Submitting (13–25). Peter’s counsel is that Christians be good citizens and employees so that God will be glorified. (See Jeremiah’s advice to the captives [Jer. 29].) The example for us to follow is Jesus Christ who submitted even to death.
Jeremiah 29:4-7 NIV4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
1 Peter 2:13-17 NIV
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
- Romans 12:10-13 NIV Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
- Be joyful in hope,
- patient in affliction,
- faithful in prayer.
- Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
- Practice hospitality.
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
- Colossians 3:15 NIV Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Note: Christ himself said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (Jn 8:34). In the service of God, who is the source of joy, Christians experience perfect freedom, because Christ frees us from the bondage of sin.
17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Note: Slaves were viewed as property. They were able to sell themselves into slavery, purchase slaves for themselves, earn wages, and buy their way out of slavery. Slaves could come from any conceivable background. Some slaves were doctors, philosophers, and government officials. For some, slave life was voluntary. If a person wanted Roman citizenship, they could become a slave to a Roman and when manumitted gain Roman citizenship. Slavery was not a racial matter, rather it was a means to get manual labor done.