Peter had already commanded believers to accept authority, here he specifically addressed Christians who were servants in pagan homes. The Greek word is not doulos, the usual word translated "slave." The Greek word used here means a household slave or servant. Slaves played a significant part in this society, with several million in the Roman Empire at this time. Slavery was sanctioned by law and part of the empire's social makeup. The instruction to slaves and masters in the New Testament applies to every generation of workmen. We are to be submissive to those who are over us, whether they are kind or unkind to us. When we work as unto the Lord rather than to our employer it makes a big difference. We are to do our best in everything we do so that our testimony does not faultier. Just as we are to obey those in Authority over us, we are to obey our employers. We have to use discretion; If we are not doing our job and are using company time to witness, where is our testimony? We need to make sure that we are honoring our work ethics so that God receives the glory.
It was not easy to be a slave in the First Century, even under the best of circumstances. It must have been a great test of a Christian slave to be submissive to a cruel master. Verse 19 ―For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 1 Peter 2:19 Peter said ―this is commendable. If the suffering arises from the servant’s faith in the gospel, his patient endurance is all the more commendable. We may suffer for many reasons. Some suffering comes as the direct result of our own sin; some happens because of our foolishness; and some is the result of living in a fallen world. Peter writes about suffering that comes as a result of doing good. Jesus never sinned, and yet he suffered so that we could be set free. When we follow Christ's example, we too may suffer. Our goal should be to face suffering as he did—with patience, calmness, and confidence, knowing that God controls the future.
Jesus proved that a person could be in the will of God, be greatly loved by God, and still suffer unjustly. His humility and submission were not evidence of weakness, but of power. We can deeply learn from this and remember who we are – that we are a child of the King. He is in control and we need to put our faith and trust in Him. Live for Him not for others.
Here, then, is the wonderful truth Peter wanted to share: as we live godly lives and submit in times of suffering, we are following Christ's example and becoming more like Him. We submit and obey, not only for the sake of lost souls and for the Lord's sake, but also for our own sake that we might grow spiritually and become more like Christ. The unsaved world is watching us, but the Shepherd in heaven is also watching over us; so we have nothing to fear. We can submit to Him and know that He will work everything together for our good and His glory.
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