There were as many as 60 million slaves in the 1st century in the Roman world. What does the Bible have to say about slavery, and especially, about the Christian slaves’ relationship to his master. Find out in this study!
Teaching Notes:
The Christian Servant’s Relationship To His Master
1 Peter 2:18-23
We are in the midst of a section in 1 Peter in which Peter is urging his readers to live godly lives before a watching world (2:12). Peter is exhorting believers according to their various relationships.
- He addresses believers as aliens in relation to this world: 2:11-12
- He addresses believers as citizens in relation to government: 2:13-17
- He addresses believers as servants in relation to masters: 2:18-25
This passage brings up the subject of slavery. Slavery was a very prevalent practice in the 1st century. Scholars estimate that there were as many as 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire. In the early years of Rome, there were few slaves, but as the Roman Empire began to expand by conquering other nations, she subjugated the prisoners of war as slaves. In Rome and other large cities, as many as 50% of the population were slaves. Slaves in that day and culture were much different than slaves in America prior to the Civil War. They did not perform only menial tasks. Many times, slaves were doctors, teachers, musicians, actors, secretaries and stewards. They were not allowed to marry, but they did cohabit. The children born were the property of the master.
Arthur Repprecht describes the status of a slave in the Roman Empire: “The living conditions of many slaves were better than those of free men who often slept in the streets of the city or lived in very cheap rooms. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the slaves lived within the confines of their master’s house. They usually lived on the top floor of their owner’s city house or country villa. In Pliny’s Laurentian villa the quarters for the slaves and freedmen were in a separate section of the house, but were considered attractive enough to be used for the entertainment of overnight guests. The slave was not inferior to the free men of similar skills in regard to food and clothing. That most slaves in Rome were as well dressed as free men is indicated in an unusual way. Seneca stated that legislation was introduced in the Senate that slaves should be required to wear a type of clothing that would distinguish them from free men.”
Interestingly, New Testament writers did not condemn slavery, but neither did they commend it. They simply accepted it as a fact of life in their society, while regulating it according to godly principles. They urged masters to treat slaves with justice, kindness and brotherly love, while reminding them that slave owners as well as slaves had a master in heaven.
It is significant that the New Testament gives more instructions to servants than to kings. Peter, here, writes to servants, but not to masters. In fact, Peter focuses almost all of his energy writing to those who are to do the submitting, not the ones submitted to. He gives 6 verses for the wife, and only 1 for the husband.
Many Christians in the early church were servants. In fact, some have speculated that most of the church were made up of servants. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 indicate that most believers came from the lower classes of society.
Tonight we are going to look at 3 aspects of the Christian Servant: his responsibility, his motive, and his example.
1. The Servant’s Responsibility:
A. Be Submissive: this word means “to yield, to rank yourself under.” Christian servants were not to rebel, gripe, complain, or retaliate. What form did that submission take? Verse 19 mentions the servant “bearing up under sorrows when suffering unjustly”, and verse 20 says, “if you do what is right and suffer for it you, yet patiently endure it.” The submission in verse 18 seems to be speaking of a submission to suffering at the hands of the Master, not just doing what they tell you to do. It is a submission which involves non-retaliation. The phrase “harshly treated” in verse 20 is the same Greek word translated in Mt. 26:67 as “beat Him with their fists.” Evidently, the harsh treatment spoken of here refers to a physical beating a master would give a servant.
B. Masters: the Greek word is “despotes” from which we get our English word “despot.” This master had absolute ownership and uncontrolled power. His servants were not considered people with rights, but living tools, things. Peter mentions 2 kinds of Masters:
1) Good and gentle: some masters were kind, gracious, and generous. They had their servant’s best interests at heart and loved them as part of their extended family. They took care of them well.
2) Unreasonable: that word means “harsh, perverse, or crooked.” In verse 20 Peter speaks of some servants who are “harshly treated.” Some masters were harsh, unkind, unloving, and cruel. The Biblical responsibility toward masters remained the same, no matter whether they were good or evil. They were to submit to them.
2. The Servant’s Motive:
A. All Respect: the Greek word is “phobos” which means “fear.” Peter may be describing respect for our masters, or fear of God. He probably has in mind “with all fear of God.” In the next verse he speaks of submitting “for the sake of conscience toward God.” In 2:17 Peter says, “fear God.” In 1:17 we read, “conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth.” Yes, the servant should be respectful toward his master, but he should do so because he fears God.
