Peter’s use of the word “creation” in 1 Peter 2:13 (in the phrase translated as “every human institution”) makes clear that Peter wants his readers to know that everyone in the chain of command is finite, fallible, and at heart corrupt. (Thus, Peter can elsewhere say there are limits to obedience; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29). Yet the starting point is the blanket instruction that begins this paragraph: “be subject.” Peter will work out this concept in more detail in his next paragraph concerning “slaves,” in 1 Peter 2:18–25.
14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.