SERVANTS, BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR MASTERS WITH ALL RESPECT: Oi oiketai hupotassomenoi (PPPMPN) en panti phobo tois despotais: (1Cor 7:21, Ep 6:5-7; Col 3:22-25; 1 Ti 6:1-3; Titu 2:9,10)

Servants (3610) (oiketes from oikos = house) means one who lives in the same house as another and then household slaves or domestic servants not as strongly servile as doulos. Many of these household or domestic slaves were well educated and held responsible positions in the households. Many of them were doctors, teachers, musicians, actors and stewards over great estates.

The oiketes or household slave describes one who generally holds closer relations to the family than other slaves. He is one of the household of the “family” and yet to promote order he too is called by Peter to submit to those in authority.

Oiketes  is used 4 times in the NASB and is always translated as servant or servants.

In the first NT use of oiketes, Jesus teaches that

No servant (oiketes) can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Lu 16:13)

Paul writes that each believer is an oiketes of the Lord and therefore has no right to sit in judgment as if we were the master:

Who are you to judge the servant (oiketes) of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand." (see note Romans 14:4)

Here is the other NT use of oiketes...

Acts 10:7 And when the angel who was speaking to him had departed, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were in constant attendance upon him,

Oiketes is used 36 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Ge 9:25; 27:37; 44:16, 33; 50:18; Exod. 5:15f; 12:44; 21:26f; 32:13; Lev. 25:39, 42, 55; Num. 32:5; Deut. 5:15; 6:21; 15:15, 17; 16:12; 24:18, 20, 22; 34:5; Jos. 5:14; 9:8, 11; Prov. 13:13; 17:2; 19:10; 22:7; 29:19, 21; 30:10, 22; Isa. 36:9)

By some accounts there were as many as 60 million slaves during the writing of 1Peter and the NT repeatedly gives more instructions to servants than to kings. (see doulos related word for "servant")

Trench adds that

Oiketes is often used as equivalent to doulos. It certainly is so in 1Peter 2:18; and hardly otherwise on the three remaining occasions on which it occurs in the NT... oiketes does not bring out and emphasize the servile relation so strongly as doulos does (but) rather contemplates that relation from a point of view calculated to mitigate, and which actually did tend very much to mitigate, its extreme severity. He is one of the household, of the ‘family,’ in the older sense of this word; not indeed necessarily one born in the house..." (Trench, R. C. Synonyms of the New Testament. Page 33)

Expositor's Bible Commentary adds that

It is difficult for twentieth-century Christians to understand the slavery of the ancient world. During the time of the NT writings, slavery was not as bad as that practiced in America before the Civil War. Ancient slaves had fairly normal marital lives. Often people sold themselves into slavery (for a period of time) as a way to get ahead in the world. Nevertheless the lot of a slave could be very hard if the master was unkind. (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing)

Be submissive (5293)  (hupotasso) (hupotasso from hupó = under + tássō = arrange in orderly manner) (Click for word study on hupotasso) (Click word study of hupotasso) means literally to place under in an orderly fashion and was a military term meaning “to arrange in order under” a commanding general and thus being subject to his orders. Submission is to a position of authority rather than to a person. Hupotasso means to be placed under in an orderly fashion (Click 1Peter 3:1 for more detail on "hupotasso").

Submission focuses not on personality but position. We need to see authority over us not acting on their own, but as instruments in the hand of God. If we look at people as acting on their own we will eventually become bitter, but if we can see them as acting as God allows, we will become holy. A beautiful example of this is found in the life of Joseph. His brothers consistently mistreated him and it would have been very easy for him to become bitter at them. Yet he had a divine perspective on the whole situation and it helped him become a holy man of God.

"And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." (Ge 50:20).

The present tense conveys the force of the imperative in this verse and calls for this to be the household slave's lifestyle or habitual action (submission) so as to ensure order in the household. Subjecting one’s self to another is the opposite of self assertion, the opposite of an independent, autocratic spirit. It is the desire to get along with one another, being satisfied with less than one’s due, a sweet reasonableness of attitude. This thought continues Peter's previous command for all believers to submit themselves "for the Lord's sake to every human institution" (1 Peter 2:13). This same motivation would (for the Lord's sake) would certainly apply to the institution of slavery and slaves to their masters. In summary, slaves saved by grace through faith were to cooperate, be loyal, and willingly obey their masters. Believers who were servants were not set free from serving their masters, but they were set free from slavery to sin (notes on Ro 6:17, 6:18-20, 1Cor 6:20). While their masters might not be Christians, that did not allow the servants to be disrespectful or lazy. They needed to remember that their ultimate Master was God himself (notes on Col 3:22-25)

Application: The problem of taking advantage of one's employers is still present with us. Some think that because their bosses are Christians, they have the right to slough off on the job. Peter is saying that God expects Christians to be the best workers a boss (master) could ever ask for. Christianity should make us more conscientious than others.

