1 Peter 2:18-25

2. Toward Masters 2:18-25

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Expanded Translation

You domestic servants (or household slaves), be subjecting yourselves to your master-owners, with all respect and deference; not only to the good (kind), and gentle (fair), but also to the perverse and ill-natured.

_______________________

Servants, be in subjection to your masters

SERVANTSoiketes, is equivalent to the Latin word domesticus, hence our word domestic, i.e., one who lives in the same house with another, spoken of all who are under the authority of one and the same householder, especially a servant. The word is more restricted in meaning than the normal word rendered servant (doulos), and designates one holding closer relations to the family than other slaves.

MASTERdespotes, meaning a lord, master, especially of slaves.. denotes absolute ownership and uncontrolled power (Thayer). See discussion under lord in 1 Peter 3:6.

BE IN SUBJECTIONThe phrase is here in the middle voice, indicating action with regard to one's self. Thus Young's literal translation: be subjecting yourselves.

with all fear;

Phobos, as we have seen in the verb of the previous verse, though customarily meaning fear, terror, or fright, is here used in the sense of respect or deference, The latter word Webster defines: a yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the wishes or opinions of another; courteous or complaisant regard for another's wishes.

Two types of masters are now described, We are to be in subjection to either type.

not only to the good and gentle,

GOODagathos. Benevolent, kind, generous, etc.

GENTLEepieikes, equitable, fair mild. It expresses that considerateness that looks humanly and reasonably at the facts of a case. We all appreciate such men, and it is usually not difficult to submit to their oversight.

but also to the froward,

Skolios (whence the name of our disease, scoliosis), meaning crooked, curved; metaphorically, perverse, wicked, unfair, surly, It is when we must subject ourselves to this type of man that our real Christian character (or lack of it) is revealed. How blessed we are in the present age to have rulers who, as a rule, do not openly oppose and antagonize us as we pursue the Christ-like life.

1 Peter 2:19-20 For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Expanded Translation

For this is what causes God to regard you with favor, if, because of consciousness of God, a man bears up under griefs and sorrows, suffering unjustly (undeservedly). For what credit is it to you to bear up patiently under it, if, being a sinner, you are punished (literally, beaten with the fist) for it?

For this is acceptable,

Acceptablecharts, so many times rendered grace in the Scriptures. Abbott-Smith says its basic meaning is that which causes favorable regard, here, of course, in the eyes of God.

if for conscience toward God

Consciencesuneidesis. The normal definition is the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending the one and condemning the other. However, in this case our definition may be more simple. The phrase, for conscience toward God, also may be read because you are conscious of God, that is, His presence, His all-seeing eye, etc. Literally, the phrase reads because of consciousness of God. Most modern translators have adopted the latter rendering.

a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.

Wrongfullyadikos, is an adverb meaning unjustly, undeservedly, without fault.

For what glory is it,

Glorykleos, properly rumour, report; then good report, praise, credit.

if, when ye sin,

Sinis here a present participle, hence the meaning when (as) you are sinning, or being a sinful one, or being a sinner. The word, hamartano, means literally to miss the mark, hence to be guilty of wrong.

and are buffeted for it,

Buffetedkolaphidzo, derived from kolaphos (a blow with the fist), hence to beat with the fist, buffet. See especially Matthew 26:67 for a familiar example. It is likely here, however, that the specific term is used for the general meaning of harsh treatment.

ye shall take it patiently,

Patientlyliterally, to stay or remain behind (when others have departed). Then to bear up under, endure, persevere.

On the whole passage, compare Matthew 5:10-12. See also Ephesians 6:5, Colossians 3:22-25.

1 Peter 2:21-22 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

Expanded Translation

For into this state (of suffering and bearing up under it properly) you have been called: Because Christ also suffered for you (and He Himself was faultless), leaving you an example to be copied, that you might tread in His footsteps; who did not commit an act of sin, neither was guile or deceit found in his mouth.

For hereunto were ye called

Or, to such experience you have been called, or that is the life to which you have been calledthat is, bearing up and enduring under trial and persecution. When accepting the call to follow Christ, we also accepted the call of a life of suffering and enduring, As Christ suffered and endured. (See John 15:20.)

because Christ also suffered for you

This was prophesied and Christ knew it would be so, for it was necessary in God's plan of redeeming the world. But in another sense it was wrongfullysee 1 Peter 2:22. Christ was given an unfair trial, wrongfully accused, etc. Thus He was a perfect illustration of the type of suffering that is virtuous, that type of suffering of which Peter just spoke (1 Peter 2:20).

leaving you an example,

EXAMPLEhupogrammos, means basically a writing-copy, including all the letters of the alphabet, given to beginners as an aid while learning to draw them. Hence, an example that is set before one.

