PETER’S EPISTLES: PREPARING FOR ETERNITY

XI. Handling Unjust Close Proximity Suffering

(1 Peter 2:18-25)

I. Introduction

A. Before the Apostle Peter began to minister for the Lord in the Church, his outlook was impacted by Christ’s prophecy in John 21:18-19 that he would be crucified for Christ. Eternity was thus often on Peter’s mind.

B. We view Peter’s epistles that highlight preparing for eternity, and in 1 Peter 2:18-25, Peter taught us how to handle unjust close proximity suffering. We view the passage for our insight, application and edification:

II. Handling Unjust Close Proximity Suffering, 1 Peter 2:18-25.

A. Peter admonished his readers who were slaves to submit to their masters not only if they were “good and considerate,” but also if they were “harsh,” 1 Peter 2:18 NIV. “Servants and slaves made up a high percentage of the early church, and undeserved punishment and suffering was common for the underlings.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, p. 847)

B. The Greek New Testament word for “slaves” (NIV; “servants” KJV) in verse 18 is not the usual term douloi, but oiketai, “which refers to household or domestic servants” as opposed to slaves who work outdoors, Ibid.

C. Accordingly, Peter addressed a very sensitive issue in his era: household slaves functioned in constant and close proximity to the household family, so they could face intense, constant mistreatment from their master or his family akin to what relatives of an extended family might face in today’s extended family gatherings! This passage then offers significant application to unjust suffering that occurs from one’s extended family!

D. Peter gave two reasons for such submission by household servants in 1 Peter 2:19-24 (as follows):

1. First, where there is no reward from God for suffering for one’s own wrongs, the Lord approves of a believer’s suffering patiently in submission to his master though he has done what is good, 1 Peter 2:19-20. Such a response to undeserved suffering reflects the grace of God in one’s attitude, which grace was demonstrated in God’s pouring His wrath out upon His own Son as the Substitutionary Sacrifice for sinful man and man’s sin! (1 Peter 2:21a with 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ibid., p. 847-848)

2. Second, “Peter powerfully supported his exhortation to slaves by citing Christ’s example of endurance in unjust suffering,” Ibid., p. 848; 1 Peter 2:21b. Peter then expanded on Christ’s example in 1 Peter 2:22-24:

a. Christ did not sin “before or during His suffering (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21 . . . ). He “was completely innocent in both deed and word: no deceit (dolos; cf. 1 Peter 2:1) was found in His mouth,” Ibid.; 1 Peter 2:22.

b. When Jesus had insults hurled at Him, He did not retaliate, and when He suffered, He made no threats though He as God Incarnate had the infinite power to carry out such threats! (1 Peter 2:23a)

c. Rather, Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father Who judges justly, 1 Peter 2:23b.

d. Furthermore, Christ Himself in infinite grace even bore our sins in His body on the cross, suffering God’s wrath against our sins that we might die to sins and live for righteousness, 1 Peter 2:24.

E. However, beyond just setting the example and providing salvation to believers, Christ currently gives guidance and protection to those who were headed away like sheep going astray from Him, but who then “turned about” to the Shepherd and Overseer of their souls, 1 Peter 2:25; Ibid. The terms “Shepherd” and “Overseer” emphasize “Christ’s matchless guidance and management of those who commit themselves to His care (cf. Ezek. 34:11-16),” what would be especially encouraging for domestic servants living under duress from inconsiderate masters or members of the master’s family! (Ibid.)

Lesson: When household servants who had to function in constant, close proximity with their master’s family members faced unjust suffering from their master and/or his family, such servants were to exhibit God’s grace by patiently bearing up under the mistreatment with God’s approval, and they were to follow Christ’s example on the cross. Christ there did not sin in word or deed both before or during His suffering, He did not retaliate to abusive speech nor did He threaten revenge but entrusted Himself to God’s oversight Who judges justly. In so doing, He graciously absorbed the wrath of God against our sins as believers and now He ministers to shepherd and oversee our souls as our Lord and Savior!

Application: (1) If we face unjust suffering from those with whom we function in close proximity, may we patiently bear up under the mistreatment in exhibiting God’s grace, what gains the Lord’s approval, and may we not sin, retaliate or threaten revenge, but entrust ourselves unto God to be the final Judge in the matter. (2) The balance to this instruction is given in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 where a believer is commanded to withdraw from harmful abusers.