Introduction
We continue to step through our minefield of authority. Peter has moved from his encouragement section of his epistle to practical instruction and exhortation. His topic is how Christians are to live in the world, and he approaches the subject in terms of how they are to regard the authority systems of society. Verses 13-17 addressed civil authority, including also general relations with neighbors. Peter instructed his readers to be good citizens by submitting to the governing officials and by showing proper respect to everyone.
The point that Peter was trying to impress upon his people was this: Always take time to consider how your behavior is honoring or dishonoring God before the world. That’s what matters. You are not your own persons. You are servants of God. That leads us into our next passage, verses 18-25, in which Peter directly addresses servants.
Bear Up Under Unjust Punishment 18-20
If we thought Peter was being overly strict in his admonition to submit to every authority, consider his comments to slaves. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. These are tough words. Put yourself in the place of these slaves.
For example, consider yourself in a bad work situation. Your supervisor is treating you terribly, and you are not in a position to confront him because you may lose your job, which would be disastrous for you. You come to me to share your burden and seek counsel. Then I question you: “Do you deserve your treatment? Are you sure? Then what’s the problem? It is good for you to bear up under the pain of unjust treatment.” That would be a good approach for me to take if I wanted to deter anyone from coming to me for counsel. Well, again, let’s try to put aside the red flags that pop up with such a statement and try to understand Peter’s concern.
First of all, who are these slaves? The common Greek word for slave is doulos. The word here is oiketais, a word used for household or domestic servant. Peter is discussing authority in terms of the household. He will next move to marital relations.
A domestic servant may or may not be a slave, although it seems likely in this context that Peter is addressing slaves. Even so, such slaves, though regarded as second class citizens, were not viewed as some lesser form of humanity. Many were individuals who sold themselves into slavery with the intent to later buy out their servitude. Many were educated and had professional status as high as, or higher than, their free counterparts. There were slave doctors and teachers; many ran the household and business affairs of their masters.
Having acknowledged that many slaves had good circumstances, the point is they were still slaves under the control of their masters, and their fortune in life depended upon the whim of the masters. Joseph’s situation is a good example. Sold into slavery by his brothers, he became the slave of an Egyptian official. His master gave him complete control over his estate. Then, because of a false accusation by an adulteress wife, he was thrown in prison without a fair hearing.
That was the uncertain status of the domestic servants. At the whim of their masters they were subject to harsh punishment including beatings. They had no protection from the law, nor could they leave. Peter is addressing such persons who have received the gospel and, in his words, are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (2:9). How should they respond to harsh pagan masters?
Peter tells them they should submit to their masters, and, yes, even to those who treat them harshly. The contrast made between masters helps us to understand what is meant by submit. The issue is not about submitting to masters who order their servants to carry out unethical and immoral practices; rather, it is about enduring unjust treatment. Indeed, the case may well be that Christian servants are being harshly treated precisely because they will not act unethically or immorally.
(That, by the way, may help us understand the admonition to submit to every authority. The issue there is not submitting to laws that cause us to act against our faith, but submitting to laws that are burdensome to us.)
Peter further adds that the servants are to submit to their masters with all respect. A possible interpretation, which is supported by the NIV’s translation, is that servants are not only to obey but do so with a respectful manner towards their masters. That’s possible, but the term for respect is the same term used in the previous sentence for fear God. It is probable that Peter means for servants to submit to their masters out of fear of God, especially considering his next comment in verse 19 about being conscious of God.
Here’s the point. God is the factor that determines our behavior. On what basis are we to submit to civil authority? For the Lord’s sake (13). Why should we do good when we are slandered? For it is God’s will (15). How should we use our freedom? As servants of God. We do not live in response to the world; we live in response to God.
Servants, likewise, live not in accordance to the merit of their masters, but as servants of God seeking God’s approval. Thus, Peter writes in verse 19: For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. (By the way, Peter no longer uses the terms servant and master, probably intentionally so as to allow broader application.) What is commendable? To be able to endure whatever suffering may come, because a person kept his focus on God. And what does that mean? To look to God for strength to endure; for hope that suffering will end and glory will come; for comfort that even now God is pleased with him. For it is commendable means that God praises such an act of faith.
Peter further clarifies God’s commendation. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. It is not patient suffering of itself that is being praised. If you are punished for wrongdoing, it is only right that you should expect and accept your punishment. Even the pagans understand that. What distinguishes you in God’s sight is to patiently suffer through unjust punishment.
Undoubtedly the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount come to Peter’s mind. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles...
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:38-48).
The Example of Christ 21-25
Let’s go on. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. Again, though Peter began by addressing slaves in particular, it seems evident that “you” applies to Christians in general. You were called is a phrase for salvation. Recall verse 9: him who called you out of darkness. Peter’s point is not that Christians are saved so that they might suffer; rather, the new lives they now take on in Christ will inevitably lead to unjust suffering. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12: everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Now, up to this time Peter has encouraged the servants and fellow Christians to bear up under mistreatment by reminding them that they are being commended by God. “Take heart, your God, your true Master, is pleased with you.” He now heartens them by pointing to Christ as their model.