Masters (1203) (despotes; English = despot) means one who possesses undisputed ownership and absolute, unrestricted authority, so that the Greeks refused the title to any but the gods. The despotes was one who has legal control and authority over persons, such as slaves. In the NT despotes & kurios are used interchangeably of God, and of masters of servants. In Greek culture and terminology, servant and despótēs went together.

Despotes is used 10 times in the NASB (Lu; Acts; 2x in 1Ti; 2Ti; Titus; 1Pe; 2Pe; Jude; Rev) and is translated as: Lord, 3; Master, 3; masters, 4.

The English word despot often congers up a negative image of one who exercises power tyrannically, harshly or abusively, but the Biblical uses do not convey such a connotation.

Despotes is one who has legal control and authority over persons, such as subjects or slaves and was used especially as the ruler over a household.

TDNT summarizes the secular Greek uses of despotes:

"The first meaning is the domestic one of “owner.” This extends to the political sphere when an alien people takes over a land. The word thus acquires such varied nuances as

a. master of the house,
b. master as distinct from slave,
c. absolute ruler (equivalent to týrannos in Plato),
d. powerful divine being,
e. the Roman emperor, and
f. (astrologically) planet.

While the term expresses social rank or position, it is not one of status; hence the Jews can not only follow normal Greek usage but also link the term with God. In the Greek Bible, while strongly subordinate to kýrios, it appears some 56 times (25 times in direct address to God with a special emphasis on his omnipotence). God is kýrios because He is despótēs of all things (cf. Job 5:8ff.). Elsewhere in the LXX (Septuagint - Greek translation of the Hebrew OT) we find all the other nuances except a. and f., but these are less prominent compared to that for God." (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.  Eerdmans)

The first NT use was Simeon's thankful acknowledgment to the Father:

Now (now that the divine promise that he should see the Messiah before dying had been fulfilled) Lord (despotes), Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart In peace, according to Thy word; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation (the Messiah Who would make redemption possible for Jew and Gentile alike), which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples. (Lu 2:29-31)

In Acts, after their companions heard of the release of Peter and John from prison, the disciples did not ask God to deliver them from future persecution but instead,

when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord (O despotes, Absolute and Sovereign Master and Master), it is Thou Who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them... (Acts 4:24)

In this context we see the disciples using despotes as a reflection of God's sovereignty or control over Creation (and by implication over any opposition they might experience to the proclamation of the gospel).

Paul uses despotes to speak of human masters (over their slaves and servants) in passages that convey a parallel meaning to that of Peter. In first Timothy Paul writes

Let all who are under the yoke (colloquial expression describing submissive service under another’s authority, not necessarily describing an abusive relationship) as slaves regard their own masters (despotes) as worthy of all honor (give them due respect, work obediently and faithfully, and in general seek to be a help rather than a hindrance) so that (the great motive for diligent service for every believer involves the testimony of God and His glory) the name of God and our doctrine (the revelation of God summed up in the gospel) may not be spoken against. And let those who have believers as their masters (despotes) not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but let them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles." (1 Ti 6:1-2)

Paul and Peter are both conveying the foundational truth that how believers act while under the authority of another affects how people view the message of salvation Christians proclaim. Displaying a proper attitude of submission and respect, and performing quality work, help make the gospel message believable.

Paul writes

"Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters (despotes) in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,  not pilfering (steal stealthily in small amounts or things of small value and often again and again), but showing all good faith (truly loyal ,entirely reliable, faithful throughout) that they may adorn (be an ornament, to make attractive - used to describe how women make themselves attractive) the doctrine (teaching in context refers to an established body of teaching that is accepted as correct by the Christian community) of God our Savior in every respect." (see notes on Titus 2:9-10)

In explaining to Timothy the qualities that God expected in those He would use in His supernatural work, Paul writes

"therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor (God can use only clean vessels in holy service. “Purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of Jehovah” - Isa. 52:11)  sanctified (set apart from profane use and for holy use), useful (profitable) to the Master (despotes - the One Who has absolute ownership and all power), prepared (fit and ready) for every good work." (see notes on 2 Timothy 2:21)

Peter introduces his great warning passage describing false teachers by reminding the saints that

false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce (bring in false alongside the truth, teaching much true doctrine, would cleverly include false teaching with it thus secretly and stealthily smuggling in) destructive (this word speaks of the loss of everything that makes human existence worthwhile) heresies, even denying the Master (despotes - Jesus Christ) Who bought (used of the purchase of slaves in the slave-market) them (paying the ransom price with His precious blood), bringing swift destruction upon themselves." (see notes on 2 Peter 2:1)

 In a parallel passage Jude warns that

certain persons have crept in unnoticed (to get in by the side, to slip in a side-door), those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly (depraved conduct and their corrupt doctrine as if God did not exist) persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness (twist Christian liberty into license) and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:4)

MacDonald writes that these men

deny His absolute right to rule (despotes), His deity, His vicarious death, His resurrection—in fact, they deny every essential doctrine of His Person and work. While professing an expansive liberality in the spiritual realm, they are dogmatically and viciously opposed to the gospel, to the value of the precious blood of Christ, and to His being the only way of salvation." (MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)

