VI. Godly Submission and Suffering (1 Peter 2:18-25)
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VI. Godly Submission and Suffering (2:18-25)
2:18-20 Like Paul (see commentary on Eph 6:5-9), Peter urges Christian household slaves to submit to their masters. He thus takes the reality of an unrighteous institution in the Roman world and tells believers how to honor God within it. Whether their masters were gentle or cruel, Christian slaves were to shine the light of Christ by their service (2:18). Though this could result in suffering unjustly (2:19), Peter reminds them that it is better to do good and suffer for it than to do evil and suffer. If we endure suffering for doing what is right, this brings favor with God (2:20). Consider Joseph. Though he acted with integrity toward his master, he was treated unjustly (Gen 39:1-20). Nevertheless, he entrusted himself to the Lord who “extended kindness to him” and “granted him favor” (Gen 39:21). This does not, however, negate using just means to address unrighteous treatment.
2:21-23 One matter Peter addresses repeatedly in this letter is how Christians should understand and respond to suffering. Though he will have much to say on this, Peter’s most important reminder is that we are called to suffer because Christ also suffered for us, giving us an example so we may follow in his steps (2:21). Jesus is the perfect example of someone enduring unjust suffering, since he alone is sinless (2:22). Rather than returning evil for evil, he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly (2:23). In this way, Joseph foreshadowed the great Suffering Servant—Jesus Christ.
2:24-25 We must also remember that Christ’s suffering was unique. He was more than a mere example. He suffered as our substitute to win our salvation. He himself bore our sins (2:24). Jesus not only died because we are sinners (we have a sin nature), but he also died for our sins—for every wrong we have committed or will commit: whether in thought, attitude, or action. Think of our sin nature as a car factory. When he died on the cross, Christ judged the factory. But he also judged the cars that came from the factory—our individual sins.
What was the purpose? So that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness (2:24). Righteousness is the standard that God requires. If you’re saved, Jesus gave you the ability to turn sin off and turn righteousness on. The devil doesn’t want you to know you can make such a switch and definitely doesn’t want you to do it. But we can say “no” to sin and “yes” to righteousness—“no” to Satan’s agenda and “yes” to God’s.
Peter then quotes from Isaiah 53:5-6: By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray. God is not promising that followers of Jesus never get sick (though some teach that false theology). There are various kinds of healing that we need. Yes, sometimes God grants physical healing, but we also need emotional healing and relational healing. And all healing is connected to Jesus’s wounds, and Jesus’s wounds are connected to his death for sin. So if you want healing in a relationship, you have to be willing to address the sins that brought about the relational problems. Jesus can bring such healing only if the root sins are dealt with (see Jas 5:14-16).
We were all like lost, dumb sheep. But by God’s grace, we have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of [our] souls (2:25). We need him to govern and guide our sin-infected souls so that we live to please God.