READ: 1 Peter 2:18-25
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. … But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. – 1 Pet. 2:18-20
Slaves who are bound to a household are in an extremely dependent position. Their master can exploit and mistreat them at will. There are also masters who are lenient and treat their slaves well. Now, Peter says to the household servants who are Christians in verse 18: “Be submissive to your masters with all respect.” Not only submissive because you are forced to, but with all respect. All masters? Yes, “not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.”
This may go against our sense of justice. Yet the Lord asks for a humble and respectful attitude, even towards evil masters who are unfair and unjust (see also Tit. 2:9, 1 Tim. 6:1, Col. 3:22, Eph. 6:5). Verse 20: “Even if they unjustly beat you, you must endure it patiently.”
With these texts, we cannot judge the entire problem of slavery. Governments also have the responsibility to combat abuses. But what God’s Word says about the relationship between slave and master concerns the duty to obey those whom God has placed above you and how to deal with suffering.
No, it is not to your credit if you receive beatings for having sinned by going against your master’s will. But if you do good, and suffer for it, it is pleasing in God’s sight. You have accepted and obeyed the one whom God has placed above you; the beatings will be repaid by God. But enduring them is pleasing to God.
Do you know of a similar situation yourself?
Singing: Ps. 112:1