In the final NT use of despotes, we hear the cry of those slain in the last 7 years of Daniel's Seventieth Week (click Summary Chart of Daniel's Seventieth Week), as they cry out

"with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord (despotes), holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Rev 6:10)

Wuest notes that

There are two classes of these “despots,” the good and kind, and the froward (perverseness, deceit, or falsehood). The word “good” in the Greek refers to intrinsic goodness, namely, good at heart. “Gentle” is from a word meaning “mild, yielding, indulgent.” It comes in its derivation from a word meaning “not being unduly rigorous.” Alford describes the master, “Where not strictness of legal right, but consideration for another, is the rule of practice.” The idea can be summed up in the word “reasonable,” a reasonable man. “Froward” is from a word which literally means “crooked.” The English word “froward” comes from the Anglo-Saxon “from-ward,” namely, “averse.” It describes a master whose face is averse to the slave, whose whole attitude is one of averseness to him. Household slaves are exhorted to put themselves in subjection to both classes." (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: p.23. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)

Despotes

denotes the lord as owner and master in the spheres of family and public life, where lordship sometimes entails harshness and caprice. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) 

The fact that Peter singles slaves out for special admonition indicates that slaves, as a class, formed a large part of the early Christian community (by some estimates there were over 60 million slaves in the Roman empire). In Paul’s day, women, children, and slaves had few rights. In Christ however they had freedom that society denied them. Paul explained how masters and slaves should live out the dichotomy of being on different social levels yet one (equal) in Christ. Some newly converted slaves may have reasoned that their spiritual freedom also guaranteed personal and political freedom, and this line of reasoning created problems for themselves and the churches. Paul dealt with this problem in (1Cor 7:20ff), and also touched on it in his letter to his friend Philemon. As a sidelight it is interesting (and encouraging) to note that the Gospel eventually overthrew the Roman Empire and the terrible institution of slavery, even though the early church did not preach against either one!

With all respect (en panti phobo) is literally in all fear where respect is the Greek word phobos (5401) which means fear but in this context conveys the idea of a reverence toward their masters that induces respect and faithfulness to one's duty. It is an attitude of "healthy fear" which motivates the slave to conduct themselves in a manner that pleases their masters on earth and their Master in heaven. It does not mean in dread of punishment from the master. God wants all believers to have respect for the system of authority in the employer/employee relationship.

Application: As a born again believer, our job is full-time Christian service wherever we are placed. If we disagree with management, God wants us to do it "in all fear." To respect authority does not mean that we must respect the person. It does mean that we respect the authority that they represent.

NOT ONLY TO THOSE WHO ARE GOOD AND GENTLE (reasonable): ou monon tois agathois kai epieikesin: (2Co 10:1; Gal  5:22; Titus 3:2; Ja 3:17)

Good (18) (agathos) (Click for word study of agathos) refers to inner or intrinsic goodness as seen from the outside by a spectator. Many of the masters were not despots as our English word usually conveys (tyrannical, abusive, etc) but were good at heart and were benevolent, kind and generous to their slaves.

Gentle (1933) (epieikes) (Click for word study of epieikes) refers to that disposition which is mild, yielding, indulgent. It is derived from a Greek word meaning, “not being unduly rigorous.” 

In Philippians Paul exhorts the believers to...

Let your forbearing (epieikes) spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. (see note Philippians 4:5)

Thayer defines epieikes as

mildness, gentleness, fairness, sweet reasonableness.

Vincent says,

not unduly rigorous, not making a determined stand for one’s just due.

The one word reasonable sums up its meaning well.

This is simply a testimony to the saint’s status as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, for in that kingdom there is no anarchy or rebellion, but instead the perfect harmony that comes from a thoroughly organized and disciplined order. In other words, all believers are to exhibit a microcosm of the peaceful and respectful conditions that will prevail in the eternal kingdom, a kingdom that will run in perfect order under one autocratic (benevolent despotic) head-God. Christian employees are to be advertisements for the Kingdom they represent. The rider to v18 makes it plain that the character of their employer is not a factor in determining their behavior.

BUT ALSO TO THOSE WHO ARE UNREASONABLE: alla kai tois skoliois: (Ps 101:4; Pr 3:32; 8:13; 10:32; 11:20)

Unreasonable (4646) (skolios from skéllō = to dry) refers to that which is bent or warped from dryness.

Skolios literally refers to that which is bent, crooked, curved or winding.  The more frequent use in the NT and the Septuagint (Lxx) is figuratively where skolios refers to a perversity for turning off from the truth and so that which is morally crooked, bent or twisted and thus unscrupulous (unprincipled), dishonest, unfair, perverse. In the present verse the context conveys the figurative use of severe, hard to deal with, overbearing, unjust, bad-humored, cruel, ill-tempered, unfair, dishonest, cross or harsh.

