LESSON 12 • Submission to Rulers & Masters
1 Peter 2:13-25

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. I Peter 2:21

Introduction

Someone who had known Peter when he was young might have read his first letter, written 30 or 35 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, particularly the section for today's lesson, and say, "It is hard to believe that this is coming from Peter!" Peter had cut off the ear of a fellow in the fracas that night in Gethsemane. The portrait of Peter that emerges during the ministry of Jesus is not that of a patient, respectful, longsuffering saint. Preachers in our day have often described Peter as impetuous. Yet in this letter Peter rather directly tells the Christians to whom he is writing that they should submit to their rulers and masters even if the rulers and masters were bad.

Contextual Overview

The first century Christians Peter addressed did not have an easy time of it. Early in this letter Peter noted that they were different from those in whose midst they were living. He twice referred to them as strangers (1:1, 17) and once as aliens and strangers in the world (2:11). They were out of step with the times. The government was headed by the emperor in Rome, with provincial officials—such as Herod, Felix, Festus, and Pilate—who often were corrupt and cruel. In a pagan culture, the new religion of the Christians was regarded as strange. Slavery was a prominent feature of the Roman world, and there were slaves among the early Christian converts, some of them with harsh masters. All in all, the Christians to whom Peter wrote were living in adverse circumstances. They were suffering.

Peter wrote to encourage them to endure. He told them how very different and special they were. He pointed them to the example of Jesus. He told them to look beyond this brief life to the joy which lay beyond it. But Peter did not just speak in generalities. He was direct and practical. Government officials and slave owners were among their tormentors. The new Christians to whom Peter wrote, viewing the oppressive behavior of government officials and slave holders through the standards of their new religion, had to think two things: (1) The way they are treating us is wrong. (2) Shouldn't God give us relief? Peter told them how to behave and why.

He addressed the issue of government rulers and said: submit. Submit, whether to the emperor in Rome (probably Nero, one of the worst of all times) or to the governor out in the provinces. A government which provides citizens with personal safety, predictable order, and a system of justice is a basic human need. In a somewhat similar passage in Romans 13, Paul said that government is established by God.

In addressing the plight of slaves, Peter moves into a territory that is largely alien to 21st Century American Christians. None of us has ever been owned as property by another human being. Peter again said: submit. There is a noteworthy difference in Peter's treatment of the two subjects. He said to everyone, submit to government rulers; and he gave a justification for government--it served a God-given purpose. He said to slaves, submit to your masters. But he did not give any justification for slavery, God-given or otherwise.

Peter did not make the issue complicated. He said look to Jesus and follow His example. Peter pointed out that Jesus suffered greatly and died for them. Yet He had not sinned, was not deceitful, did not fight back, but entrusted Himself to the ultimate Judge. It is in this context (verse 21) that we encounter a well-known line, "follow in his steps," which in recent years has been captured in "WWJD" or "What would Jesus do?"

Outline

I. Submit to government authorities
A. Do it for the Lord's sake
B. Do it because government plays an important role
C. Do it to silence critics and detractors of the faith
D. Live as free persons
1. Don't use freedom as license
2. Use your freedom as a servant of God
E. Show proper respect for everyone
1. Believers (love)
2. God (fear)
3. King (honor)
II. Slaves, submit to your masters with all respect
A. Submit, whether good or harsh masters
B. Is commendable to endure unjust suffering
C. Is not commendable if beaten for wrong doing
D. Follow Christ's example of suffering
1. He did nothing wrong
2. He was insulted and beaten
3. He did not retaliate or threaten
4. He entrusted Himself to the ultimate Judge
E. He bore our sins, healed our wounds
1. So we might die to sin
2. So we might live for righteousness
3. You were like straying sheep
4. You have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls


Application

Peter, in I Peter 2:13-25 as well as in earlier and later parts of the letter, addressed relationships. According to Peter, the Christian needs to exhibit holiness in relationships. When the Christian handles relationships in the right way, particularly when the other party is a source of suffering to the Christian, it results in glory to God. It discredits those who try to discredit the faith.

Although Peter did not include the point in his discussion here, he showed by his conduct that there were times when one could not submit to another though required by a relationship to do so. On one occasion Jesus had said,"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21) On at least one occasion (Acts 5:28-29) Peter made a similar statement. When forbidden to teach the gospel in Jerusalem, we find that "Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'" 

What Peter said in his first letter should give us pause. Each Christian's life is a web of relationships. Peter in effect told First Century Christians and tells us today that each difficult relationship is an opportunity to have a positive influence and glorify God on the one hand, or to give an excuse for others to impugn our faith and criticize the Lord's church on the other hand.

Peter did not say it would be easy. In fact, he described how Jesus did it and said, follow in his steps. He did make it clear, however, that good came from such conduct now and that "now" was not forever for the aliens and strangers in this world to whom he was writing. 

Discussion

1. Peter told First Century Christians to submit to rulers and masters. Why, or what reasons did he give for submitting? Do you like his answer as to why? Discuss.
2. In the USA where are there "rubs" in a Christian's relationship with government? Can you give contemporary examples of government treatment of citizens or requirements of citizens, other than taxes, that would be similar to those about which Peter was saying to the First Century Christians—"submit"?
3. Sometimes Christians in this country object to paying taxes to a state or to the Federal government because they believe tax dollars are being spent for purposes they view as morally wrong, such as war or capital punishment or abortion. Do you believe that in such circumstances the Christian should or should not withhold tax payments? Explain.
3. Charles M. Sheldon wrote In His Steps in 1896, a book which continues to be widely read. It tells the story of a church in which a number of individuals each pledged that whenever they faced any decision, they would first ask, what would Jesus do? Then they would "follow in His steps." Is this a good way to put Peter's teaching into practice?

References

Raymond C. Kelcy, The Letters of Peter and Jude (Austin: R. B. Sweet Co., Inc., 1972)

Curt Niccum, "Resident Aliens: A Study of 1 Peter," eBibleStudy.org, North Institute for Educational Technology, Oklahoma Christian University, 2000.

Guy N. Woods, A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles of Peter, John, and Jude (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Company, 1960)
-Joel E. Anderson




(Joel Anderson serves on the Adult Education Ministry Team of the Pleasant Valley congregation. He and his wife Ann were leaders of the Golden Years Ministry for six years.