First Peter Two Verses Eighteen-Twenty
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

First Peter 2:18-20
Servants Obedient To Masters So That You Only Suffer For Righteousness

I. Introduction:

A. We are in a context about submitting to those in authority over us for our own good as well as the Lord’s (I Peter 2:11-17).

  1. This context will continue by showing the Lord of lords and King of kings didn’t carnally fight against the wrong done to Him (I Peter 2:21-24).
  2. The context then continues in talking about the submission of a wife to her husband, even if he is not a Christian (I Peter 3:1ff.).
B. Because of American history, the thought of slavery leaves a bad taste in most people’s mouths. This lesson is about servants with masters. This lessons is not about American history. This lesson is in a context of submissiveness to any in authority over us. Christianity requires a willingness to be submissive even when those we submit to are not worthy of such submission. Many agree when it comes to submitting to God (James 4:7), but the submissiveness of saints goes beyond that. Notice a few examples beyond what we have covered and will cover in our current contextual study…

  1. To laborers in the word (I Corinthians 16:15-16).
  2. To each other (Ephesians 5:21 and I Peter 5:5).
  3. To those with oversight in the church (Hebrews 13:17).
  4. The mindset (Romans 15:1-3 and Philippians 2:3-8; cf. John 5:30).
  5. Quench whatever feelings you have been taught in this world to have towards the idea of being a servant under a master. What we are about to read are God’s instructions and your prejudices have to be set aside. Think about how this chapter started (I Peter 2:1-3).

II. Body: I Peter 2:18-20

A. Servants, be subject to your masters (Colossians 3:22-25).

  1. With fear (Ephesians 6:5-7).
  2. Even if your master is a Christian (I Timothy 6:2-5).
  1. Don’t use the fact that you are brethren as an excuse to get out of being a servant (cf. I Peter 2:16).
  2. Consider Onesimus being returned to Philemon (Philemon 1:8-22).
  1. Not answering again or purloining [keeping back; embezzlement] (Titus 2:9-10).
B. Not only to the good, but also to the froward [crooked; perverse; wicked] (Genesis 16:1-9).

  1. Don’t make God look bad by being disobedient to those in authority over you (I Timothy 6:1).
  2. You do not repay evil for evil (I Peter 3:9).
  3. Think about Jesus (Matthew 20:20-28).
C. If you are going to suffer, let it be an act of persecution rather than some deserved punishment (I Peter 3:16-17).

  1. Again, we see the conscience at play as we discussed about obedience to civil government (Romans 13:5).
  2. Let the charges be false (Matthew 5:11).
  3. It is thankworthy to suffer for good (Acts 5:40-42).
  4. Don’t let your good be evil spoken of (Romans 14:16).
D. What good is enduring suffering if you deserve to suffer (I Peter 4:12-16)?

  1. Jesus suffered such physical beating (Matthew 26:67), but He did not deserve it (I Peter 3:18).
  2. The idea of a servant being beaten for wrongdoing is a teaching tool Jesus used to teach accountability (Luke 12:42-48).
E. If you are going to suffer, in a manner that is pleasing to God, let it be for doing good (Luke 6:22 and Revelation 2:8-11).

  1. Think about what Paul wrote to Timothy (II Timothy 2:8-12).
  2. If you suffer according to the will of God, He’s got you (I Peter 4:19).
  3. Endurance has a reward IF, that is IF, you endure suffering for the RIGHT REASONS (Mark 13:13).

III. Conclusion: Our Next Study: I Peter 2:21-23