MacArthur adds that skolios

was used metaphorically of anything that deviates from a standard or norm, and in Scripture, it is often used of things that are morally or spiritually corrupt. (MacArthur, J. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

In secular Greek skolios was used literally of rivers and roads meaning “winding” or “twisted.” Skolios also referred to the movement of snakes. Secular Greek transferred the literal meaning to denote what is "crooked" or dishonest. Kittel adds that

Deceit (of skolios) spoils things, bondage leads to crooked action, and an ambiguous oracle is skoliós. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W.  Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)

The medical condition scoliosis involves an abnormal curvature and misalignment of the spine.

One’s Christianity does not give the right to rebel against one’s superior in the social structure no matter how unfair or harsh he may be. A Christian employee may be wronged by an unbelieving coworker or supervisor. For conscience’ sake, he must “take it” even though he is not in the wrong. A Christian’s relationship to God is far more important than his relationship to men. Remember Jesus' admonition & encouragement (Jn 16:33).

A crooked master might used his power over a slave to inflict severe punishments, withhold wages or not pay fairly, force his slaves to live in squalor, or have other unreasonable expectations. It would take the indwelling Spirit's filling (Eph 5:18) and God’s grace (Php 2:12-13, 2Cor 12:9-10, Ja 4:8) for Christian slaves to loyally and obediently serve such a master. Peter encouraged loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment. These same principles apply to believers today & we too need the same enabling power & grace to comply.

Wuest adds this note on the unreasonable masters:

"The masters had their faces dead set against these Christian slaves. We can understand that attitude when we remember that these slaves lived lives of singular purity, meekness, honesty, willingness to serve, and obedience in the households of their heathen masters. This was a powerful testimony for the gospel, and brought them under conviction of sin. All this irritated them, and they reacted in a most unpleasant way toward their slaves, whom they would punish without provocation. Yet they did not want to sell these Christian slaves and buy pagan ones, for the Christian slaves served them better. So they just had to make the best of the situation."

Skolios is used 4 times in the NT (Lu; Ac; Phil; 1Pe) and is translated as: crooked, 2; perverse, 1; unreasonable, 1. The opposite of orthos = straight.

There are 18 uses of skolios in the Septuagint (LXX) (Deut. 32:5; Job 4:18; 9:20; Ps. 78:8; Prov. 2:15; 4:24; 8:8; 16:26, 28; 21:8; 22:5, 14; 23:33; 28:18; Isa. 27:1; 40:4; 42:16; Hos. 9:8)

Skolios is used with its literal meaning in Luke (quoting Isaiah 40:3-5) who writes that

Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked (skolios) shall become straight, and the rough roads smooth. (Luke 3:5)

Luke is referring to the tradition in which a monarch traveling in wilderness regions would have a crew of workmen go ahead to make sure the road was clear of debris, obstructions, potholes, and other hazards that made the journey difficult. In a spiritual sense, John was calling the people of Israel to prepare their "crooked" hearts for the coming of their Messiah.

Peter had earlier used skolios figuratively in his sermon to the Jews at Pentecost, Luke recording that

with many other words he solemnly (and earnestly) testified and kept on exhorting (and admonishing or warning) them, saying, “Be saved (aorist imperative = command to do this now) from (Apó indicates the separation of a person or an object from another person or an object with which it was formerly united but is now separated) this perverse (skolios - wicked, unjust, evil, unrighteous) generation! (Acts 2:40)

Peter appears to be quoting from (Dt 32:5) and (Ps 78:8 see below) Some 40 years later, many thousands from that "skolios" generation were to perish during the Jewish revolt which culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. On that day on that day, 3,000 Jews repented, believed, and were saved from the perverse generation.

Paul exhorts believers to

"prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked (skolios) and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world." (see note Philippians 2:15) Paul also quotes from (Dt 32:5 see below)

As noted above, skolios is used 18 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Greek translation of the Hebrew OT) and most often in a figurative sense as in Proverbs where we read of men

Whose paths are crooked (Lxx = skolios - devious or deceptive), and who are devious in their ways. (Pr 2:15)

Again we read

Put away (cause to go away) from you a deceitful (Lxx = skolios = here describes a mouth that speaks without integrity, that does not speak truth but rather falsehood, dishonestly and deception and thus a mark of an evil, worthless person) mouth (literally "crookedness of mouth"), and put devious lips far from you. (Pr 4:24)

Moses describes Israel as those who

have acted corruptly toward (God). They are not His children, because of their defect; but are a perverse and crooked (Lxx = skolios = wickedly cunning, distorted) generation. (Dt 32:5).

In a similar description of faithless Israel, the psalmist describes Israel as

a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart (“heart” refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason, the emotions, the will and thus the whole inner being which is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech, sight, and conduct) and whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Ps 78:8) (See Spurgeon's Comment)

Related Resource: persecution - see notes on Matthew 5:10-12

Not always “sticking up for his rights,” as an ungodly man says, but feeling that the greatest right in the world is the right to do without your rights. To suffer wrongfully, will often glorify God much batter than to stand up for what you have a right to be or to have.

