Submission While Suffering Unjustly • 08.13.23

Nick Lees   -   August 13, 2023

Submission while Suffering Unjustly

1 Peter 2:18-25

Following Christ’s example in submitting to unjust authorities

1. Submit even to unjust authorities
2. Submit for the sake of God’s glory
3. Submit because God blesses you
4. Submit to fulfill your calling as a Christian

Good morning church family! (Welcome visitors + introduce self + 1 Peter series)

Dismiss 4^th + 5^th graders

Ushers + Bibles (1 Peter 2; page 1204)

The passage we are about to study is a beautiful unveiling of Peter’s beliefs about Jesus. He is going to make some powerful connections between the ministry of Jesus and the teaching of the Old Testament, as well as how these realities must shape our lives today. I fully expect the passage to be stretching for all of us, as it forces us out of our comfort zone while reminding us that Jesus has already gone before us and shown us the way. Our calling as Christians is to follow him, as we sang about last week, wherever he leads us and whatever it costs us. Are you willing to count the cost of following Jesus? This is something to consider as we study the passage today.

In order to set the context for what we’re about to read, I want to remind you of what we heard in verses 11-12 last week. Recall that these two verses serve as an introduction to the rest of this section (through 4:11). The twin themes in verses 11-12 were to abstain from the passions of the flesh and to live honorably among unbelievers by overflowing in doing good. Last week we heard one practical application of this teaching is by submitting to every human authority; today Peter is going to reveal how this applies in the master/slave relationship.

Over the next several sections of his letter, Peter is going to work through the different positions within a typical household in those days. He is adapting what was known as “household codes” from Roman and Greek culture to teach the truths of Christianity to each member of the household. This would have been very relatable to those under Roman rule, and it would have served some important purposes in helping Christianity be received by the Romans. Roman culture was very protective of both household structure and order. This was so important to them that they would oppose religions or practices that sought to undermine their ideals on the household. By writing this treatise on the household, Peter was demonstrating that Christianity was not seeking to undermine the order of the household. However, Peter does challenge the status quo by encouraging them to follow Jesus not pagan deities.

With this in mind, let’s read our text for today.

1 Peter 2:18–25 (ESV)

¹⁸ Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Now, you might hear teaching on the “master/slave relationship” and immediately go on the alert! Why would the Bible be talking about this? This was the societal norm of their day living under the rule of the Roman Empire. Household slaves were a regular part of society, and it wasn’t like the slavery that we often think of from our own nation’s history. This slavery was not based on race, and it wasn’t a means of economic oppression. In the Roman Empire it was possible for slaves to be more educated than their masters and they could have entered that relationship for a variety of reasons. By speaking to this issue, the Bible is not approving of slavery, but neither did Peter encourage these Christians to throw off the yolk of slavery. Rather, Peter is focused on addressing those who were considered the lowest member of the household. He is giving them wise counsel on how they can glorify God in their situation, while proclaiming the excellencies of God who rescued them from darkness into the light. Peter is equipping them to live out their identity and purpose in their present circumstances!

Now, you might logically move to the next thought of, “Well, what does this have to do with me? I’m not a 1^st century slave!” Good question. To answer it, I want to share a very helpful summary from Commentator Karen Jobes:

Peter points to the slave, who was most vulnerable in Greco-Roman society, as a paradigm for the Christian believer who follows Jesus Christ. Because of their Christian commitment, Peter’s readers may have been facing a loss of status and empowerment in their society. The slave had the lowest social status and least power and so is a fitting role model for this situation. Moreover, regardless of their social standing, as Christians they are to live as slaves to God, obeying him in every aspect of life (2:16).

Peter recognizes that Jesus Christ, God’s very Son, was the Suffering Servant (i.e., slave) of Isa. 53, who submitted to unjust suffering in order to serve God’s plan of redemption. His suffering provides the example that all Christians are to follow. Therefore, Peter begins to address the issue of commendable behavior in society’s most basic unit, the household, by first addressing the Christian household slave before turning to the Christian wife and finally to the Christian husband as head of the household. (BECNT)

This summary really ties this section of Peter’s letter together in our thinking. As slaves or servants of God, we have much to learn from Peter’s counsel to the household slave of his day. We especially have much to learn from the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ! He has once again led the way and set the example for us in this matter. In our time together today, our aim is…

Following Christ’s example in submitting to unjust authorities

Let’s start with what we find in verses 18-19. By way of reminder, here is what these verses said:

1 Peter 2:18–19 (ESV)

¹⁸ Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

From this, we hear the call to…

1. Submit even to unjust authorities

Just as we saw last week in verse 13, the primary command is to submit or “be subject”. In this case it is directed at household servants in their relationship with their masters. But notice the nuance Peter puts on this command. “Submit… not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” He is specifically drawing attention to their response to unjust or unrighteous authorities. Consider their historical context again. These were 1^st century Christians, likely new converts from some other pagan religion of the Romans or the Greeks, and, as household servants, they were also in a position of low social status.

