There is a popular genre of literature known as “The ‘Get Even’ Books.” These are books that help readers exact revenge upon their enemies or “get even” with those who have hurt them. Sound like a book you may want to read?
John Jackson has written one such book entitled, The Black Book of Revenge. The subtitle reads: The Complete Manual of Hardcore Dirty Tricks and Schemes. On the book cover or inside the book is a description of its contents:
How to satisfy your lust for revenge, get justice, or even the score with anyone who has ever made your life miserable. This book graphically illustrates methods actually used by people who have had all they can take and turn to their own resources for justice. You’ll find out how to obtain information on your target, the “art” of blackmail and its uses. With illustrations of homemade devices as well as instructions on how to use them, this is the best of the “get even” books.
Now if that title interests you, you may also be interested in acquiring, Spite, Malice, and Revenge: The Complete Guide to Getting Even (3 Diabolical Volumes in One). The book promises “376 dirty tricks that will stimulate your imagination and help you find the perfect gift for the special someone who has taken everything from you. Learn how to wreak revenge against all those people who make your life miserable.”
I suspect that there is something within many of us that may drive us to page through one of these books. In a world where it is common for people to return evil for evil and in a fallen society that naturally engenders spite, malice, and revenge, such little manuals find a niche in the market. Nobody wants to be insulted, hurt, or wronged. Everyone wants justice…
But Wait!
What does the Bible teach about suffering injustices? How does the Christian live as a “pilgrim” or a “sojourner” in this world? That’s largely what this passage is all about: “When Suffering Wrongly.” You could add the subtitle: “How to take it on the chin when you’ve done nothing to deserve it.”
Here’s our text: 1 Peter 2:18-23
While Peter is addressing servants in general, his teaching provides all Christians with helpful pointers about what to do when suffering unjustly.
Expect to Suffer (verses 18-20)
We’ve seen this before in 1 Peter. You’ll remember Peter’s opening the letter with praise to God for His salvation, reminding us to rejoice in this salvation when undergoing trials. Recall Chapter 1 and verse 6: “In this (this salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.” This theme of suffering recurs a few times later in 1 Peter, including in our passage today.
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. (verse 18)
Before we talk about servants submitting to their masters, it is important that we talk just a moment about servants–or slaves (as the NIV has it)–in 1st Century New Testament times.
It is supremely helpful that we not think of slavery in New Testament times as we think of slavery in American antebellum times; an utterly horrid practice that demeaned human beings created in the image of God.
Slavery in New Testament times was not based upon race. In addition, while slaves in American Civil War times were discouraged from receiving an education, many slaves in the New Testament era were highly educated, some better educated than their masters. And there are other differences, as well. One commentator, drawing upon the Oxford Classical Dictionary writes this:
Although mistreatment of slaves could occur…it must be remembered that 1st-century slaves were generally well treated and were not only unskilled laborers but often managers, overseers, and trained members of the various professions (doctors, nurses, teachers, musicians, skilled artisans). There was extensive Roman legislation regulating the treatment of slaves. They were normally paid for their services and could expect eventually to purchase their freedom.
Oxford Classical Dictionary, page 995; as per Wayne Grudem, 1 Peter.
But, of course, this does not make slavery as an institution right. The Bible certainly prohibits the trafficking of individuals and the Bible nowhere endorses slavery as something desirable. So, while slavery existed in both Old and New Testament times, one will never find a verse where God endorses the practice.
We must remember that biblical writers address readers in their historical and cultural settings. It is not the purpose of Peter’s letter to call for overthrow of slavery as an institution. Such a call would have failed miserably as the overwhelming majority of people in the Graeco-Roman world supported slavery and, if a tiny minority of people called Christians attempted to overthrow the institution, the attempt would likely have proven disastrous.
We must also remember that the gospel does not concern itself primarily with social overhaul. Rather, the gospel addresses sinful individuals who stand before a holy God, proclaiming their need for reconciliation through the atonement of Christ. Ultimate social change and social overhaul on a larger scale occurs through the personal life change of individuals.
