(a) Explain Peter's concept of a good citizen. (b) Identify any three qualities of a good citizen

Answer Details

(a) Peter's concept of a good citizen (1 Peter 2:11-17)

Writing to Christians scattered as strangers and pilgrims in a hostile world, Peter taught that a good citizen is one who lives an honourable life and submits to lawful authority for the Lord's sake. His concept may be explained as follows:

• Honourable conduct before the world: Believers should abstain from the passions of the flesh that war against the soul and maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that even those who speak against them as wrongdoers may, by observing their good deeds, glorify God.
• Submission to civil authority: A good citizen submits, for the Lord's sake, to every human institution, whether to the emperor as supreme or to governors sent by him to punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right.
• Obedience as the will of God: Peter taught that it is God's will that by doing good, believers should silence the ignorance of foolish men. Good conduct is thus an act of obedience to God, not mere fear of the authorities.
• Right use of freedom: Christians are free, but they must not use their freedom as a cover-up for evil; rather they should live as servants of God.
• A fourfold duty: Peter summed it up in the charge, "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor."

Thus, for Peter, the good citizen combines loyalty to God with loyalty to lawful earthly authority, letting a righteous life be the answer to slander.

(b) Three qualities of a good citizen

• Obedience and submission to lawful authority and the laws of the land.
• Honesty and honourable conduct that gives no genuine ground for accusation.
• Respect for all people and love for fellow believers.

(Other acceptable qualities: reverence and fear of God; proper use of freedom without abusing it; peaceableness and doing good.)