As I mentioned last week, Christians were already looked at with contempt or scorn by the Romans. This would only have been intensified for those who were in the slave role. Now they occupy two distinct positions in the world that were not esteemed and were quite vulnerable. Certainly, many experienced ungodly treatment at the hands of their household masters. This may have shown up in mocking or slander or very likely attempts to force them to worship the master’s gods, as that was the expectation of both slaves and women in the household. Historic writings by Roman men like Seneca record the reality of unjust treatment that occurred in the master/slave relationship. Seneca wrote public criticism of overly harsh masters, yet he did not speak against the institution of slavery itself.

It is evident that Peter’s focus was not on changing a household slaves’ immediate situation but rather helping them to live honorably among unbelievers for the glory of God and the potential salvation of their master. This might come as a shock to us, as we often have the view that if our situation is undesirable, we should do whatever it takes to change or improve it. Peter’s focus is on helping suffering Christians to suffer well and to honor God in their suffering.

As we have seen, Peter appeals to the example of Jesus with the Jewish/Roman authorities as our model to follow. We’ll dig into that soon enough, but before we do, let us consider how this scenario already applies to us.

Have you ever had to submit to an unjust authority? Do you think it could be possible in the future? Most definitely. The most likely scenario is an unjust boss or, for the ladies, an unjust husband, or perhaps an unjust father. It is quite possible that you could be treated poorly, either for your Christian faith and practice or simply because they are being selfish, sinful authorities. What would you do in that situation? Peter would call you to submit to them, as long as it is not contradicting the commands of your greater authority, God.

Why would you submit? As verse 19 said, “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.” You submit because you are focused on God. You submit because your life is oriented around pleasing him. Even if the person you’re submitting to is unjust and currently seems unworthy of such respect. A Christian is not to be focused on the worthiness of the authority but rather the worthiness of their God. Because God is so great and perfect, I can, with his help/grace, submit to my imperfect, unjust earthly authority. This is even more powerful when the reasons for your suffering are because of your faith in God. Remember, these household slaves invited increased scrutiny by deviating from worshiping their master’s gods to worship the Christian God.

This question of “why would you submit” also ties into what Peter has already taught in chapter 2 in verses 12 and 15-16.

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)

¹² Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:15–16 (ESV)

¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

You…

2. Submit for the sake of God’s glory

Submit so that unbelievers might have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ. There was power in the testimony of a Christian slave who did not retaliate but simply continued loving his master. I shared the story of Bassam again last week, how powerful were his words after being brutally beaten by his brother-in-law? “I love you. My Lord tells me to forgive.” How could you not be moved by those words? They are full of grace and mercy. In that situation of intense suffering, Bassam radiates the glory of God! And, as you heard, his family and community took notice. God used that to draw more Muslims to himself.

How do you think God is going to save people? Will it be through household slaves rising up to overthrow their masters and implementing societal reform in Roman culture? Or will it be through the ongoing fruit of a life transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ?

The testimony of Scripture is that it will be the latter. God rescues and redeems people by grace and transforms them into the image of his Son by grace. And then he uses those individuals, who are daily living by grace to reach other lost souls who need a Savior. His plan provides hope for people of any class in society. By following Jesus, you can influence others for Christ! As you choose to submit to your unjust masters for the sake of God’s glory, he will use that to accomplish his will. Which may be the salvation of the unjust master or the reformation of society.

So, if your boss is an unjust man/woman, or your husband is an unjust leader of your home, or your dad was/is an unjust father… your response matters. If you are a Christian, you have the freedom from sin to choose to live in a way that does good to this unjust authority in your life. You can live in such a way that demonstrates you are trusting the Lord in your situation. You can return good for evil. You can pray for them. You can use your words and actions to build them up. If you do so, you glorify God by your choices, and perhaps God will use that to rescue your unjust authority from their own sin.

However, if you choose to respond tit for tat and to get even or to curse/slander them, you have responded in the flesh. This is not glorifying God nor is it going to help in reaching this person for Christ. We must realize that our choices as Christians matter. Even when you’re the one in the position of vulnerability! Unjust treatment does not justify ungodly responses. We must be more concerned about the glory of God and good of this person than getting even.