Of course, not all slaves in New Testament times were treated respectfully. Many were, in fact, mistreated and even beaten. Yet Peter says in verse 18, “Servants, be submissive to your masters…not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.” There were “harsh” masters. The word describes masters who were “morally evil,” and suggests “not only physical mistreatment but also dishonesty regarding pay, working conditions, expectations,” and so forth (Grudem, 1 Peter).
Yet again, just as in our previous post, Peter calls for humble submission to authority, even when we don’t agree with that authority. Unless commanded to sin personally, Christians are to submit to “every ordinance of man.”
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. (verse 19)
Peter says Christians may bear up under the pressure of suffering wrongfully when they remember their Lord. That’s what this phrase “if because of conscience toward God” seems to mean. The ESV has “when mindful of God” or “conscious of God” (NIV). In other words, servants can bear up under the pain of injustice remembering that God is there. God sees everything and He will honor our submission to authority.
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (verse 20)
Look closely at the first part of verse 20, “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?” In other words, “If you behave poorly or disrespectfully, there is no glory in your suffering. In fact, you very likely deserved it.”
But–second part of verse 20–“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” God honors your faithful submission when you submit to authority. He honors your submission, especially when suffering wrongfully.
Peter suggests that when Christians suffer for doing good that God will reward them. It’s similar to our Lord’s teaching elsewhere:
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
LUke 6:34-35
While Peter has in mind specifically those who are servants, this teaching of submission carries implications for citizens submitting to their political leaders, employees submitting to their employers, students submitting to their teachers, and any other area where one is called to live under the authority of another.
But again, expect to suffer. Verses 18-20 teach that followers of Christ should not be surprised when they are mistreated by others.
Follow Your Example (verses 21-23)
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (verse 21)
If you need an example of how to behave when submitting to authority, look to Jesus. Peter uses Jesus as an example of how the Christian should behave when bearing up under injustices. The Christian is to be like His Lord; to be like Christ, to look like Jesus.
How did Christ behave when suffering? Peter tells us:
“Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth” (verse 22)
That’s a quote from Isaiah 53:9: “He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.”
Peter continues:
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (verse 23)
Look again at that last part of verse 23: He, “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
Here’s the key: when Christ suffered wrongfully, He continued entrusting Himself, as well as those who who mistreated Him, entirely to God. He knew that God, the Father, always does what is right. He knew that the Father would make all things right in the end.
When you suffer injustice follow your example; follow Jesus.
Do you remember how the Roman authorities had stripped Christ of His clothing and beaten Him to within an inch of His life? Do you remember how they nailed His hands and feet to a wooden cross? Do you remember how He bled as they hurled their insults at Him? Do you remember how He suffered? Yet, “when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (verse 23). He had said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Remember Your Motivation (verse 21)
Peter is providing more than just general teachings of morality. He’s not simply saying, “Be a good person when you suffer” or “Don’t exact revenge upon those who hurt you.”
Those statements sound nice, but you could get that message just about anywhere. You could get the teachings of “Be good and don’t treat others badly” in Judaism or Islam or popular psychology or daytime TV shows. Peter doesn’t merely say, “Follow Christ’s example.” He doesn’t even say, “Christ suffered leaving us an example.” That’s just morality.
Look more closely at verse 21, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example.”
“For us”
Here is the theological underpinning that motivates our morality. It is the doctrine of the atonement: Christ also suffered for you. He died for you. Christ died in your place.
So, how are Christians empowered to bear up under injustice? By remembering what Jesus Christ did for them.
Remember He died for your sins. He took the punishment you deserved. He treated you not as you deserved to be treated, but He treated you with mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.
The atonement is your motivation.
The atonement makes bearing up under injustice possible and reminds us why it’s needful. Because Christ has extended mercy, compassion, and forgiveness toward you, you will treat others with mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. You owe it to God and you owe it to others. And you will do so because you are not of this world. You are a pilgrim, a sojourner, a guest of this world.
So you’ll not do as the world does. You’ll not do what your fallen nature tells you to do: Defend yourself! Fight! Don’t let false accusations stand! Get in the last word! Pummel your enemy!
No. You will expect to suffer. You will follow your example. And you will remember your motivation: “Christ suffered for us.”
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