This is a correction of what we often hear a slandered person say. “So. and-so has been spreading an evil report against me, and I am in bad odour. I should not have minded it if it had been true, but I cannot bear the slander as it is false.” My dear friend, you ought not to mind it if it is not true; but “when ye do well, and suffer for it,” there is then an acceptableness with God if ye take it patiently. (1 Peter 2 Commentary)

For (1063) (gar) explains "unreasonable" and provides a motivation for the submission Peter has  just called for in (1Peter 2:18).

The word this is neuter, literally = “this thing,” namely, submission and obedience to harsh masters and patience under unjust punishment and even beatings (v20) meted out by these masters. Compare Jesus' last beatitude...

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12 "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (see notes Matthew 5:10; 5:11; 5:12) 

Favor (5485) (charis) (Click word study of charis) means unmerited favor, a gracious gift, an expression of thankfulness. In the present context charis refers more to that which bestows or occasions God's pleasure and delight. It refers to a good action which is worthy of praise and approval. The Amplified version helps understand the idea by translating it

For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering.

Some of the translations render the phrase for this finds favor as this is thankworthy (praiseworthy in the sight of God).

Adam Clarke (critique) says that in a conscientious discharge of one's duty independent of the benevolence or malevolence of the master (employer), such action in the sight of God is

thankworthy, pleasing, and proper; it shows that you prefer his authority to your own ease, peace, and emolument; it shows also, as Dr. McKnight has well observed, that they considered their obligation to relative duties not to depend on the character of the person to whom they were to be performed, nor on their performing the duties they owed to their servants, but on the unalterable relations of things established by God. (Clarke, A.  Clarke's Commentary)

MacArthur comments that

Favor with God is found when an employee, treated unjustly, accepts his poor treatment with faith in God’s sovereign care, rather than responding in anger, hostility, discontent, pride, or rebellion. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos)

Anybody, including an unbeliever, can “take it patiently” when he is in the wrong! It takes a dedicated Christian to “take it” when he is in the right because the human tendency is to fight back and to demand our rights. But that is the natural response of the unsaved person, and we must do much more than they do (Lu 6:32-34). Anybody can fight back; it takes a Spirit-filled Christian to submit and let God fight his battles (see notes Romans 12:16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21).

Wuest explains that favor (KJV = thankworthy) refers...

to an action that is beyond the ordinary course of what might be expected, and is therefore commendable. The unsaved slave would react toward unjust punishment in a surly, rebellious, sullen, vindictive manner. That would be the expected and ordinary thing. But Peter exhorts these Christian slaves to be obedient to these unjust and cruel masters, and when punished unjustly to behave in a meek, patient, and forgiving manner. This would be an action beyond the ordinary course of what might be expected, and would therefore be commendable. The motive for acting thus, Peter tells them, is “for conscience toward God.” The idea here is not that of conscientiousness in the ordinary sense, but of the Christian slave’s conscious sense of his relation to God. He has a testimony to maintain before his pagan master. He has the Lord Jesus Christ to emulate and reflect in his life. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

MacDonald writes that

When we suffer unjustly, we win God’s approval. He is pleased when He finds us so conscious of our relation to Him that we endure undeserved pain without vindicating self or fighting back. When we meekly take unjust treatment, we display Christ; this supernatural life gains God’s “Well done. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

In summary, a slave who suffers, even though undeservedly, with the consciousness that he is following God’s will in what he is doing, will receive the blessing of God.

IF FOR THE SAKE OF CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD: ei dia suneidesin theou: (1Peter 3:14-17; Mt 5:10-12; Jn 15:21; Ro 13:5; 2Ti 1:12) (See Torrey's Topic "Conscience") 

If is what is referred to as a first class conditional statement which means that what follows is a fact assumed to be true. This is the lot in life for believers...the cross before the crown.

Conscience (4893) (suneidesis from sun = with + eido = know) (Click word study of suneidesis) is literally a "knowing with".

In the present context the idea of suneidesis is that the servant has a conscious awareness of God and an allegiance to Him as his or her Master, this thought being conveyed by several of the translations:

because he is conscious of God (NIV)

when mindful of God (ESV)

because of the conscious sense of his relation to God (Wuest)

from a sense of duty (Weymouth, Montgomery)

Vincent writes that...

The idea is not conscientiousness in the ordinary sense, but the conscious sense of one’s relation to God; his consciousness of God. Thus one suffers patiently, not from a conscientious sense of duty, but from an inner consciousness of his relation to God as a son, and to Christ as a joint-heir, which involves his suffering with him no less than his being glorified with him.

What should motivate a Christian employee’s relationship with his employer independent of the employer's treatment is a desire to please God, motivated by a sense of a "Coram Deo" (before the face of God) type of awareness.

A MAN BEARS UP UNDER SORROWS WHEN SUFFERING UNJUSTLY: hupopherei (3SPAI) tis lupas paschon (PAPMSN) adikos: (Job 21:27; Ps 35:19; 38:19; 69:4; 119:86)

Robertson makes the point that...

Suffering is not a blessing in and of itself, but, if one’s duty to God is involved (Acts 4:20), then one can meet it with gladness of heart.

