Daily Scripture Reading 1Peter 2:18 - 3:12
Humans generally do not want to obey authority. Wives often find it difficult to submit to their husbands. There is a tendency for people to justify their disobedience or non-submission by pointing out all the flaws of those in authority.
However, Peter commanded both servants and wives to submit even when it is hard, even when their master or husband does not deserve to be obeyed. Peter not only commanded us to obey when it is hard, he listed the benefit of obeying when it is difficult to do so.
At the end of the passage we read yesterday, Peter commanded us to be subject to every human institution. This includes, but is not limited to, all levels of government.
1Pet. 2:18 ¶ Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are crooked.
Look at the word “servants”. Peter commanded servants to be subject to their masters. Notice the words “not only”. There were no exceptions to the command to be subject. Even harsh, crooked masters were to be obeyed.
This verse is specifically talking about servants, but it fits an overall concept in the Bible that humans need to obey authority even when it is difficult, even when the person in authority doesn’t deserve it. It is natural for humans to only want to obey those who are good or who have earned respect, but the Bible does not give us that option. We have to obey even when it is hard.
Having said all that, we have to obey God first and foremost, so if a master tells a servant to do something that is contrary to what God commanded us, then the servant needs to obey God, not their earthly master.
1Pet. 2:19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unrighteously.
1Pet. 2:20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it, you endure, this finds favor with God.
Ponder the path to finding favor with God. Obeying when it is easy does not impress God. However, obeying God when it is hard does find favor with God. Obeying an honorable master is easy. Obeying a harsh and dishonest master is not easy, but it is more praiseworthy.
1Pet. 2:21 ¶ For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps,
1Pet. 2:22 WHO DID NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
1Pet. 2:23 who being reviled, was not reviling in return; while suffering, He was uttering no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.
Just as Christ allowed Himself to be mistreated, we as Christians must accept mistreatment if that is the lot in life that God gave us.
1Pet. 2:24 Who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that having died to sin, we might live to righteousness; by His WOUNDS YOU WERE HEALED.
1Pet. 2:25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1Pet. 3:1 ¶ In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
1Pet. 3:2 as they observe your pure conduct with fear.
Look at the phrase “In the same way” in verse 1. Just as servants were to obey their masters even when their master was crooked and hard to obey, so too wives need to submit to their husbands even if he doesn’t deserve it. Wives are commanded to use good conduct to win over their husbands.
1Pet. 3:3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on garments;
1Pet. 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible quality of a lowly and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
1Pet. 3:5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands,
1Pet. 3:6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children if you do good, NOT FEARING ANY INTIMIDATION.
1Pet. 3:7 ¶ You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Notice the phrase “in an understanding way”. That wording comes across as a command that husbands should always be kind, agreeable, and accommodating. However, the Greek phrase literally means “according to knowledge”. In other words each husband should know his wife’s strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly. If she needs encouragement, he should encourage her. If she needs corrected, he should correct her.
1Pet. 3:8 ¶ Now to sum up, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, brotherly, tender-hearted, and humble in spirit;
1Pet. 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but giving a blessing instead, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
This verse repeats a central teaching of Jesus that we should not seek revenge. We should not mistreat those who mistreat us. We should “kill” our tormentors with kindness.
1Pet. 3:10 For,
“THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS,
MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
1Pet. 3:11 HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD;
HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
1Pet. 3:12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
This is a quote from Psalm 34:12-16.
Overall, people do not like submitting to authority. Children do not want to obey their parents. Wives do not want to submit to their husbands. Citizens do not want to obey the government. Humans do not want to serve God. However, the Bible commands us to do all those things, even when it is hard, especially if it is hard.
Peter also reminds us that obeying authority when it is difficult earns favor with God; whereas, obeying when it is easy does not draw praise from our Creator.
What are some occasions when you disobeyed authority and used the excuse that the person in authority did not deserve to be obeyed?
What is an area of your life where you need to make some changes so that you are obedient to the Bible’s commands to be subject to those in authority?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”