First Epistle of Peter
EXHORTATIONS TO HOUSEHOLD SLAVES
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:18 (KJV)
The apostle here starts giving exhortations to servants. In chapter 3 verse 1 to 6, he exhorts wives, in verse 7, husbands, and then in verse 8, he again is speaking to all. The exhortations to servants begin here with verse 18, and runs to the end of the chapter.
"Servants"
This word is the one used for "household servants". This, at first glance, we might not think had referenced to slaves, but most all household servants at that time were slaves. Then a very strong word is used for masters. It is the word from which we get our English word "despot". One we call a despot is an absolute and cruel ruler.
It is known that in the early church there were a great many slaves in fellowship. In such circumstances, it is not strange that the apostle gives quite a bit of space in his letter to give them special instructions. Peter writes a great deal of suffering, and perhaps he has these slaves in mind more than any other. Any Christian might, at that time, be subject to bitter persecution, but these slaves especially so.
"be subject to your masters"
To be subject to one's master, as the slave is exhorted to be here, is quite similar to what is expected of all in connection with the ordinances of man in verse 13. It is very difficult to be subject, to submit. While we do not have slavery now, we do have similar conditions under which we might have to submit. For instance, sometimes an employer can become unreasonable. The best thing to do is just submit, not to be surly or rebellious.
As we already noted, this word "masters" is from a Greek word meaning "despots". And no doubt some of them were just that; hard, mean, unreasonable, without mercy. Perhaps some of these slaves would lead exemplary lives, and this would convict these masters of their own sinfulness. Under such circumstances they, in some cases, would even be more mean and hard on their slaves than otherwise. The reason they hated the Lord when He was here was because His spotless life caused them to realize their own wickedness. How man hates to be shown his own faults. Yet these unsaved masters would hate to sell these Christian slaves because they served them so well.
"with all fear"
Perhaps this speaks of fear in the same sense that we are to fear the Lord. Not that they were to be afraid of them, but to reverence them just because they were their masters, and were in a superior place over them. Then there could be this thought; they were to fear that if they did not submit to their masters, it would leave a wrong impression of what the Lord had done for them. By submission, and patient obedience, they demonstrated just what Christ had gone through for them, and they were to fear leaving any other kind of impression. No doubt this good living was the means of bringing some masters to Christ.
"not only to the good and gently"
This word "gentle" could be translated "reasonable". No doubt, there were some such. It would be easy for slaves to be subject to them. I know it is easy to work for a boss who is not hard on you and does not expect too much, and uses a little kindness. I know a top sergeant in the army who is hard as nails and has a tongue that would cut you in two. He tells me his boys resent it much and if the least opportunity would avail them, they would not cooperate. Some have even expressed that he would not live long on the field of battle. I have another friend who is a Lieutenant who is just the opposite. He is good and reasonable, and just a few words from him and his boys will do anything.
"but also to the froward"
This word "froward" means "perverse". It would speak of a master who was unreasonable, unfair, surly or mean. They were to submit even to this kind, and no doubt there were many of them. This would be very difficult to do, but it was the only way to rightly represent Christ. This would teach us today to manifest grace and patience toward our enemies. Some Christians are, to use a worldly expression, so thin-skinned, you cannot say anything to them or do a thing to them, but they are all up in the air. We must learn to take things that are unpleasant.
One might say here, "slavery is so wrong, why did not the apostles put their foot down and condemn it, instead of telling the Christians to submit so meekly?" Without question, slavery is wrong, absolutely opposed to the spirit of Christianity. To have one man possess another, and in a tyrannical way, to compel one to serve him against his will, is certainly not right. Yet, we never read of the apostles saying a word that could in any way be construed to justify a slave resisting his master or trying to get away from him.
In the little book, Philemon, we read of Onesimus, who was a slave to Philemon. Onesimus had apparently robbed his master and fled to Rome. Whether conscience-smitten, or just lonesome,
Onesimus visits Paul in jail, and in due course, is truly converted. With this epistle, Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, pleading for him. According to Roman law, Philemon could have Onesimus crucified. We are not told, but feel very confident that Onesimus was freely forgiven, liberated as a slave, and received by Philemon as a "brother beloved". So in Onesimus' case, it is possibly slavery was ended.
As we noted in connection with verse 9 of this chapter, slavery seemed to melt away before Christianity. No doubt many masters, as they became Christians, liberated their slaves.
The New Testament never anywhere tells a Christian to fight for his rights. No matter how evil one may be treated, he is not to fight back. He might be justified in resisting for the good of others, but never for himself. The Lord Jesus did use a scourge of whips on those who were defiling His Father's house, but they could abuse Himself in any way, and He never lifted His voice in protest. So the word to slaves is "be subject", never to "resist". In most cases, the same word would come to us. No matter how badly we are treated, submit and do nothing about it.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:19 (KJV)
This verse, of course, first of all was written to the abused slaves, but Peter applies it to any Christian who suffers wrongfully. He does not say, "if a servant for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully"; but "if a man".
"For this is thankworthy"
The word "thankworthy" in the original is the same as translated "grace" when speaking of the grace of God. God's grace is favor to man far beyond what he is entitles to, and far beyond what he has a right to expect. Man deserves judgment for his sins, but God, in great mercy, forgives the ones who trust His Son, and takes them into His family as children. And so here we have a slave abused, despised, overworked, ill-treated in every way. It naturally would be expected of such to be surly, antagonistic, resentful, but here he is patient, obedient, kind through it all. Acting so far above what the master deserves and what naturally one would expect. And truly, such action demonstrates the grace of God and deserves commendation. Such may receive no thanks from their masters, but certainly the Lord will note it and reward for it. This will be true of us, too, who act similarly, when we are in any way abused by our fellow man.