Bears up (5297) (hupophero from hupo = under + phero = bear) means to continue to bear up (from underneath), to endure, to sustain, to put up with, to underpin (to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of as of a sagging building) despite difficulty and suffering. The principle is that we are able to get under a heavy load and carry it.

The present tense indicates that bearing up under is this man's lifestyle, the attitude and the habitual practice of this person.

Inherent in the meaning of hupophero is the picture of a plant which is crushed down and trampled upon, yet keeps rising back up again. This critical character quality is one of the primary factors which will determine whether or not we finish God's course for our lives (notes on Hebrew 12:1; 12:2). One man put it like this:

Who walks with God must take His way
Across far distances and gray
To goals that others do not see,
where others do not care to be
Who walks with God must have no fear
When danger and defeat appear
Nor stop when every hope seems gone
For God, our God, moves on."

Hupophero is used only two other places in the NT. Paul reminds the Corinthian saints that if they think they stand, then they need to take heed lest they fall and that this will be made possible because

No temptation (means simply to test or prove with no negative connotation. Whether it becomes a proof of righteousness or an inducement to sin depends on our response - If we resist it in God’s power, it is a test that proves our faithfulness. If we do not resist, it becomes a solicitation to sin) has overtaken you but such as is common to man (that which is human, characteristic of or belonging to mankind); and God is faithful (remains true to His own), who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able ( No believer can claim that he was overwhelmed by temptation or that “the devil made me do it.” No temptation is inherently stronger than our spiritual resources. People sin because they want to sin), but with the temptation will provide the (specific) way of escape also (not by getting out of it but by passing through it = for every trial God prepares the way through), that you may be able to endure (hupophero) it. (1Corinthians 10:13)

A period of temptation and testing may be compared with a ship approaching a rocky shore and facing inevitable shipwreck. But, suddenly and, to the inexperienced landsman, unexpectedly, it slips through a gap on the inhospitable coast into security and peace and is thus being enabled to endure certain disaster.

Paul's third use of hupophero is in his testimony to Timothy concerning his

persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured (hupophero), and out of them all the Lord delivered me!" (see note 2 Timothy 3:11)

The Lord had not delivered from trouble, but He had delivered him out of the troubles. This is a reminder to us that we are not promised freedom from difficulties, but we are promised that the Lord will be go through the trial with us and He is faithful to see us through and to show us the way of escape that we might be able to bear up under the trial.

Sorrows (3077) (lupe) is grief, trouble, sad plight or condition. It can refer physically to pain, suffering or distress or mentally or spiritually to sorrow, grief, sadness or anxiety.

Kittel adds that

Physically lupe can denote any pain, though esp. that caused by hunger or thirst, by heat or cold or by sickness... Spiritually lupe is sorrow, pain or anxiety at misfortune or death, or anger at annoyances or hurts, esp. insults and outrages. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.  Eerdmans)

Grief is deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement (the state of being deprived or robbed of the possession or use of something).

In the present context lupe summarizes all the difficulties a person experiences because of undeserved suffering.

Suffering (3958) (pascho) means to experience a sensation or feeling which comes from outside of one's self and which has to be suffered.  It means  to undergo an experience, usually difficult, normally with implication of physical or psychological suffering. The present tense speaks of continual suffering.

Given Peter's emphasis on trials and afflictions, it shouldn't be surprising that this verb pascho is used more often in 1Peter than any other epistle, with in fact 25% (10/40 uses) of the NT uses (Click these 10 verses)

Unjustly (95) (adikos from a = without + díkē = justice) means suffering injustice undeservedly, wrongfully or without good reason. Suffering which is not just, right or deserved and falls short of the righteousness required by divine laws.

Wiersbe rightly comments that...

Anybody, including an unbeliever, can “take it patiently” when he is in the wrong! It takes a dedicated Christian to “take it” when he is in the right. “This is grace [acceptable] with God.” God can give us the grace to submit and “take it” and in this way glorify God. Of course, the human tendency is to fight back and to demand our rights. But that is the natural response of the unsaved person, and we must do much more than they do (Luke 6:32-34). Anybody can fight back; it takes a Spirit-filled Christian to submit and let God fight his battles (see notes Romans 12:16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21). (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos)

Treatment of slaves in the Roman empire was not charitable for the most part. Like thieves, runaway slaves were branded on the forehead (of course this would be suffering justly) . Others were imprisoned and many slaves died from mistreatment or imprisonment. It was however illegal to take the life of a slave without a court order. In some cases, a master might take out his anger on his slaves, even though the slaves had done nothing to incur any wrath (unjust suffering).

Meyer offers an interesting comment...

Our case is like that of a criminal who had better bear quietly a sentence for a crime he has not committed, lest by too much outcry he induce investigation into a list of offenses, which are not charged against him, because they are not known.

Peter is saying that the believing slave should be willing to suffer such abuse, accepting that he has been placed in his position as a living testimony to Christ. The spiritual dynamic in which believers are called to operate is essentially an outworking of the principle our Lord taught declaring...

