By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

In this series so far we have learned that Peter wrote this letter to followers of Christ who were scattered in the area of Asia Minor, what is now modern-day Turkey. His main emphasis in this letter was to remind Christians of the hope they have in God because of the gracious salvation provided for them in Jesus Christ as well as how the gift of the Holy Spirit within them works to lead them in sanctification. We continue now to learn even more about this wonderful salvation that God blesses His children with and how we are to live as Christ and love one another. Part of loving one another in Christ is learning how to submit to each other in the Lord. Peter in the next few verses covers several more examples where submission is necessary and displays before others, a Christ-like character and behavior. Followers of Christ who were slaves in the early years of the church faced many trials and struggles. Peter continues to share how they are to be submissive in such situations and why a follower of Christ should express this character and witness in their life.

 

1 Peter 2:18-20

“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. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 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.”

 

Here Peter uses the Greek word “oiketes” for servant to refer to those individuals who were household slaves who were responsible to do menial tasks around the homes and in the businesses of their masters. The fact that Peter singles this group of people out from others indicates that they were a significant percentage of the population of Asia. As we read this verse we might make application of this instruction to us today who are employees. While we are not slaves, although sometimes we might have that perception, we do work for employers who have authority over us. Again, while employers should not perceive or portray themselves as our masters, they do have authority to raise and lower our wages, set our hours of work and delegate the type of work we do. If we read this verse with this perspective, we see that the application to us today is that we should submit to our employers with an act of submission while doing our job as instructed. We should do this out of respect for them because God calls us to do so. We should do this whether or not we have good, considerate and reasonable employers or whether they are bad, inconsiderate and unreasonable in their requests of us. But this does not mean we do not confront unfairness in a reasonable fashion.

 

Paul addresses the same issue in Ephesians 6:5-9;

 

“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

 

Peter and Paul are both seeking to instruct others in how, as followers of Christ, they were to work in a godly fashion for their masters. Peter’s point is that if a Christian slave suffers under a harsh master and continues to work as unto God with a good work ethic, it is commendable in the eyes of God. The implication for us today would be that we should have a Christian work ethic whereby we work hard, consistently, honestly and responsibly even if our employer is a harsh taskmaster because in essence, we are working in this situation for God and our hard work is a reflection on our Christian witness before our employer. This is commendable before God because we work essentially as Christ would work in such a situation. Peter knows that slaves will be beaten and abused at times and makes the point that there is no godly commendation for those who are punished because they failed to work hard or do their job. But there is commendation from God when you work responsibly and without complaining, even if you are beaten, because you are seeking to be a godly example before cruel taskmasters. Patient endurance of unjust punishment on the part of these Christian slaves is, in the sight of God, an action that is beyond the ordinary course of what might be expected, and is therefore commendable. It also sets before the master of the slave a godly example of what a follower of Christ is at heart. Christ suffered horribly at the hands of cruel Roman soldiers and legalistic Jewish religious leaders, yet He endured all such physical and emotional torture out of love for us. He is our example for such difficult situations.

 

We today must remember when we suffer or endure mistreatment from employers today that we have a Christian example to set before them. We are called to live honorably and be submissive in tough situations. This does not mean we are to allow ourselves to be a doormat, for there are often ways that our grievances can be heard and conflicts resolved, but such options should always be pursued and carried out with wisdom and with reasonable behaviors and attitudes.

 

Charles Swindoll gives three possible choices we have in stressful situations of conflict with employers or supervisors. First, we can choose to be aggressive and not only get even, but seek revenge. Secondly, we can be passive and have our own pity party and become reclusive and self-absorbed. Thirdly, which is a more godly option, is to stay in a holy holding pattern waiting for the right moment to confront and resolve the issue in a fair and communicative manner, always seeking to be submissive to the Lord in the situation.

 

Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:20-21 states, “Let each man remain in that condition in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.” What Paul is saying is that you can be a slave as a Christian with a godly witness before men, but if you can obtain freedom properly do that as well. The point is to live for Christ in whatever station of life you live. Ultimately the answer can be summed up by 1 Peter 2:13, “Submit for the Lord’s sake!” When we show submission in difficult situations we honor God as the one who is ultimately in control over those involved as well as the situation. Submission is also a dominate theme in creation.

 

We bow in submission to God in our worship.

 

Psalms 95:6-7 – “Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God,”

 

We submit to our church elders and leaders for they are shepherds God has placed over us.

 

Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

 

Angels as well as all earthly and heavenly powers submit to Jesus.

 

1 Peter 3:22 – “with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him (Jesus).”

 

Next Peter gives the prime example for our submission to others as followers of Christ. It is Jesus Christ Himself.
 

1 Peter 2:21

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

 

Christ’s example in His suffering applies not just to spiritual matters but all matters of life. Peter is telling us that Christ’s character of submission at the cross is an excellent example to follow in all issues we face in life. When we suffer unjustly at the hands of a cruel person or an unfair and overbearing boss, we participate in Christ’s own ministry of unjust suffering on behalf of others. Christ suffered on our behalf. We suffer on behalf of unbelievers who need to see the gospel lived out in everyday lives. When unbelievers see our godly submissive attitude when we are mistreated, often it will convict them not only of their behavior, but it may also attract them to why we behave in such a manner, opening an opportunity for sharing about the hope of the gospel. By following the example of Christ, we can secure an unshakable hope in hurtful and painful times. Peter in the next few verses lists the qualifications of Jesus’ example.
 

1 Peter 2:22-23

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

 

Jesus was perfectly without sin. He was never ever deceitful. He never told a lie. When abused and beaten for no valid reason, He never responded in thought or action seeking revenge. Even though He had the power to defend Himself and do harm to those persecuting Him, He did not. He instead chose to entrust His situation and circumstance to His Father, who always judges rightly and with wisdom. Jesus Christ tells us to turn the other cheek. We must never let the world’s sense of right and wrong dictate our own. Jesus did confront His abusers at times. In John 18:22-23 we see how when struck on the face He does not turn the other cheek but confronts the official who struck Him. Peter next shares the result of Christ’s submission to God’s plan for our salvation from sins.
 

1 Peter 2:24-25

“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. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

 

Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be arrested unjustly, verbally abused and mistreated and to be crucified in a most horrible manner so that the penalty for our sins could be paid for and make it possible for us to obtain eternal life. This selfless submissive act by Jesus not only saves us from our sins and lets us experience the merciful grace of God, it also enables us to die to sins and live righteously by the power of the Spirit.

 

Peter here mentions that we are healed by the wounds of Jesus. Some mistakenly use this verse to say that Christ’s death on the cross grants us physical healing, but the context demonstrates that Peter is talking about spiritual healing from sins not physical disease or infirmities. Verse 25 clarifies this point by stating our spiritual condition before the cross, “like sheep going astray,” and after the cross when we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, “but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

 

Isaiah 53 is also misinterpreted for the same reason at times. The Hebrew word for heal in Isaiah 53:5 (rapha) and the Greek word for heal in 1 Peter 2 (iaomai) mean to cure, heal or make whole. While these words can be applied to physical or spiritual healing, the context of Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter 2 both focus on spiritual healing through the forgiveness of sins, not the physical healing of diseases. We must understand that while God is greatly concerned about our physical ailments which are earthly and temporary, He is much more concerned about our spiritual disease of sin and its eternal consequences. Again the focus of Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24-25 are on Jesus being lethally wounded for payment for our sins so that we might have eternal life and be “spiritually” healed.