In the context of 1 Peter 2:18-25, Peter continues to write concerning the manner of conduct that Jews should have before the Gentiles.
(Note: Peter is directing his comments at Jews who are Christians. This is why we can apply this to our lives without violating Scripture even though we are Gentiles who are Christians. In Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, both races are of the household of God where there is no distinction between races, Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 10:32. So although Peter is referring to how the Jews of the dispersion were to conduct themselves before Gentiles, he is speaking of Christian conduct before unbelievers. All Christians should have a good conduct before those who are not saved.)
It is the will of God that by doing good we should silence the ignorance of foolish men, 1 Peter 2:15. We do this by putting ourselves in subjection to those how have authority over us and by not giving into temptation. In verse 18 Peter states that slaves should be subject to both good and bad masters.
Slavery in the Roman empire was much different than what we have known slavery to be in this day and age. Slavery was not about owning people, but how the society worked. And often times, slaves were treated very well. They were educated, and could even earn their own money. However, if you were a slave, Peter states that you were to put yourself in subjection to both the good or gentile masters and the crooked masters. This is not the same as being an employee today. We are not bound to serve our bosses, we have the choice of leaving and finding another job. However, that does not mean that we should not respect the position those in authority hold or that we will not suffer because we choose to act in a proper way when the boss wants us to do something that is wrong. If a boss is doing something that is crooked, we have the right to leave, these slaves did not; therefore, they needed to put themselves in subjection to their masters regardless of what type they were.
This is actually a thing of Grace because these slaves, if they where under a crooked master, would have to suffer because of what their masters where doing. 1 Peter 2:19 “For this is a thing of Grace, if a man for conscience towards God endure grief, suffering wrongly.”
The word “thankworthy” is the same word for grace. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives us a benefit without consideration of merit.
Wrongfully suffering because we are doing good is something that we do not deserve. This is a thing of Grace. God allows us to join in the suffering of Christ, for He suffered because of the good that He did. And of course since we share in His suffering, we also share in His glory,1 Peter 4:13; Philippians 3:10.
The suffering that Peter is talking about is pain that is caused by an intense desire. It is not suffering persecution or suffering from being under pressure; however, suffering can be caused by persecution or being under pressure. Suffering here is more like, desiring to be quench due to extreme thirst.
These slaves were doing good things that their crooked masters did not want them doing and were therefore being treated harshly because of it. However, if they were sinning, it was not a thing of grace for them to remain under a master that caused them to suffer. They deserved the suffering.
It is the same with us today. If we are treated harshly because of our sins, should we get credit for staying under the suffering that is caused by the harsh treatment?
For what kind of report is there if while sinning and being treated harshly, you remain under it? But if while doing good and suffering you remain under the harsh treatment, this is grace from God, 1 Peter 2:20.
When it comes to Christians, when we continue to do what is good and are treated harshly by others who do not want to do good, by suffering because of our good conduct God shows us grace. Not what you would normally think of as grace is it? Grace is usually something that is thought of as good and peaceful, not suffering for doing good; however, it is.
Now Peter goes into the example that Christ left for us. An example that we should follow. Christ committed no sin, nor was there any deceit found in His mouth while He was slandered and caused to suffer; rather while He was slandered, He did not slander; while He suffered, He did not threaten. but, He committed Himself to the one who righteously judges and as a result bore in His own body our sins upon the tree in order that we, having died to sins, might live unto righteousness, by whose stripes we were healed.
This healing is not physical, although I have heard it stated that way many of times. The context does not allow it to be physical. We are not talking about physical healing here; rather Peter is talking about having died to your sin nature and now able to live unto righteousness. The healing is Spiritual.
Because of what Christ did, we are alive unto God in Christ. This is the healing that Peter is referring to here. We are free from the authority of the sin nature and able to live righteously unto God. Therefore,we should follow Christ’s example and not give into temptation; rather, we should suffer for having a good conduct before all men knowing that when we suffer it is a thing of grace.
(For more information on how we died to sin, and the affect it should have on our lives, look back to some of the older posts where I wrote about the sin nature, our new position, and living spiritually. Sunday, November 4,2007 is on the sin nature)