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation (thlipsis), but take courage; I have overcome the world. (Jn 16:33)

All believers who give a clear testimony for Christ can expect to generate opposition and persecution as a manifestation of the reaction of a prodded conscience, for as Scripture amply attests, the world is "programmed" to react that way...

(Our Lord taught that) "you will be hated by all (why?) on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved...24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master." (Mt 10:22, 24).

(And again He taught that...) "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22 "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. (John 15:18-22)

For to you it has been granted (verb derived from charis, grace and so it is a grace gift for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (see note Philippians 1:29).

And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (see note 2 Timothy 3:12)

We see in these verses the cost of submission to God and in turn submission to harsh masters.

A. W. Tozer once remarked,

To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.

Peter is very practical in his Epistles. In the early days of the faith, Christians occupied a far more difficult and dangerous position than they do today. They were few in number, and greatly despised. All manner of crimes were falsely alleged against them; they were accused of things too vile for me to mention. The apostle, in writing to these Christians, begs them so to behave that they should commend the gospel of Christ. Very many of them were servants or slaves; so the apostle says to these lowly followers of Christ, “Here are your duties”

A sense of injustice stings a man; he does not like to lose his rights, or to be buffeted when he has done no ill; but the Spirit of Christ teaches us to “endure grief, suffering wrongfully,” — to bear still, and still to bear. We are to be like the anvil; let others strike us if they will, but we shall wear out the hammers if we only know how to stand still and bear all that is put upon us. 

It may be hard to bear, but in that very hardness lies much of the fragrance of it towards God. As spices must be bruised, so must you be pressed and crushed to bring out your sweetness. If you want to be where there is nothing to suffer, and no wrong to be endured, you are in the wrong world for that as yet; that will be in the world to come. (1 Peter 2 Commentary)

What (4169) (poios) is an interrogative pronoun and can mean "of what kind?" as in this verse.

Robertson writes that poios is a

"Qualitative interrogative (what kind of glory). “What price glory?”

Credit (2811)(kleos from kleo = to tell) means a good report, fame or renown. This verse is the only NT usage.

Vine writes that kleos

is derived from a root signifying “hearing”; hence, the meaning “reputation.”

Josephus uses kleos in his discussion of the prophet Balaam writing that God "had raised him to great reputation on account of the truth of his predictions"

The writing First Clement has the phrase "win fame for oneself".

Harshly treated (2852) (kolaphizo from kolaphos = the knuckles or a closed fist and kolapto = to strike) means to beat or strike with the fist. To strike with clenched hand. Figuratively it means to cause harm, treat roughly or harshly (1Cor 4:11).

Kolaphizo is in the present tense  indicating continuous action, signifying that it was the habit of the "crooked" masters to "continually pummel" their slaves, the slave's only offense being that they had lived Christ-like lives which were used by the Holy Spirit to convict the harsh taskmasters of sin.

Kolaphizo is used in (Mt 26:67; Mk 14:65) to describe the beating of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ by the frenzied Jewish mob!

Matthew 26:67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him,

Mark 14:65 And some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.

1 Corinthians 4:11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

2 Corinthians 12:7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself!

1 Peter 2:20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

The prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 52:14) paints a vivid picture of our Lord's condition after the being beaten (kolaphizo in Mt 26:67, Mk 14:65). The literal rendering of this verse (Isaiah 52:14) according to Hebrew scholars is

So marred from the form of man was His aspect that His appearance was not that of a Son of man,”

In other words, Isaiah is saying He was so marred that He almost did not even appear to be human! Peter may have been comparing the beating slaves often received with that which our Lord experienced and in the next verse he begins to describe His example to motivate his readers.

YOU ENDURE IT WITH PATIENCE: hupomeneite (2PFAI):  (Click Torrey's Topic "Patience")

Patience (5278) (hupomeno from hupo = under + meno = abide) (Click study of related noun hupomone) literally describes the ability to abide or remain under not simply with resignation, but with vibrant hope.

Patience is a critical Christian virtue. Unless we have patience, we can never learn many of the truths that God wants us to learn, truths that will lead us into a deeper life (cf notes Philippians 3:10) and a more fruitful ministry (cf Jn 15:2,8). Children are usually impatient; they cannot sit still long enough to get the things done that need to be done. “How long do we have to wait?” is the stock question of the child. Impatience is a mark of immaturity. Impatience is also a mark of unbelief. (cf Isa 28:16 - He who believes will not be in a hurry or will not be disturbed)

BUT IF  WHEN YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND SUFFER FOR IT: all ei agathopoiountes (PAPMPN) kai paschontes (PAPMPN): (Illustration from ODB)

If - This introduces what is known as a first class conditional statement, one that assumes this is fact - Peter assumes as obedient children who are to be holy as God is holy, we will do what is right and we will suffer for doing what is right. That doesn't seem "right" nor fair, but as aliens and strangers we remind the lost that there is a God in heaven and there is a sure and soon judgment of every man by that righteous Judge. And so we suffer for Who we represent to the world.

