“For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
King James Version (KJV)
2:2 For all that are in authority - Seeing even the lowest country magistrates frequently do much good or much harm. God supports the power of magistracy for the sake of his own people, when, in the present state of men, it could not otherwise be kept up in any nation whatever. Godliness - Inward religion; the true worship of God. Honesty - A comprehensive word taking in the whole duty we owe to our neighbour.
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority. For all rulers over us. This duty is not dependent on the righteousness of the rulers. The Roman emperors were intensely wicked. Jews were enjoined to pray for their heathen rules (Jer 29:7 Ezr 6:10). That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. The special object of these prayers is that the earthly rulers may be so overruled that Christians shall live and worship in peace. Wars, seditions and persecutions would be injurious to the saints.