Now, this is not intended to be a full-fledged teaching for abusive situations. Please do not hear me saying, “Just suck it up and deal with it. No matter what you’re going through.” That’s not what I’m saying. That’s not what Peter is saying. It is wise and appropriate to seek counsel and help if you’re in an abusive situation. However, as a Christian, your response matters. Choose to respond in a way that is doing good to others and glorifies God. Also, as we’ve heard in verses 19-20…

3. Submit because God blesses you

Twice we heard Peter say, “It is a gracious thing in the sight of God” in relation to enduring suffering for doing good. What does that mean? Our answer is aided by the word “credit” in verse 20. Peter is saying that God credits or accounts grace to you when you live this way. How incredible is that? God knows what you’re going through, and he sees/hears your responses and blesses you for godly submission. We see a similar teaching from Jesus in the Gospel of Luke:

Luke 6:32–36 (ESV)

³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ 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.

³⁵ 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. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

God blesses those who love their enemies and do good to them. And the primary reward is what Peter started off his letter rejoicing in – the future grace of eternal life. That’s what Jesus holds out here in Luke. “You will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” When you do good to those who oppose you, you are living just like your heavenly Father! You are giving evidence of being his adopted sons/daughters! This is also the hope held out by Jesus in the sermon on the mount in Matthew:

Matthew 5:10–12 (ESV)

¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Through your ongoing faith in Jesus, which is evidenced now in your submission to unjust masters, you have the hope of the kingdom of heaven. You can know that your reward will be great, as God stores up grace for you. This is the same kind of teaching we heard in 1 Peter 1:3-9. It also comes up again later in the letter in chapter 4:

1 Peter 4:14 (ESV)

¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

But please take note of the requirements for honorable suffering in 4:14 and 2:20:

1 Peter 2:20 (ESV)

²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

Suffer for the name of Christ. Don’t suffer as one who does evil. That is not pleasing to God, nor is it blessed by him. If you’re instigating conflict with your authority, if you’re being disrespectful and sinful towards them and it is inviting blowback into your life, that is not the kind of suffering that God blesses! So, make sure you take time to evaluate what kind of suffering you are enduring and the root causes for it. If it has to do with your sinful choices, words, or behavior, then confess and repent of that. If it is because of your faith in Jesus, then cry out to God for his grace to endure and glorify him.

This sounds really hard, doesn’t it? Absolutely it is. We’re not talking about situations that are enjoyable or a walk in the park. Peter is writing to people who are SUFFERING. This is a hard calling! But it is the calling of a Christian. Which brings us to our final takeaway in following Christ’s example in submitting to unjust authorities…

4. Submit to fulfill your calling as a Christian

This stems from the rest of our passage for today, verses 21-25. If you recall, it began with “For to this you have been called…” Peter is saying that submitting while suffering unjustly is part and parcel of the Christian’s calling in life. This is how he designed it to be. Whoa. That’s a big conclusion to arrive at. Let’s re-read the text again to hear it.

1 Peter 2:21–25 (ESV)

²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Verse 21 lays it out very clearly, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” The calling to submit to unjust authority stems from the example of Christ that we are to follow. This is what He did in his life and ministry! I learned something very helpful about the Greek word “example” that is used here. It was used to refer to the tracing of letters by children as they learn how to write. Just this week our family resumed school and our younger kids have been working on this skill. Tracing their letters and numbers – why? So, they might produce an exact copy.

When Peter says Jesus is our example to follow, he is saying that Jesus is the paradigm for our life and ministry. Our goal is to be like Christ. We want to accurately represent and reflect him. To be conformed to his image. Another name for a Christian is a follower of Christ. Repeatedly, throughout his life and ministry, Jesus called people to “follow him” or walk in the same way he walked.

We’re not talking about getting kind-of close to what Jesus was like or intended for his people. We are talking about sitting at his feet through his Word and learning how to be just like him! In this case, we are learning how to be servants of God while suffering. Again, Karen Jobes offers valuable insight:

If Christians are to live as servants of God (2:16), the essence of that identity is a willingness to suffer unjustly as Jesus did, exemplifying in suffering the same attitude and behavior he did. Jesus Christ left us this pattern over which we are to trace out our lives, in order that we might follow in his footsteps. This is a strong image associating the Christian’s life with the life of Christ. For one cannot step into the footsteps of Jesus and head off in any other direction than the direction he took, and his footsteps lead to the cross, through the grave, and onward to glory. (BECNT)

What do you make of that? Is this what you signed up for when you professed faith in Jesus Christ? Did you realize the cost of following him? I am afraid that so many have not truly understood what it means to follow Christ. That it will cost us everything in this life, but we have the hope of eternal life and the joy of being in the glory and presence of our Creator in the New Heaven and New Earth. It is a cost worth counting.