Who has not, in his younger days, experienced the difficulty of following the perfect examples of written letters in his copy-book? However, if we would have continually striven to copy the letters after the perfect example in our book, we would surely have improved with time. The fault in most of our writing is that we do not continually pattern it after a perfect model. This is also the frequent fault of Christian people. Instead of copying Christ, their perfect copy-book, they are following the poor example of their fellow man or their own lives.

that ye should follow his steps

FOLLOWepakoloutheo, means to follow close upon, to follow after. Metaphorically it is used here of treading in another's footsteps, that is, imitating another's example, for we have here the phrase, that ye should follow his steps, There is a picture here of one walking, whose steps as he proceeds are visible (as when one walks in the dust or snow). Following such a person, we are not to follow his trail carelessly, but rather, place our footsteps in His.

The particular way that we are to follow in the very steps of Christ is in suffering wrongfully and yet being obedientin spite of the harshest persecution.
Notice who says this! Perhaps, as he wrote, it was with reflection upon his own life, when he (Peter) did not follow this very exhortation.

neither was guile found in his mouth.

GUILEsee definition under 1 Peter 2:1, and its opposite without guileunder 1 Peter 2:2.

FOUNDheurisko generally indicates to find or discover after searching, to find a thing sought after.

Notice especially that Jesus suffered though He was sinless, and thus suffered wrongfully. The inference is that you as a Christian may be called upon to suffer even though you are living as Christ lived. We should not be alarmed, therefore, if we suffer, even though we know of no particular reason for it. Christ was perfect, but He still suffered. 1 Peter 2:22 shows His perfection in both deed and word.

Concerning Christ's sufferings we may say:

1.

He did suffer, and we will also if we are living as He did.

2.

He suffered unjustly, no real crime being proven against Him. So should it be with us.

3.

He suffered for the good and benefit of others.

4.

His manner of conduct in suffering provides a Divine copy for us to follow.

1 Peter 2:23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Expanded Translation

Who being reviled did not revile back (did not return the same type of abusive speech); Suffering, was not threatening, but was committing himself to him who judges righteously and justly:

who, when he was reviled,

REVILEDloidoreo means to reproach, rail at, heap abuse upon. See its usage in John 9:28, Acts 23:4, 1 Corinthians 4:12.

reviled not again

Literally, did not revile back; that is, Jesus did not retaliate with the same type of abuse that was given Him. He lived what He taught: Matthew 5:38-48.

when he suffered, threatened not;

THREATENEDapeileo, to threaten, menace, rebuke. Compare Acts 4:17.

Our Saviour knew He was in the safe hands of His Father. He also knew His Father would render justice to those who had unjustly treated Him. But that was the Father's duty, not His (Romans 12:17-21).

1 Peter 2:24-25 who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Expanded Translation

who himself carried the burden of our sins in his own body upon the cross, in order that we, after having died (ceased from) sin, might live for righteousness; by whose bloody wounds ye were healed, (restored from a state of sin and condemnation). For you were misled and wandering about like lost sheep, but are now returned (brought back) unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

_______________________

who his own self bare our sins in his body

The first part of 1 Peter 2:24 emphasizes the part of Christ in our redemption. It was Christ Himself who underwent such affliction for us, Why? That: (1) We might die to sin and (2) Having died that death, live for righteousness.

having died unto sins

The words having died carries the basic idea of being removed from. When we die physically, the spirit is removed from the body. When we die to sin, we should be alienated from its influence and practice in our lives.

by whose stripes

Stripes, molops. Literally, the mark of a blow, then, a wound, a wound that bleeds. By enduring such suffering, involving both mental and physical agony, we were made spiritually whole. By His wounds on the cross, our spiritual wounds were healed.

ye were healed

The Bible in several places refers to our spiritual restoration as healing from our previous state of sickness: Isaiah 1:5-6, Matthew 13:15, Hebrews 12:12-13.

shepherd and bishop of your souls

Bishop would be better rendered overseer or watcher. Christ is our guide, protector, guardian, and provider. Such care is ours, if we will only commit ourselves into His hands. (See comments, 1 Peter 5:2-3.)