Do what is right is in the present tense indicating that this is to be our continual action!

James reminds us of the reward...

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (Ja1:12)

The best way to respond to wrong is to do what's right.

Suffer (3958) (pascho) means to experience a sensation or feeling which comes from outside of one's self and which has to be suffered.  It means  to undergo an experience, usually difficult, normally with implication of physical or psychological suffering. The present tense speaks of continual suffering.

Given Peter's emphasis on trials and afflictions, it shouldn't be surprising that this verb pascho is used more often in 1Peter than any other epistle, with in fact 25% (10/40 uses) of the NT uses (Click these 10 verses)

YOU PATIENTLY ENDURE IT THIS FINDS FAVOR WITH GOD: hupomeneite, (2PFAI) touto charis para theo: (Mt 5:10-12; Ro 12:1,2; Ep 5:10; Php 4:18, Lu 6:32) (Click Torrey's Topic "Afflictions Made Beneficial")

Patiently endure (5278) (hupomeno from hupo = under + meno = abide) (Click study of related noun hupomone) literally describes the ability to abide or remain under not simply with resignation, but with vibrant hope. This reaction is only possible as we are strengthened by God's Spirit with power in our inner man (see note Ephesians 3:16; cf fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22-23)

This patience is not just "grin and bear it" patience but describes the patient and even cheerful (only possible because the joy of the Lord is our strength, Neh 8:10) endurance of maltreatment that is undeserved. At first, Peter had opposed Christ’s suffering on the Cross (Mt 16:21ff) but then he learned the important lesson that we lead by serving and serve by suffering. He also learned that this kind of suffering always leads to God's glory and God's favor!

Regarding the word this (or "this thing") A T Robertson comments that...

 This thing (neuter) is thanks (verse 19) by the side of (para = beside) God (as God looks at it).

Favor (5485) (charis) (Click study of charis) means unmerited favor, a gracious gift, an expression of thankfulness. In the present context charis refers more to that which bestows or occasions God's pleasure and delight.

Why does patient endurance delight our Father? Because when we as "love" slaves of God live set apart (holy) lives, supernaturally empowered by His Spirit, such lives are a testimony and "advertisement" of God’s great mercy and grace to the "crooked" despot (v18).

BKC writes that...

It is respectful submission to undeserved suffering that finds favor with God because such behavior demonstrates His grace. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1985. Victor or Logos)

This passage surely bears the marks of Peter’s memories of that awful night when He denied His Lord. His exhortation to these Christian slaves is that when they are being unjustly pummeled by their masters, they should remember the Lord Jesus and how He was unjustly pummeled for them, and react towards their masters as Jesus did to those who mistreated Him. They are to take this punishment patiently, and this would be a delight to their Father.

Illustration - The story is told of an elderly missionary couple who were returning home on a ship after many years of sacrificial service in Africa. On the same ship was Theodore Roosevelt, who had just completed a highly successful big game hunt. As the ship docked in New York harbor, thousands of well-wishers and dozens of reporters lined the pier to welcome Roosevelt home. But not a single person was there to welcome the missionaries. As the couple rode to a hotel in a taxi, the man complained to his wife, "It just doesn't seem right. We give forty years of our lives to Jesus Christ to win souls in Africa, and nobody knows or cares when we return. Yet the president goes over there for a few weeks to kill some animals and the whole world takes notice." But as they prayed together that night before retiring, the Lord seemed to say to them, "Do you know why you haven't received your reward yet, My children? It is because you are not home yet."

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It's natural to want to defend ourselves against injustice and to strike back. But if we're quiet and peaceful when others mistreat and persecute us, we are responding in a Christlike way. God wants to develop in us qualities that are unnatural for us. Anyone can be patient when everything's going his or her way. The greater virtue is to remain calm and controlled under provocation (1 Peter 2:20).

Fenelon, a 17th-century theologian, put it this way: "Don't be so upset when evil men and women defraud you. Let them do as they please; just seek to do the will of God . . . . Silent peace and sweet fellowship with God will repay you for every evil thing done against you. Fix your eyes on God." He allows painful situations to come into your life, and according to Fenelon, "He does this for your benefit."

For our benefit? Indeed! As we respond to injustice in a Christlike way, our anxiety, insecurity, and pessimism will be transformed into tranquility, stability, and hope.

Why do we lash out when we're mistreated? Why are we so quick to defend ourselves or to seek revenge? Is it not that we place too much value on our own comfort and rights?

If so, we must pray, echoing the words of Augustine, "Heal me of this lust of mine to always vindicate myself." —David H. Roper (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Life can be lived with joy and peace
Amid its heartache and pain,
For with God's help our hate can cease
And peace and justice will reign. —D. De Haan

The best way to respond to wrong is to do what's right.

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TODAY IN THE WORD - Twelve Filipino evangelists visited a camp of Muslim rebels last July to pray for a group of hostages. The extremists decided to seize the ministers as well, keeping them as additional hostages. They were held captive for three long months.