“…not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”

1 Peter 2:18b

In studying Peter’s inspired instruction to Christian slaves and servants in the first century, it is prudent to examine what the Bible says about slavery as a whole.  The generalized overview of the Old Testament directives concerning slavery given in the last article showed that the charges that the Bible and Christianity are to blame for the oppression of slaves throughout history are incorrect.  In looking at the New Testament commands directed at Christians who were slaves in the first century, it must first be pointed out that slavery would not exist if the entire world followed Jesus’ command in the Sermon on the Mount, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…” (Matt. 7:12).  Even with the numerous Old Testament commands protecting slaves from mistreatment shown in the previous article, the pagan nations in the Old Testament who had committed terrible atrocities against mankind, including children, would not have done so if they all had treated everyone the way they themselves would want to be treated; they thus would not have been overthrown by Israel and punished by having their freedom taken away.   If everyone followed “the Golden Rule,” no one would kidnap another and force them into bondage, something which is directly condemned as sinful by Paul (1 Tim. 1:9-10; cf. Ex. 21:16; Deut. 24:7).  Living in a sin-filled, fallen world, we will never experience a time in which even a plurality, much less the entirety, of the planet will treat others the way they themselves would want to be treated.  Thus, we have many injustices in this world, including slavery.  A study of the New Testament commands given to Christian slaves about their enslavement show that God is teaching them how to respond to such injustice.  These directives should not be taken to condone such injustice; rather, they recognize the reality that Christians will face these wrongs while living in a sinful world and show the Christian how to “be conformed to the image” of Jesus while enduring them (Rom. 8:29; 12:2; cf. Matt. 5:38-48).

This is why Paul calls on Christian slaves to obey their masters “with a sincere heart, as you would Christ” (Eph. 6:5), and to do so not superficially with the goal of flattery, “but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free” (vs. 6-8; cf. Col. 3:22-25; 1 Tim. 6:1-2; Tit. 2:9-10).  The reason to do this is “so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (1 Tim. 6:1b).  His reason given to Titus is even more revealing along these lines:  “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Tit. 2:10b-12).

Peter’s directives to Christian slaves are similar both in action and purpose.  He directs Christian slaves to not only “be subject to your masters,” but to do so “with all respect,” and “not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust” (2:18).  By “endur(ing) sorrows while suffering unjustly” and “do(ing) good and suffer(ing) for it” while “endur(ing)” it, they are “mindful of God” and show His grace to others (2:19-20).  In this way they, as well as free Christians who are still mistreated by others in various ways, follow in the steps of our suffering Savior (2:21b-23).  It’s noteworthy that Peter specifically says that this is the reason “you have been called” by God (2:21a; cf. 1 Thess. 2:12).  This is a big part of how Christians ultimately change the world for the better by influencing those around them to convert to Christ themselves (1 Pet. 2:11-12; Matt. 5:13-16).

Christians, do you want to our society to grow closer to God?  It begins and ends with the kind of person you are.

— Jon