Study of First
Peter Chapter 2 Lesson 33
Peter first addresses the
situation of Christians working under the authority of others. Then uses Christ's life as
an example of dealing with UNDSF.
Believe that Peter addressed servants but not masters
here because he was addressing a social situation in which some of his readers
were household servants but few, if any, were masters.
slaves = oikethsj refers to domestic, household; these were often well educated, the tutored
the children and really held a high position in the household
be
submissive hupotassw (pres
mid ptc) imperatival ptc
- the
middle voice reminds us that the submission is by your own choice, this is not
coerced at all
What is our mental attitude to be
towards this master?
with all respect en + the instrumental
of means pasj fobosj fear/respect
- the
idea here is that we're to have respect for the boss, and his authority
- As believers we are to be
motivated by reverence for God and concerned not to displease Him by failing to
do our duty as Christians in the present relationship.
There are 4 other passages that deal with this principle
of submission to authority in this category of master/slave or boss/employee.
Eph 6:5-7;
Next Peter covers two
categories of masters, the good and the unreasonable.
not only to those who are good and gentle,
Now the other side of the
coin
but also to those who are unreasonable.
unreasonable skolios j was used of roads being bent or crooked
- The point here is that
regardless of which category the boss falls under, the just, fair, compassionate or the
one who is totally unreasonable the command applies. Be respectful and submit to the
authority. If you can't get out!
For this finds favor, touto gar for this refers to
the believers authority orientation whether to the good boss or the
unreasonable one.
- their response, application of
truth under pressure demonstrates to others that they are indeed Christians and
that God is pleased by it.
if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up
under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
This is coupled with suffering unjustly temporal participle which describes what's happening during the
time your bearing up under this unjust suffering.
So what do we have here?
A believer, a servant type in the context, who is under UNDSF, facing a
pressure test of some kind that is totally not deserved, has done nothing wrong
that the boss should have been criticizing him.
Stays consistent with the N&S of his conscience,
applies that known truth to the situation and actually produces DGP that will
be rewarded at the JSC.
For what credit is there if when you sin kle,oj as a good reputation
credit, honor, praise
Then he sets up the hypothetical but real situation if
when you sin a`marta,nw
In the first hypothetical the individual did something
wrong and was severely treated but endured it patiently.
and
are harshly treated, kolafizw (pres. pass. ptc.)
literally, as beating or striking with the fist
box on the ear, to cuff, or buffet
The response is given next, u`pome,nw (Fut. act.
So what Peter is asking at this point is there any
credit, any honor or praise to the individual?
More to the point,
Does it produce any divine good? Anything to be
rewarded at the JSC? NO!!
Now the second situation is presented. Once
again a hypothetical case.
but (alla) if when you do what is right and suffer for it
The idea is that patiently enduring undeserved suffering
as viewed by God is grace, that is, it results in DGP.
Summary of 2:18-20
1. In this paragraph Peter presents another common
situation that demands authority orientation, the master - servant or today the
employer - employee.
2. He reminds us that we will find employers that are
good and some that are unreasonable, harsh and unfair.
3. Peter presents 2 examples to make his point that we
are to stay focused and produce divine good irregardless of how we are treated
on the job. Where is the credit from God's standpoint he's asking.
4. If we know what is right and do and suffer for it,
UNDSF, this Peter reminds us in 2:20b finds favor/grace with God. That is your producing divine good.
5. What about the person who fails on the job, sins and
then patiently endures the suffering which is deserved? Is there credit, grace
for that one? NO!
6. In both cases they patiently endured the suffering.
7. But only the one who meets the test, the suffering
with application of truth produces divine good, (DGP) and receives credit or
grace from God.
8. The objective for the advancing believer in f2 is to
produce maximum divine so that we are able to stand irreprehensible before
Christ at the JSC.
9. We should live our lives in the light of JSC, that is consistent with what will bring glory to Christ. This is a major thrust of Peter and the reason for all the commands and exhortations, the practical application to provide us the divine operating assets (DOA's).