1 Peter 2:18-20
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Apostle Peter addresses the relationship of the slaves to the masters. As the slaves turn to Christ for salvation, they are required to do a better job in their duty towards their master. In the Roman Law, the slaves were considered as a commodity and were expected to do manual labors and domestic services for their masters. The unskilled slaves were treated harshly. In such a context, Peter commands the Christian slaves not to rebel or seek getaways from their masters but to serve them wholeheartedly in reverent fear of God.
Peter brings this idea that the slaves serve their earthly master with God in mind as their only true Master. Peter, then, points to the fact that there is great favor in the suffering of injustice because they are conscious of God (because of an awareness of (the will of) God), Amplified). The realization of the sovereignty of God even in those bitter circumstances should help them in not retaliating against their cruel masters. Christianity does not justify wrong punishment but commends those who are wrongly treated for their right deeds because God is the ultimate Judge.
When a person is inflicted for his wrongdoings, there is no praise for it. But when a person is mistreated for good deeds, this finds favor with God. Christians, then, should have the attitude of peace and patience when they face undesirable situations. The essence of this teaching goes back to the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:46-48, “And if you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors love their friends (Christians ought to react differently than the people of this world). If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about this? Don’t even believers do that? But you must always act like your Father in heaven (Amplified).”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the true Master of our lives. You are the ultimate judge of all humans. We look to you for the quickening of your coming and execution of your justice, amen.
