Peter told us that our submission to authorities is not only the will of God, it also serves to silence those that do not believe in God. Everyone knows that it is easy to say one thing, and then do something entirely different. Therefore our willing submission would demonstrate our commitment to God and to His truth. Saint Francis of Assisi (also known as Giovanni Bernardone) is believed to have said, “preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” Even though this is not exactly what the Bible teaches, it certainly reminds us of the need to always be aware of how we are perceived by others especially unbelievers. Our witness and our lives may be the only Biblical teaching applied to life that some people will ever see or hear.
2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
We are to live as people who are free. We are no longer slaves to sin; we are free from sin’s condemnation (see Romans 8:1-2, 38-39). Does this mean we are to use our freedom foolishly or as one pleases? No, of course not (see 1 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 5:13-15). Peter tells us that we are not to use our freedom as an excuse saying that we are not to shroud (hide) any evil in our lives. What is evil? In the broadest sense it could mean anything that takes our eyes off God, however, this word can be used to refer to many forms of evil including wickedness, maliciousness, vengeance (see Romans 12:19), bitterness, hostility, disobedience, or just a willingness to break the law.
Instead of doing evil we should be living as servants (the Greek word ‘doulos’ is often translated as slaves)[1] of God. We are to be obedient servants to God. After explaining how God demonstrated His love for us by justifying all believers by the blood of Jesus in Romans chapter 5, Paul tells us that our response to this love is to recognize that we have been redeemed (purchased from slavery of sin) and become slaves to righteousness (read Romans 6:15-23).
2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Peter says we are to honor everyone and love (using the word for the highest form of love) the community of believers. Jesus told us that we are to be lights to a dark world (see Matthew 5:14-16). How do we bring light to a world that would prefer to stay in the dark? We can do it by showing genuine concern and love to everyone, and fear God, all while respecting and obeying the human authority (here referred to as ‘emperor’) God placed over us (read Romans 13:1-7).
2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
Peter begins the next verse with a different word for servants, this one implies the servant is from the same house. Being a servant is not considered a highly desirable position, yet God on multiple occasions reminds us that we are here to be His servants (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 7:20-24; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:91-10). As servants of God we need to also extend our respect to those who are over us in (including our employers) regardless if they are good and gentle (patient and equitable)[2] to us, or unjust (unreasonable, unfair, wicked, harsh, or cruel). This is considered to be favorable to God when we are thinking of Him (motivated by the love for God and not for our personal gain or trying to impress someone) as we endure pain or grief while suffering unjustly.
2:19 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.
Peter asks the question for what credit or praise is it if when you sin (do something wrong) and are beaten for it and endure? There is no glory in this suffering (which in a sense is why Jesus died for our sins, read Hebrews 12:3-17). But when you do good, or help someone else do good, and are beaten for it and you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
2:21 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.
Peter notes that it is this type of suffering (see Romans 8:16-17) we have been called to endure (see Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18) willingly, because Jesus also suffered for us. This is the same word used to convey suffering in verses 19 and 20 pertaining to Christians, however we must understand that Jesus suffered in two ways. The first way He suffered was as a man suffering for righteousness sake (essentially persecution for doing the right thing), we can certainly imitate and emulate the same behavior and suffer as He did. However, He also lived a perfect life and suffered for the sins of the world providing our redemption, which is something we have to believe and accept as being true, but we can never imitate.
He suffered ridicule, misunderstanding, and physical suffering for what is right, leaving us a role model to emulate. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, gave him a warning regarding being a follower of Christ and some practical advice on how to live. In the middle of that epistle he told Timothy that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” and that all Scripture “is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” (see 2 Timothy 3:10-17) Sadly, many churches today frown on the concept of reproof and correction, all too often if a fellow Christian does something wrong (against the Word of God), church leaders and other Christians, desiring not to be judged themselves, remain quiet, or pretend they didn’t see anything.
Suffering can come to Christians in many ways. When the subject of suffering comes up in Christian circles we often think of sickness, loss of a loved one, chronic pain, loss of a job, etc. These of course are all part of suffering but we also need to understand that our willingness to persevere through these issues sets Christians apart from the world. Just as Job would not curse God for what he endured we also must stand firm in our faith. But Christian suffering goes way beyond sickness, etc. Anytime we encounter pressure from the world we need to make the right decisions and endure the consequences without complaining and certainly without cursing God. For example, if you receive peer pressure to do something and you’re the only one thinking you should refuse, the fear of potential rejection or ridicule is very real. This issue can affect all ages, including young children. Suffering truly comes in many forms and packages. We need to know right from wrong before we can make the right decisions. In other words, we need to learn God’s Word and when we encounter adversity we need to pray and seek God’s discernment, peace, and strength. Once we know how to respond, we need to promptly do it and endure as Jesus repeatedly did. Can you relate to His suffering or are you an under-cover Christian? Read Psalm 69.
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[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 1401
[2] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek Nos. 18 and 1933