a particular admonition, yet it is connected with what is gone before, as well as the other things which follow; for the obedience of servants to masters, and of wives also to their husbands, forms a part of civil or social subjection. 370
He first would have servants to be subject with all fear; by which expression he means that sincere and willing reverence, which they acknowledge by their office to be due. He then sets this fear in opposition to dissimulation as well as to forced subjection; for an eye-service ({ὀφθαλμοδουλεία}, Colossians 3:22,) as Paul calls it, is the opposite of this fear; and further, if servants clamor against severe treatment, being ready to throw off the yoke if they could, they cannot be said properly to fear. In short, fear arises from a right knowledge of 370The word for "servants," {οἰκέται} properly means ``domestics,'' or household servants. They are mentioned as they came more in contact with their masters, and were more liable to be ill-treated. --- Ed.