33. Submission to Masters p2

Submission to Masters p2: The Command of Submission

The last time we had a lengthy introduction about slave life in the Roman empire and the affect that Christianity had. Most of the NT church such was made up largely of slaves, freedmen, and slave owners. Where slaves were considered to be nothing more than property and not even human Christ not only restores their humanity but elevates and exalts their lowly position. With their humanity restored, what would be the next? They were free from the bondage of sin should they not now be free from the bondage of men? You can see how things could have been tense within congregations. Especially when slaves might have positions of leadership in the church that their masters may not.

1Pe 2:18-25  Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.  (19)  For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.  (20)  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.  (21)  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  (22)  "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH";  (23)  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;  (24)  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.  (25)  For you were like sheep going astray but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

General Observations

Before we begin with our points this morning there are a couple of observations to be pointed out in this text. There are many good translations of the Bible. Jeff and I preach from the NKJV but you may use KJV, NASB, ESV or some other. There is no problem with that. But different versions sometimes translate a Greek word differently for several reasons like emphasis or readability. But sometimes there is a sacrifice made. When we read and study the Scripture we know if a word or phrase or line of reason is repeated it is for emphasis and is therefore important. When translations choose to translate a word differently within context it is easier to miss an important point. So we will go over some textual issues in the verses and perhaps come up with a literal reading which will capture better the writer’s intent. Once we are done I will read it but it will also be on the outline notes in your bulletin. Peter uses a word three times in 2 verses. The Greek word is hupophero literally means to bear up underneath. In the NKJV it is translated as endure in verse 19, but in the verse 20 it is translated as ‘take it’. There is another word Peter uses and the is ‘karis’. This word is used 158x’s in the NT. The majority of texts where karis is used, it is translated as grace. It is also translated as favor. Peter uses this in verse 19 and 20 where it is translated commendable in the NKJV.

NASB 1Pe 2:19-20  For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.  (20)  For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

KJV 1Pe 2:19-20  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  (20)  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

ESV 1Pe 2:19-20  For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.  (20)  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.

Which is the most accurate? In this case I lean toward the ESV. It is consistent with the way karis is translated in the majority of texts and is also consistent in its translation of hupophero as endure. It is a good Bible Study tool to have multiple translations of the Bible to compare.

V 18. Household slaves, be submitting yourselves in all fear to your masters. Not only to the good and gentle but also to the harsh. V19 For this is grace if because of consciousness of God anyone bears up under pain while suffering unjustly. V20 For what glory is it if sinning and being beaten you bear up? But if doing good and suffering you bear up this is grace before God. V21 To this you were called, because also Christ suffered on behalf of you, to you leaving a pattern that you should follow in His steps

1. The Command

2. The Condition

3. The Consequence

4. The Calling and Purpose

5. Application

I. The Command: Servants be submissive with all fear.

The verb here is a present tense which lends force to the imperative. It was to be a continuous habitual action. The word for submission is the same as used in the general call for all to submit to governing authorities. As a reminder Submission defined – used 43x tin the NT. The Greek word for submission was a military term meaning to draw up in order of battle, to form, array, marshal, both troops or ships. It meant that troop divisions were to be arranged in a military fashion under the command of the leader. In this state of subordination, they were now subject to the orders of their commander. Thus, it speaks of the submission of one individual under or to another. It was also used to describe the arrangement of military implements on a battlefield in order that one might carry out effective warfare! In non-military use, it is described a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, or carrying a burden. And we are not only children of God, not only ambassadors in His name, but we are soldiers.

2Ti 2:4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Fear is to be understood as meaning ‘fear of God’ rather than servile, cringing fear of one’s master that submits to avoid punishment. It describes the Christian consciousness of the slaves as they went about their duties. It is indicative of Christian care and concern to do all things as unto the Lord.

Col 3:17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Eph 6:5-7  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;  (6)  not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.  (7)  With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

The word ‘all’ intensifies the thought. There was to be no half-hearted attitude in approaching their duties. This would be difficult to do in the best conditions, but their conditions were not perfect. Some were good others not so much.

II. The Condition – your masters

The word masters is translated from the Greek word despotes. It is the same word we get despots, which is An emperor, king or prince invested with absolute power, or ruling without any control from men, constitution or laws. Hence in a general sense, a tyrant. But as it is used here it is the complete ownership of the slave up to and including his/her life.

There are two types noted here, the good and gentle and the harsh.

The primary emphasis in this classification shows the Peter’s primary emphasis was with the harsh masters. Those that were good and gentle were willing to moderate the harsh demands of the law concerning slaves. There inner disposition of was of benevolence and patience in dealing with failures. Peter assumes there were such masters.