B. This Finds Favor with God: this is mentioned in both verse 19 and 20. In other words, this is favorable, pleasing, or approved by God. We could paraphrase it, “this is commendable before God.” God’s approval and pleasure in us should be worth more to us than our physical comfort and ease. But notice, it does not find favor with God if you endure suffering with patience because of your sin. Rather, the kind patient endurance under suffering that finds favor with God, is the kind that you receive because of doing what is right.
C. Conscience Toward God: this believer lives for God. His conscience tells him what God condemns and what He is pleased with.
D. Called for this Purpose: part of our motivation to patiently endure suffering is the knowledge that God has called us to it, and we want to righteously fulfill our calling. Compare 1 Peter 4:19.
3. The Servant’s Example:
A. Example to follow in His steps: the Greek word for “example” is “hupogramm.” In the 1st century, a hupogramm was a piece of with dark letters printed on it. Children would put a piece of paper over it, and trace the letters until they learned how to write them. Christ is our Original. We are to trace our lives over His. We are to follow in His steps. Like a child walking after his father, we are to try to put our feet down exactly where Christ put His down. Compare 1 John 2:6. When you face suffering for your faith, ask yourself, “how would Jesus face this suffering?”
B. Committed no sin: Peter here is quoting Isaiah 53. In fact, 1 Peter 2:21-25 is rich with imagery drawn from Isaiah 53. Jesus lived an absolutely sinless life from the cradle to the grave. Demons: “I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” (Luke 4:34). Pilate’s wife: “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man” (Mt.27:19. Pilate: “what evil has He done?” (Mt.27:23). Judas: “I have betrayed innocent blood!” (Mt.27:4). Centurion: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk.15:39). The Angel Gabriel: “the holy Child shall be called the Son of God (Lk.1:35). Apostles: “in Him there is no sin” (1Jn.3:5). God the Father: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased!” (Mt.3:17). Jesus: “Which of you convicts Me of sin” (Jn.8:46). This is all the more impressing when you consider that Peter lived with Jesus for 3 years. You might someone is really a righteous person, but wait to form your judgment until you ask his wife and children what he is really like!
C. Nor was any deceit found in His mouth: Jesus was always honest. He never shaded the truth. He was always up front – what you saw was what you got. He never failed in deeds or words. James tells us that sinlessness in speech is the mark of perfection (James 3:2), and Jesus was sinless in His speech.
D. He Did Not Revile in Return: Jesus’ enemies said He was possessed with a demon; he was called a Samaritan, a glutton, a drunkard, a blasphemer, that Satan was working through Him, a perverter of the nation, and a deceiver of the people. Peter here is alluding to Isaiah 53:7. What reviling is Peter thinking about? “Hail king of the Jews. Prophesy, who hit you? You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuilt it in 3 days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. He saved others, He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He takes pleasure in Him; for He said, I am the Son of God.”
E. He uttered no threats: think of the spitting, slapping, beating, scourging, insults, mockery, carrying cross, crown of thorns, spikes, spear. Yet Christ didn’t threaten His murderers with future judgment in which God would take vengeance. Instead, He prayed for their forgiveness.
F. He Kept Entrusting Himself To Him Who Judges Righteously: kept entrusting is in the present tense, which denotes ongoing, continuous activity. Jesus, in His hour of greatest suffering and need, committed Himself to God. He left the judgment of wicked men to God. He didn’t take it upon Himself to retaliate. In this way, He is to be our example. Look at Romans 12:19-21. We too, are to leave judgment and vengeance to God. One day all the wrongs will be made right. We can trust God to take care of us and our persecutors.
Application: this section in 1 Peter teaches workers to be submissive to their employers, whether they are good or evil; whether they treat us right or wrong. When they treat us wrongly, we are to bear up under sorrows, or lash out, but to patiently endure it. This doesn’t mean we can’t appeal to our supervisors about this unjust treatment, but we must never take it upon ourselves to get revenge. We must never lose our Christian testimony because of our temper, or use angry words. When we are reviled, we must not revile in return. When we suffer, we must not utter threats. Instead, we must seek not to deceive with our mouth or sin with our lives. We must keep Jesus’ example before us at all times. All of us at one time or another have had mean, cruel bosses who have mistreated us, so this teaching is very practical.
1. Have you had an unreasonable boss at some time? How did you respond?
2. Should a Christian participate in strikes, walk-outs, protests or work insurrections?
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