1 Peter 2:18-25 Sermon
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13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
In the previous passage we see that we had commands which had to do with the believer’s responsibility to human institutions which included the emperor or king, to governors, to those in authority.
A human institution is a man made administrative agency that is governed by people to govern people.
And the command given to us is:
To be subject or to honor. Which means to be willing to submit or to have an inclination to submit to them.
The passage listed an emperor, governors and those sent by authorities. But clearly, the most important of all authority is God. And it is His will that we submit. So that by doing good we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Which is not guaranteed that they will be silenced in this life, but ultimately in the life to come. If they do not repent and turn from their slandering of God’s people.
does not mean that they will be silenced in this life, but ultimately in the life to come if they do not repent and turn from their sin. Which includes the slander of God’s people.
We are first servants of God. Bond slaves of God. And our freedom is an extension of our submission to Christ.
We are to live free. And we are to live with integrity. Which means that we are not to use our freedom in Christ as a cover up for sin. We are to display genuinely our affection for God.
This is how we can “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
All this comes from our citizenship that is in heaven. Which I attempted to emphasize last week.
Sermon Text
Sermon Text
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 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. 21 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. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 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. 24 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. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Background
Background
1 Peter 2:18-
In we see who Peter is talking to.
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
He was talking to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion.
Dispersion (διασπορά) was a term used to for Jews living in Gentile lands. It was to those who resided in Palestine.
Many of the early church fathers noted that this was specifically to Jews living in Gentile lands which they referenced from . Where Paul had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised and Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised.
7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
The Dispersion was used mainly as a literal reference to the Jews (as opposed to Gentiles). But also it was used as a metaphorical reference to all Christians that included both Jew and Gentile.
Paul had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised and Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Diaspora in the New Testament
1. A literal reference to a predominantly Jewish (as opposed to gentile) audience
2. A metaphorical reference to all Christians, including gentiles, as a “true Israel.”
1. A literal reference to a predominantly Jewish (as opposed to gentile) audience
This portion of Scripture is in reference to Christians who have found themselves in the Dispersion who needed encouragement, not only in their exile as scattered believers, but specifically in their service as slaves. Which might have been the result of their being scattered and in need of finding work.
2. A metaphorical reference to all Christians, including gentiles, as a “true Israel.”
A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: 1 Peter Exgetical and Critical
Dispersion (διασπορά) was the current phrase used to designate Jews living in Gentile lands, i. e. residing out of Palestine. cf. Jno. 7:35; Jas. 1:1. This shows plainly who were the readers of the epistle: they were believing Jews, here and there joined by a few Gentile converts. This was the field confided to the care of Peter, Gal. 2:7, while the sphere of Paul’s labours lay among the Gentiles. Origen, Jerome and Epiphanius, testify that Peter was mainly engaged in preaching the Gospel to the Jews in the countries here specified. Such is the opinion of many among the more ancient commentators, e. g. Eusebius, Didymus, Œcumenius, who are followed by Grotius, Calvin and others: (vide Introduction).
Outline
Outline
1: The Call (v.18-21)
2: The Example (v.22-25)
1: The Call (v.18-21)
1: The Call (v.18-21)
Verse 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
Verse 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
It is important to note that this call to be subject or to submit is not only given to servants.
Peter uses it in verse 13 of our text. Commanding everyone to be subject.
He also uses it in chapter 3 verse 1. Commanding wives to be subject to husbands.
In our text today, it is given as a command for servants to be subject to masters which literally means subject to slave owners.
This can be a very offensive term. Especially given the history of our own country.
The difference to what Peter is talking about and slavery in America is that in America slaves were taken from their home country and forced to be slaves and were treated as subhuman and as objects.
But this treatment is unbiblical and it is not what the bible teaches.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:
The slavery and master command Peter is giving was given to those who were household slaves.
The commands to be subject included: all believers, wives and here in our text, to slaves.
He used it to command everyone to submit to human institutions and he used it for wives to be subject to husbands. Both of which we see are voluntary acts of submission.
The word used for slave/servant refers primarily to domestic helpers, slaves who worked within a household.
It does seem to be a voluntary act due to Jewish Christians being scattered which meant that they were displaced and in need of work.
We do have in early Christianity a concept of slavery that was different from Greco-Roman culture.
It allowed a slave to be the equal of a slaveholder within the community of the church.
There were still slaves but slaves were equals with masters.
Clement of Rome was an early church father who lived and ministered at the close of the apostolic era near the end of the first century. And He spoke of Christians who willingly sold themselves into slavery so that they might both free and feed others.
He spoke of Christians who willingly sold themselves into slavery so that they might both free and feed others.
In early Christianity thus developed a concept of freedom that differed from that of the Greco-Roman society—one that allowed a slave to be the equal of a slaveholder within the new ecclesiastical community, for all are equally both free and slaves of God. In the New Testament, freedom is consistently viewed as “freedom from circumstances or other people” at the social level; the freedom terminology in the New Testament “points to the fact that believers are set free and enabled to engage others in agape” (Hurtado 2015, 209; see also the discussion in Senior 2003, 72–73). This theological orientation explains how
Since this most likely was an act of will on the part of the servant to their master, Peter in verse 18 calls on them to be subject with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
Question: Why would Peter tell servants to be subject to masters who are unjust? Which can also mean immoral and dishonest?
