1 Peter 2:13-3:7 Submission: The Weapon of The Christian

Key theme of the Bible: Order from Chaos

Creation story was God making order from chaos

Sin was reestablished chaos

Until the return of Christ, order is maintained through:

government

family

religion

Submission to established order is key to Christian success

While no earthly system is perfect, it is useful

God restrains evil through these systems

Chaos is rebellion against God

Key themes of 1 Peter

Suffering (at least 7 times)

Christians can expect to suffer

Christians can expect to be a victim

Submission (6 times)

Peter’s response to suffering

Demonstrates a Christian lifestyle

We submit in 3 ways:

civic authority

social oppression

familial responsibilities

Peter speaks on all three

He speaks in the worst case scenario

Civil Obedience is the Will of God

1 Peter 2:13–14 ESV

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

This is not an absolute truth

Government is a tool of God

Remember Peter’s audience

actions speak louder than words

1 Peter 2:15 ESV

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

ignorance = lacking spiritual discernment

Our best combat against immorality is living morally & respectfully

because no matter who is in charge, we are God’s slaves

1 Peter 2:16–17 ESV

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

As Christians we avoid scandal and gossip

We are marked by how we treat our enemies

Matthew 5:43–45 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

We conduct ourselves publicly by:

honor everyone

love Christians

fear God

honor leaders

we are slaves to God

Social Order Requires Submission to Awful People

The Gospel is demonstrated by how we react to unjust superiors

1 Peter 2:18–19 ESV

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

“when mindful of God”

respect is given in spite of what is deserved

Christ is our example in response to injustice

1 Peter 2:20–21 ESV

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Christ suffered unjustly for you

You can suffer graciously for Him

“for this you have been called”

Peter reminds us how Christ suffered

1 peter 2:22-25

1 Peter 2:22–25 ESV

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Christ lived righteously and died unjustly

So you can follow His example of righteousness

John 15:20–21 ESV

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

We cannot expect better than Him

And we should respond in a similar manner in all areas of life

A Healthy Marriage Requires Submission

In marriage, actions speak louder than words

1 Peter 3:1–2 ESV

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

A wife can influence her husband through respect

Peter starts with the culturally worst case scenario

Without a word, win over the one disobedient to the word

Submission demonstrates the word of God

Holy character is the best breeding ground for mutual love

1 Peter 3:3–6 ESV

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

Gentle and quiet invites God

Appearances will not replace character

A place of submission is not a place of fear

1 Peter 3:7 ESV

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Husbands should treat their wife in an honoring way

like a delicate instrument

She is a coheir (equal)

And the husbands action may hinder his prayers

Honor is a key to submission

Submission applies to all aspects of life

Most of all, submission to God

This is fundamental to the Christian life

This is the best way to show the Gospel