"for conscience toward God endure grief"
If a Christian has a conscience toward God, he will receive grief, and if he has a conscience toward God, he will endure that grief patiently. These early slaves suffered because of their Godly life and testimony. No doubt, many masters followed heathen practices. They would be especially resentful if their slaves, not only refused to go with them in it, but condemned them for it. (In this, the Lord would not expect them to submit.) So it would be their conscience toward God that would bring this grief upon them. So with us today, if we live Godly in Christ Jesus, we will suffer persecution.
Then, because of their conscience toward God, these slaves were to endure this grief patiently. And so, we should too. Let us remember that our actions are particularly noticed by the world. If someone does treat us wrongfully, are we going to retaliate and act spitefully and say things unbecoming a Christian? Let us think what effect it will have on our testimony. What effect will it have on the assembly? Will folks think less of our God and our Savior because of it? Let us have a good conscience toward God.
David had a wonderful spirit. He was treated wrongfully by Saul. David was forced to flee and hide in the fields and in the caves because Saul often sought to kill him. David had many opportunities to retaliate and even kill Saul, but because of conscience toward God, he just took it and did nothing.
Joseph, too, was wrongfully treated, both by his brethren and in Potiphar's house. The day came when he could have wreaked vengeance on his brethren, but we find him wholeheartedly forgiving them.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:20 (KJV)
This verse is a continuation of the subject of verses 18 and 19; namely, the suffering of Christian household slaves. Here we have a contrast between those that suffer for their own sins and those that suffer for Christ's sake. If one suffers for his own faults, there is nothing to be praised or commended, but if for Christ's sake one suffers and takes it patiently, this is commendable and acceptable to God.
"for what glory is it, if, when ye are buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently"
"Glory" here could be translated "fame" or "praise". "Buffeted" means to be punched with the fist, thus badly beaten. This was often the case with these slaves; they would be severely pummeled. Many were beaten because of their bad behavior. This was perhaps not so often the case with the Christian slaves, but it could be sometimes. If a slave would cheat, or lie, or steal, or perhaps become surly and refuse to work or insolent, the master might take him and give him a bad beating with his fists. Now the apostle says that if you have been beaten for any of these faults and you take it patiently you have nothing to boast about. It is your own fault. You should behave. Neither is this kind of suffering going to commend itself to God, nor your patience under it.
Sometimes Christians do things they should not do. Then if the worlding abuses such, no one should be blamed for it, but themselves. Sin has a way of bringing its own punishment sometimes. Many are suffering because of their own folly or carelessness. Such should bear their suffering patiently, but it is not as commendable as when they are suffering for well
doing and still take it patiently.
Many think that all suffering comes from sin. All suffering does come from sin in this sense, that if sin had not come into the world, there would be no suffering. It, however, does not follow that a great sufferer is a great sinner, or a light sufferer, a light sinner. I have seen very godly saints suffer much, and also seen some wicked sinners go well-nigh without any.
The Jews of Christ's time thought if one suffered much that it was because he was a great sinner. Pilate had mingled the blood of some Galileans with sacrifices. Christ says, "Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay" (Luke 13:1-3). Then He goes on to say that those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell, were no worse sinners then any others in Jerusalem.
Job's three friends came to comfort Job. In many ways, they demonstrated great wisdom, but they made one serious mistake. They supposed that Job was suffering so because of some serious sins which he had, unknown to them, committed.
The Lord Jesus certainly did not suffer for any sins He committed. We read in Matthew 26:67, "They spit in his face, and buffeted him." They punched Him with their fists just like a master would punch his guilty slave. This certainly was undeserved.
Someone wrote a piece on "Seven Reasons for Suffering." There may be more than seven reasons. However, all reasons could be bracketed down to the two found in our verse. We either suffer deservedly for our faults, or undeservedly. If we suffer undeservedly, especially for well doing, and take it patiently, this is acceptable to God.
"if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God"
Naturally, this is very difficult for a human being. The tendency is to resent undeserved abuse very deeply; to say, "That is not justice, I will fight for my rights". And most in the world would agree and say, "We do not blame you a bit". They might even say, "It is childish, feminine, and foolish not to fight back with all your power". But this is not the Christian way. Our verse says if you "take it patiently, this is acceptable with God". The Lord Jesus says, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matt. 5:11, 12).
A young Christian was driving along the road. He spied a man with whom he sought to convert. He stopped and asked, "How about it, do you believe in Jesus Christ yet?" This angered the man and he said, "I could slap your face for that". The young man stepped out of his car and said, "If that is what you want, just go ahead", whereupon he got a resounding crack on the side of his face. "Thank you" he said, "I will take that for the sake of my Lord Jesus Christ", and he got into his car and drove away.
Later that night there was a knock on the young man’s door. It was his assailant. The young man hesitated and did not open the door. The man went to the back door and knocked again, at which time the young man let him in. By this time the man was deeply convicted of his sin, and not only apologized, but right then and there confessed his sins to the Lord and was baptized in a bathtub.
No doubt, this is how it often worked in those days with the slaves. The masters beat them for their testimony, or for some senseless reason. The slaves took it without a word of complaint and perhaps with a thank you for the privilege of so suffering for Christ's sake. This would bring the master down in conviction before Christ, and he would be saved. No doubt, this uncomplaining suffering had a great bearing on the rapid growth of Christianity in those early days. This was a new thing in the world, and it swept many off their feet and into the arms of Christ.
