"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Commendable Conduct Before God (2:18-25)
Our last study introduced the importance of submission to human institutions that rule over us - 1 Pe 2:13-17. Now in verses 18-25, Peter addresses those who were servants, emphasizing again the principle of submission (READ) “Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
In the course of his instructions, Peter mentions conduct that is considered "commendable" before God... In the NKJV, the word "commendable" is used twice - 1 Pe 2:19, 20. The NASV translates it as "finds favor" . In this study, we shall consider what is commendable conduct before God, why it is considered commendable and how we can be sure to have this commendable conduct before God.
First of all, then, what is commendable conduct before God? Commendable conduct before God is to suffer patiently when mistreated for doing good. Consider the example given by Peter in our text. A servant is trying to serve his master well. For some reason, however, his master mistreats him. The servant "finds favor" in God's sight if he patiently and submissively endures the mistreatment! To put it in other words, when you are doing that which is good and despite it you are being mistreated, but you endure the unjust treatment patiently your patient forbearance is commendable in the sight of God!
Note carefully; it is not simply suffering patiently that is commendable, but suffering patiently when you did good, and yet are abused for it - 1 Pe 2:20 “For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
Is this applicable only in a master-slave relationship? No! Consider 1 Pe 3:13-14 “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;”, 17 “For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.”, where Peter speaks to brethren in general. In writing to servants, then, Peter is applying a general truth to a specific application. It is therefore applicable to any situation where we are told to submit... For example, in our relationship to government - 1 Pe 2:13 “Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;”. Another example, in a wife's relationship to her husband - 1 Pe 3:1 “In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;”. Another example would be in our relationship to one another - Ep 5:21 “subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.” So whenever we do good and suffer for it, to endure that suffering patiently is "commendable conduct before God." But that is hard! It is our natural inclination to resist and defend ourselves when we are "in the right" and being mistreated. Indeed, we want to "stand up for our rights."
To appreciate why patiently enduring suffering while doing good is commendable before God, let's address the question of why this conduct is commendable before God? Because we were call for this very purpose! Consider 1 Pe 2:21-23 “For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”. Christians are called to follow the example of Jesus. Just as He suffered patiently when mistreated without cause, so should we! We have therefore been called to respond to ill treatment with good treatment - cf. 1 Pe 3:9 “not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”; see also Lk 6:27-36.
In view of the potential good that can result note what Jesus accomplished by His patient forbearance to mistreatment done to Him! - 1 Pe 2:24-25 “who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” The forgiveness of our sins! The restoration of straying sheep back to their Shepherd! By following the example of Jesus, we can have an effect for good also. By returning good for evil, we are more likely to overcome evil - Ro 12:19-21 “Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” In this way we are more likely to change those who persecute us. For they are often ashamed when they see how we patiently endure their mistreatment by doing good.
Just as we were moved by the sacrificial death of Jesus for our sins, so we might best move others to change their evil ways by patiently doing good even when they mistreat us. That is why we have been called to follow the example of Jesus! Finally, there are a few suggestions to the question as to how we can be sure to have this commendable conduct? We will cover these in Part 2 of this lesson.