Answer: Read verse 19.
Verse 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
Verse 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
A Handbook on the First Letter from Peter 1 Peter 2:18
The word used for slaves (Greek oiketai) refers primarily to domestic helpers, slaves who worked within the household.
2:18 Servants. The vast majority of such servants were slaves and were treated as property. To a large extent the economy of the ancient world depended on slavery. Like other New Testament writers, Peter does not condemn slavery, and slaves are commanded to obey their masters. Nevertheless, the New Testament requires that slaves be treated with respect, and masters are not to mistreat their slaves (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1). Furthermore, the spiritual equality of slave and free in the church community is strongly emphasized (Gal. 3:28; cf. 1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 3:11), and slaves are encouraged to seek their freedom by lawful means (1 Cor. 7:21–24). In the late 1700’s, when slavery came under attack, these teachings helped to undermine the institution of slavery.
household servant n. — a servant who lives in the same house with their master; probably whose duties are primarily restricted to the household.
Verse 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
Verse 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
What Peter is saying here is Servants, be subject to your masters for this is a gracious thing.
Question: How can this be a gracious thing? How can this be of benefit? To endure sorrows while suffering unjustly.
Answer: Read verse 20
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Question: How is this a gracious thing? To be subject to a master who is unjust?
Answer: When one is mindful of God they endure the sorrow that comes when suffering unjustly and God sees it as a gracious thing.
It is a gracious thing because God sees it.
But Peter does not use the same word gracious in verse 20 that he did in verse 19.
It is a gracious thing because a great reward is waiting for you in heaven.
It is a gracious thing
The Christian is blessed if found in a situation of suffering unjustly.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Question: What credit is it to suffer when doing good and found to be innocent of what your suffering?
Answer: God will reward us.
Christians who entered into a life of slavery had to keep in mind their treasure in heaven.
This was how believers were able to endure suffering!
Examples:
The Apostles were charged not to preach but they continued to do so any way.
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 5:
39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
The Christian is called to suffer even if it comes with unjust treatment and accusation.
The Christian is called to suffer because we are called to follow Christ even into an unjust situation like being under someone who us unjust.
The command here is: Servants, be subject to your masters (repeat)
For this is a gracious thing.
with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 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. 21 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.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure?
For to this you have been called.
God has summoned you to endure suffering. Even if it means to suffer unjustly.
Verse 21 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.
Verse 21 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.
Question: If this is the call to those who are slaves how much more us?
Christ has given us an absolute and perfect example of submission. And we are called to follow Him in that path.
Question: How can one endure suffering? Especially when it is done unjustly?
Answer: Look to Christ! Follow Christ and know that your reward is great in heaven!
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
That’s what this means! It means that Jesus is our example and treasure. And this should overwhelm our present sufferings! And our call is to repay good for evil and to look to our reward!
2: The Example (v.22-25)
2: The Example (v.22-25)
Verse 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
Verse 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
Peter is remembering
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
He committed no sin yet Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
There was no deceit found in His mouth yet Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
If anyone didn’t deserve to suffer it was Christ. And He did it voluntarily, for you.
When He suffered unjustly He did not return the unjust treatment which what was deserved.
Verse 23 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.
Verse 23 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.
Question: Will you follow in His steps when reviled? Abused verbally and threatened?
Answer: To follow Him means to entrust yourself to Him who judges justly. It is God who judges justly.
If we do not do this, if we do not follow in His steps then we must put to question our profession of faith.
A servant being treated harshly and unjustly needed this reminder in order to endure.
Verse 24 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.
Verse 24 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.
His suffering that was done unjustly because of our sin has brought to us a life of righteousness and healing.
He bore our sins in His body and died on a tree so that we could live.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
No matter if a Jew or Greek, slave nor free, male and female, all have fallen short of God’s glory.
And yet for all who come to saving faith in Christ find healing from the wounds He recieved when treated unjustly because of our sin.
Peter totally rips away every sense of entitlement because Christ was entitled to all glory and honor and yet He submitted Himself to the greatest shame that was ever displayed.
Verse 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Verse 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Notes:
Lexham Bible Guide: 1 Peter Slavery and Freedom in the New Testament (2:18–25)
Early Christianity thus developed a concept of freedom that differed from that of the Greco-Roman society—one that allowed a slave to be the equal of a slaveholder within the new ecclesiastical community, for all are equally both free and slaves of God. In the New Testament, freedom is consistently viewed as “freedom from circumstances or other people” at the social level; the freedom terminology in the New Testament “points to the fact that believers are set free and enabled to engage others in agape” (Hurtado 2015, 209; see also the discussion in Senior 2003, 72–73). This theological orientation explains how 1 Clement 55:2 describes Christians who willingly sold themselves into slavery so that they might both free and feed others.
It is amazing that Christ is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
Because as our souls were being watched over says that “he poured out his soul to death.”
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Question: If a believer who was a slave was called to endure unjust treatment how much more we?
This is our calling. And our calling is best done when knowing, believing and seeing Christ as our treasure and our greatest example.