The word for harsh is the same word for the back condition called scoliosis. It is a curvature of the spine. The long and short of it there were those masters who were crooked. As a reminder these masters were in complete control of their slaves including life and death. There was no Christian morals to temper their demands of desires. Often times commands from theses kinds of masters would be contrary to the law of God. How would the Christian slave respond to the demand of the master to produce children with another slave? Kenneth Wuest, a Greek NT scholar, adds this note on the harsh masters: The masters had their faces dead set against these Christian slaves. We can understand that attitude when we remember that these slaves lived lives of singular purity, meekness, honesty, willingness to serve, and obedience in the households of their heathen masters. All this irritated them, and they reacted in a most unpleasant way toward their slaves, whom they would punish without provocation. Yet they did not want to sell these Christian slaves and buy pagan ones, for the Christian slaves served them better.

Peter uses the same word to at the end of his sermon at Pentecost Act 2:40  And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." This was the generation that betrayed innocent blood in crying out for Christ’s crucifixion and wanting the release of a murderer.

Notice that the condition of submission with respect was not based on the behavior, good or bad of the master.

III. The Consequence – knowing grace, favor

Going back to our more literal translation in verse 19,20

For this is grace if because of consciousness of God anyone bears up under pain while suffering unjustly. For what glory is it if sinning and being beaten you bear up? But if doing good and suffering you bear up this is grace before God.

To state this clearly, Peter is saying, that a slave, with his/her eyes fixed on God, submitting and being obedient to His commands, suffers punishment in staying true to God in obedience finds grace. This harkens back to the limits of submission to governing authorities, to anyone in authority over us. We must all declare what the apostles did before the Pharisees in Act 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.

There is also the statement that there is no worth or value in suffering for doing what is wrong. We should expect justice for wrongs done and so to bear up under them is no gain.

But what is the grace that is gained? One is encouragement that the Lord is working conforming to the image of Christ. Php 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Such has been the work of sanctification that the crooked master rages against the Christian slave. 2Ti 3:12  Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

But even more is that grace found to endure comes the God of all grace, where the supply is as infinite as He is infinite. 1Pe 5:10  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. This is not the promise of future grace, but the assurance of His very present grace.

Peter says in chapter 5 that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

There is a sense to of favor in that we have assurance that God is pleased. O that we might hear the well done from our Father’s lips.

IV. Our Calling and Purpose

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps

Not suffering for the sake of suffering but suffering for righteousness sake. But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds grace from God. (21) For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.

Being called to suffer does not seem like much of a calling does it. And it wouldn’t if it was just for the sake of suffering. But it is more. In context Peter is speaking to slaves. But this calling is not limited to slaves. We are all called and the calling finds its fullest meaning in it’s purpose and the that is found in the example that Christ has left for us. ‘Since Christ has suffered for you’. He suffered for our salvation. 1Pe 2:24  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Now our suffering does not accomplish salvation for others like Christ. But suffering for what is right can be used of God in bringing conviction to others. Here is an example: Act 16:22-30  Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.  (23)  And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.  (24)  Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.  (25)  But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  (26)  Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.  (27)  And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.  (28)  But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."  (29)  Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  (30)  And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

1Pe 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Remember that the day of visitation can mean the day God’s visit’s with salvation or with judgement.

1Pe 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Application: We are not slaves so how do we apply this to our life. There are several principles.

Though we are not slaves we have the assurance that those who desire to live godly will be persecuted. The first principle is let us have the Lord central in our hearts and minds and have as our singular focus to walk in obedience to His commands. From that principle let us be steadfast, principled Christians who do what is right before God rather than bow to pragmatism. God’s standards do not change according to our circumstance. The third principle is Christ suffered the cross in His love for us, so we should love others in the same way. What is a soul worth? Christ suffered for us, Christians through the ages have suffered for the gospel’s sake. Maybe the person who God used to bring the gospel to you suffered to being it. When my friend shared the gospel with me he knew it might at a minimum change our friendship or lose it all together if I had rejected Christ. But he and his wife loved me enough to suffer the possible rejection and ridicule I might have given them. Are we willing to suffer to bring the gospel to someone else?

Lastly, you may feel like there is a weight of expectation over your head and wondering how you are going to be equal to the task. In all of our sin, weakness and failure take it to Jesus. In Sunday school we saw Christ’s joy being elevated when we come to Him in our weakness. He desires to make us whole, for us to come to Him. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, despising the shame, and not sits at the right hand of God. That joy is bringing salvation to His people. Providing His infinite supply of love, grace, and mercy to us every step of the way. He knows joy when we come to Him in our sin, weakness and shame.