Conduct Suited to the Individual Relationships of the Christian: 1 Peter 2:18-3:17

From: The Epistles of Peter By: Hamilton Smith

1 Peter 2:18‑3:17 • 6 min. read • grade level: 8

The apostle has exhorted us as to conduct consistent with relationships in which all Christians are found. He now refers to the conduct proper to particular relationships in which many are placed. First, he speaks of servants 18-22); then of wives (3:1-6); and, finally, of husbands (2:7).

1. Household servants.

1 Peter 2:18-20¹⁸Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. ¹⁹For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. ²⁰For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (1 Peter 2:18‑20). Christian servants are first addressed. The Greek word, we are told, implies household servants, though not necessarily slaves. All Christians have already been exhorted to be in subjection to every human institution. Now the Christian servant is exhorted to be subject, as later subjection is pressed upon the Christian wife, the younger brethren, and finally upon us all in relation to one other. Evidently, as one has said, subjection "is the very quality that suits strangers. If I am a king in my kingdom, I may exercise authority and dominion; but if I am a cast-out stranger, the temper that suits me is a spirit of subjection all my life through. Put the stranger in company with what relationship you please, the Spirit of God expects this spirit of subjection".

The servant is to be subject whether the master be gentle or ill-tempered. The ill-temper of a master may involve suffering for a Christian servant. This gives occasion to introduce the second form of suffering of which the apostle speaks in this Epistle—suffering for conscience' sake. The servant, while subject, is to keep a good conscience before God by refusing to do evil. If this leads to suffering wrongfully, let the believer remember that to "do well", "suffer for it", and "take it patiently" is acceptable to God.

1 Peter 2:21-23²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ²²Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ²³Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:21‑23). In a life of patient suffering for well-doing God sees the setting forth of the life of Christ. This explains many of the trying circumstances in which the Christian may be found. God allows them to give us the opportunity to express the excellencies of Christ for His pleasure and our ultimate glory.

If we are called to be with Christ in glory, we are also called to follow His steps on the way to glory. The apostle gives us three of His steps. First, He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. Secondly, He suffered, being reviled and threatened. Thirdly, when reviled, He took it patiently; He neither reviled nor threatened. In the presence of all His accusers His resource was in God. He committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. When falsely accused before the Jewish council, He "held His peace" (Matt. 26:63⁶³But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. (Matthew 26:63)). To the accusations of the Jews in the presence of Pilate, "He answered nothing". To Pilate himself, "He answered... never a word" (Matthew 27:12-14¹²And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. ¹³Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? ¹⁴And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. (Matthew 27:12‑14)). The mocking Herod questioned Him in many words, "but He answered him nothing" (Luke 23:9⁹Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. (Luke 23:9)). He was silent before men because He had a resource in God.

How good for us to follow in His steps and, in the presence of the malicious words of men, come from what quarter they may, to keep silent in the realization that the Lord is our resource. Well for us to take up the words of the prophet and say, "Jehovah is my portion... therefore will I hope in Him. Jehovah is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that one should both wait, and that in silence, for the salvation of Jehovah" (Lam. 3:24-26²⁴The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. ²⁵The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. ²⁶It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:24‑26)). It is noticeable that it is only in this particular relationship that the Lord can be cited as an example, for He Himself has taken the place of the Servant. From other Scriptures it is clear that the Christian may entreat, exhort, or even rebuke; but never is he to revile or threaten.

1 Peter 2:24-25²⁴Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. ²⁵For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24‑25). Moreover, the Christian has another incentive to do right, or "live unto righteousness". Christ has borne our sins in His own body on the tree, not only that we should be justified and saved from the judgment of sins, but that we should live unto righteousness. Having been healed by His stripes, can we go on with sin that cost Him so much to remove? Christ having suffered for our wrong-doing, it is to our shame if we suffer for wrong-doing. It is our privilege to be allowed to follow His steps and suffer for well-doing. Only by having Himself before us can we follow His steps; as His sheep, we are only safe as we follow the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

2. Wives.

1 Peter 3:1-2¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; ²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (1 Peter 3:1‑2). The apostle proceeds to exhort believers in the marriage relationship. The outstanding mark of the Christian wife should be subjection to her husband. In carrying out this exhortation we may learn how greatly a consistent Christian life can influence the unconverted. The unbelieving husband, who refuses to listen to the word of God, may be won by beholding the life of his wife lived in all purity and the fear of God.

1 Peter 3:3-4³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Peter 3:3‑4). If, however, the wife is to live rightly with the husband, she must live in spirit before God. Her adorning is not to be after the passing fashions of this world, which only seek to make the woman outwardly attractive in the sight of men, while of necessity having nothing to say to the moral character, which is of great value in the sight of God. The Christian wife is to think rather of that which God sees—"the hidden man of the heart"—and adorn herself with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. This is the opposite of the vanity and self-assertiveness of the flesh which ever seeks prominence for self. Moreover, this meek and quiet spirit is to be cherished in the heart, in the sight of God. If cultivated there, it will surely form a meek and quiet character before God and men. There may be at times the affectation of a meek and quiet manner, but this is of little value unless it is the outcome of a meek and quiet spirit. Only that which comes from "the hidden man of the heart" will rightly affect the life.

1 Peter 3:5-6⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: ⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (1 Peter 3:5‑6). Holy women of old are cited as examples for Christian women to-day. They trusted in God, adorned themselves with meekness and quietness of spirit, and were in subjection to their husbands. Sarah proved her obedience and subjection to her husband by calling him lord, according to the custom of that day. Wives that trust in God, obey their husbands, and do well without fear of consequences, are characteristically children of Sarah.

3. Husbands.

1 Peter 3:7⁷Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7). The Christian husband is to dwell with his wife according to the knowledge of the relationship as instituted by God, and not simply according to human thoughts or customs. He is to honor her as the more fragile being, and therefore requiring greater care and protection. Whatever differences there may be as to constitution, they are heirs together of the grace of life. The husband is therefore to pay all honor to the wife, so that no cloud may arise between them to hinder their prayers.

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