Submission, Suffering, & Grace
1 peter 2:13-25
Main Idea: We honor the Lord by freely submitting to authority and faithfully enduring suffering.
I. Free Submission (2:13-17)
Specifying how Christians are to live “honorable” lives among unbelievers (2:12) in a variety of ordinary vocations and relationships, Peter begins by addressing authorities, urging us to “be subject to every human institution” [lit. ‘creature’].
Peter gives three reasons for this general posture of submission:
Authorities have been sovereignly put in place by God to promote justice, so we submit to them “for the Lord’s sake” (cf. Dan. 2:21; Acts 5:29)
Free submission will silence ignorant slander and accusations (cf. 2:12)
We are ultimately servants and slaves of God (cf. 1 Cor. 7:22; Rom. 6:20, 22), embracing not merely a freedom from (negative freedom), but also a freedom for (positive freedom)
“Freedom is perhaps the most resonant, deeply held American value. Yet freedom turns out to mean being left alone by others, not having other people’s values, ideas, or styles of life forced upon one, being free of arbitrary authority in work, family, and political life. What it is that one might do with that freedom is much more difficult for Americans to define.”
~ Robert Bellah, Habits of the Heart
As a summary, we are to “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (2:17). Christians ought to have a general posture of honor and respect toward others, empowered by the love we have for the “household of faith” and our worship of God, the only one we are commanded to “fear.”
II. Faithful Endurance (2:18-20)
Peter then addresses ‘servants’ or ‘slaves’ in indentured servanthood in the Roman Empire (an estimated ¼ of the population), urging them to be subject with all respect to masters who are both ‘good’ and ‘unjust’ (lit. ‘crooked’).
Peter uses this relationship as a greater paradigm of the godly response in the face of mistreatment: to endure suffering unjustly, while being “mindful of God” is actually a “gracious thing” that will be rewarded by Him (cf. Eph. 6:5-8).
Luke 6:32–35: If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
III. Following Christ (2:21-25)
As we suffer for righteousness’ sake while doing good, we are stepping into our “calling” in Christ, following his example. Peter emphasizes a number of ways that Christ suffered as an example for us (cf. Isa. 53):
He did not sin or speak deceitfully
He did not revile or threaten in retaliation
He entrusted himself to God as a just Judge
Romans 12:19: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
While these exhortations are a difficult calling, Peter reminds us that Christ not only suffered with us, but he also suffered for us, in our place, on the cross. Christ’s sufferings are an invitation to a different posture and response to the sufferings we inevitably face in this life.
“If we ask the question: ‘Why does God allow evil and suffering to continue?’ and we look at the cross of Jesus, we still do not know what the answer is. However, we know what the answer isn’t. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us. It can’t be that he is indifferent or detached from our condition. God takes our misery and suffering so seriously that he was willing to take it on himself. … At the cross we have deep consolation and strength to face the brutal realities of life on earth.”
~ Tim Keller, The Reason for God
The outcome of Christ’s death on the ‘tree’(Deut. 21:32) on our behalf was not only for the forgiveness of our sins, but also that we might “die to sin and live to righteousness.” Christ’s crucifixion empowers us to live faithfully despite great opposition from within and without, having returned to our ultimate authority: The Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