Verses 21-25 are so profound in Peter’s letter. Peter, the one who had so vehemently protested against Jesus’ predictions of suffering, now understands why it was necessary for him to suffer. And he so beautifully preaches the suffering of Christ and connects it to both our salvation and our daily living, especially as we face unjust suffering. And the way he does this is by connecting Jesus’ example to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. (CHART – two graphics; I’ll tell when to switch)

Peter beautifully reveals how Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy from 700 years earlier. And he connects it with the call to action for Christians in verse 24 – “that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” Jesus has done an incredible thing by enduring unjust suffering. He has done what no one else could do… He bore the sins of many (our sins) on the tree (the Cross) so that we might forever be transformed from dead in sin to alive in Christ/righteousness. This is the great exchange that takes place when a person responds to the saving work of Jesus in their life – they are no longer dead but brought to new life. And now, their calling as a Christian involves their submission while suffering unjustly, just like Christ.

So, let’s close out our time thinking about what that would look like in our lives. There are four ideas that I want to draw upon from the text:

• Submit peacefully and in holiness (without sin/deceit/reviling/threatening)

Jesus’ example is a tall order for us as men and women who struggle with sin. Yes, we’ve been redeemed and we’re free from sin’s enslavement, but we know that temptation is ever crouching at our door, ready to pounce! It will require much prayer and humility to refrain from sin and ungodly speech when we’re suffering unjustly. But what a beautiful picture of Christ it will be if we respond this way!

Ask God to help you submit peacefully and in holiness when you’re facing unjust suffering. Pray often about it. You know Jesus was frequent in prayer, especially as his final hours drew near. Why would we be any less fervent in our prayer? If we know that this is our calling and we know that it will be a great struggle, then certainly the need for prayer is great! “Lord, help me to respond to those who treat me sinfully with mercy and grace. May I be like you in this… promoting peace and holiness rather than dissension and sin.

You probably don’t know this, but in October, after we finish up 1 Peter, we’ll be doing a month-long study called “Blessed are the Peacemakers”. It will be a study of the topics of biblical communication and conflict resolution. I’m looking forward to studying this in more depth because they are such important matters in our lives, and it is paramount that we handle them well if we’re going to be holy as he is holy.

But let’s move on to the next way to live this out…

• Submit by entrusting yourself to the Just Judge (God the Father)

Entrust is a powerful word and concept. It means to hand something over, in this case to God the Father, the Just Judge. In Jesus’ example he handed over himself, meaning every area of his life, perhaps especially his response to his enemies given what we’re discussing. Jesus actively handed all of this over to the Father and trusted him with it. He did not try to take it into his own hands or do anything different from what the Father would have done. Jesus trusted that God would judge justly on the last day.

Later in his letter, Peter will make this call to action more explicit for us:

1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Could it be any clearer? As you are actively living out your faith and overflowing in doing good to others, you will suffer, and, in that suffering, you are to entrust your soul to your faithful Creator. Let your submission to unjust authority be informed by your trust in your faithful Creator. As you entrust yourself to him day-by-day, interaction-by-interaction, you will find the grace needed to continue doing good to those who oppose you.

“BUT THAT SOUNDS REALLY HARD!” You’re right, it is, which is why our next takeaway is so essential.

• Submit as new creations (dead to sin/alive to righteousness)

If your faith is in Christ, then you are not the same sinful man or woman that you used to be. You are made new, and you can live righteously in the face of suffering! Consider how confidently Paul speaks to those who have been transformed by God’s grace:

Romans 6:12–14 (ESV)

¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. ¹³ Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Paul assumes that because you have been made new in Christ, you are able to live righteously. You have a choice in how you respond in life! Choose to present your body/speech/thoughts to God as instruments for righteousness. Who knows, God may use you as an ambassador of Jesus to rescue and redeem the very person(s) responsible for your suffering! Just like Bassam! What a blessing that would be!

Finally…

• Submit as those who have been rescued/redeemed by their Shepherd/Overseer

Remember that you too were once lost and wandering far from God. Allow that to produce humility and compassion towards the person who is against you. Recognize that what they need most is to be rescued by the Chief Shepherd and Overseer of their soul. Allow that realization to drive your interactions with said person. Tell them about Jesus, call them to turn to Jesus, be an ambassador for Jesus in your own words/thoughts/actions. Jesus is seeking out his sheep, and perhaps your response to unjust suffering will be used by him to call one of them to himself… Don’t forget, Jesus died so that you might live to righteousness in these ways.

Whew… not an easy calling, is it? There is so much more I’d like to say about this passage. I may have to come back to it again in future sermons. It is so rich and loaded with truth for us to consider and digest. I would highly recommend parking in this text throughout the week to continue to let it saturate your heart and mind. Ask God how it should change you in the situation you find yourself in. May we all be a people who are willing to submit while suffering unjustly for the sake of our authority’s salvation, our own growth in holiness, and the glory of God.

Let’s pray.

Pray