It is important to note that his intention is to encourage and not shame his readers. One could read verse 21 and take Peter to mean something like this: “Christ suffered for you; the least you can do is suffer for him. He had to go through it; now we have got to go through it; quit complaining.” But what he is trying to get across is that the life of godly suffering, far from being a life of shame and emptiness, is one of honor. It is the life our Lord gladly chose. Follow our Lord’s example.
First, Jesus also suffered unjustly. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in
his mouth.” He knows what you are going through – the pain not only of suffering but of being unfairly mistreated.
Secondly, he suffered patiently. 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. And he was able to be submissive to his persecutors precisely because he was conscious of God. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He could submit himself to the hands of unjust rulers because he had already submitted to the will of his Father whom he trusted to be just in his final dealings with the righteous and unrighteous.
Thirdly, he suffered for a purpose. That purpose was our redemption. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. Christ’s suffering was not part of an endurance contest. His suffering came because of the mission he was on. His focus was on the mission of obtaining our salvation. And it is the same for us. Remember, Peter’s concern is the testimony that Christians give to the world. Our focus also should be the redemption of our neighbors, including our governors and masters. What is really at stake is not our temporary comfort, but their eternal condition.
Peter then gives them a gentle reminder that they too were once in the same condition as their neighbors and masters. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. They strayed from God, and their souls were lost. But now they are safely and lovingly under the care of their true Shepherd and Overseer.
Let’s summarize. How are Christian servants to live under nonChristian masters, and particularly under harsh masters? They are also to submit under what was recognized as a legitimate authority structure. For the same reason all Christians should submit to civil authority, so should they – for the Lord’s sake, being conscious of him. They should take heart in the midst of unjust treatment knowing that, one, God is pleased with them, and, two, their own Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered as well for them, leaving them a good and honorable example.
Application
What then about us? None of us are slaves, but most of us are under some form of authority in our daily lives. Students are under the authority of teachers and administrators. Employees are under the authority of bosses and supervisors. We are all under the authority of government from the federal down to local systems. To varying degrees and regularity we are mistreated or at least inconvenienced. How do we respond? Here are principles we can take from this text.
One, don’t be surprised by suffering and mistreatment. Many times I have had Christians express to me shock that they are suffering. Why would their boss be unfair to them when they have been good workers? How could the teacher accuse them of cheating on their work? Or, how could God let me lose my job, let me get cancer, etc.? What did I do wrong that God would punish me?
I am not so harsh as to actually say this, but the question I should ask is, “Who are you to think that you could or should avoid suffering?” All of the biblical writers are frank about the subject: the followers of God will suffer. It is a fact of the Christian life. If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it (Mark 8:34,35).
As Peter stated it, to this you were called. One lesson I have learned clearly is that I do not know what tomorrow holds. I may lose everything. I have no guarantees, and, indeed, if I should expect anything in this life, I should expect some measure of suffering.
Principle two. Look not so much for answers in suffering but for comfort and hope. Why should good parents lose a child to a drunken driver? I don’t know. Why should the honest employee be fired out of false accusation? I don’t know. What we do or should know is that we have a God who sees our suffering, and doesn’t merely pity us; he receives our patient suffering as an offering and gives us honor. Take comfort that your suffering is never in vain.
We also know that suffering will end. We are not caught in a cycle that will eternally go on. Our just Judge will return and will put all things in order. The true wicked will be punished; the true righteous will be rewarded. A lifetime may seem a long time to suffer, but it nothing more than a wink compared to the eternity of glory and joy that awaits us.
Principle three. It is essential to keep focused on the real issue of life – our condition in eternity. Jesus went on to say in Mark 8:36: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? The issue for you is not only your soul but the souls of your neighbors. What really matters is what happens to that mean boss or teacher in eternity, and you should respond to him with the welfare of his soul in mind. You cannot control anyone’s destiny, but you are responsible to bear a witness before the world that glorifies God.
Principle four. Use mistreatment as a time to examine your heart. Yes, it is possible to suffer because in truth we were doing wrong. Christians can be lazy workers. Christian can be poor students, and, yes, even cheat on tests. We need to pray the prayer of the psalmist:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23,24)
Finally, look always to Jesus. Find your motivation in him. That’s what happened to Peter. You remember his story. At the last supper with his disciples, Jesus foretold that they would desert him. Peter boldly (and probably angrily) vowed that he would never leave Jesus even if it meant death. All it took were the questions of a servant girl to frighten him and lead him not only to desert, but also to deny his Lord.
After the resurrection and the day of Pentecost, he received boldness to testify for his Lord before all hostile authorities. Finally, it got him and the apostles in trouble. They were arrested by the Jewish authorities. Peter and the other apostles then made them so angry with their bold testimony, that only the persuasive words of the respected Pharisee Gamaliel prevented their death sentence. Luke reports what happened this way: They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:40,41).
Do you understand why they rejoiced? Because they loved Jesus. They loved the one who had loved them by his own suffering. As the apostle John would later write: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9,10).
This is love. And when you have grasped this love; I mean really have understood it, not as some doctrine, but as God’s personal love for you, then you will say gladly with the apostle Paul, who summed up his life of suffering this way:
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (1 Timothy 1:14-16).
May we know such love as did the apostles, that our own sufferings may produce in us such joy and bear such fruit that will draw others into the salvation of our Lord.
