1 Peter 2:18-25

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Commentary
Vs. 18 "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh."

The Apostle Peter here commands that servants be submissive to their masters, with all fear, and not just to the good and gentle but also to the harsh. The exhortation given here for believing servants/slaves to be submissive towards their unbelieving masters, even the harsh, was given in a culture and time when such was often the norm. Nonetheless it was through the excellent witness and work of many early Christians in obedience to the gospel that would eventually overturn many of the Roman Empire's long established oppressive institutions and practices. And so, though this passage commands the submission of servants/slaves to their masters, (even harsh masters), it did not forbid their gaining their freedom if they lawfully could (1 Cor 7:20-24). Instead it was given to prevent the lawless rebellion of servants/slaves which would've wreaked havoc on the early church and it's witness (see 1 Tim 6:1-2). For though we have liberty In Christ, we are not at "liberty" to throw off all our earthly obligations and responsibilities. And so there are times when remaining at ones "post"; in whatever area of life this is for us; though it maybe difficult for a season; is still far better than abandoning it altogether. Now in regards to Christian servant/master relationships, it is commanded that servants not only submit to their masters, in all sincerity, but there also must be a mutual love and concern for each other, as well as a fair remuneration to all servants/slaves for their services rendered (see Ephesians 6:5-9; Col 4:1; Philem 16; also consider Deut 15:12-19). 

Vs. 19-20
"For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."

"For this is commendable...", the word used here is the word translated grace in the New Testament, and here is to indicate that in so doing, in enduring wrongs patiently, that we demonstrate the grace of God; not only that we have ourselves have received it, but by doing so, we hope that others might receive it as well (In this consider the Apostle Paul and Barnabas' wrongful beating and imprisonment and the positive results of their enduing that injustice well, see Acts 16:16-34).
That's the first half of the Apostle Peter's statement, the second is that "...if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully." That is the qualifier, because of conscience towards God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully (consider Matt 5:10). Thus suffering though wrongfully, because of ones conscience towards God, is what is commendable in the sight of God. Similarly suffering because one refuses to compromise their Christ centered values and integrity is likewise commendable in the sight of God, as opposed to merely suffering patiently because one has done something deserving of punishment (vs 20). Therefore we as believers are to live lives that are distinguished by not only doing good, but also suffering for what is good and right in the sight of God, as opposed to suffering because one has done something evil. That's the first part of Peter's exhortation, the second is just how we are to do that, and that is by following Jesus' example.

Vs. 21-23
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" vs. 21 Thus we are not only called by God to be partakers of the Lord Jesus Christ's salvation, but also His sufferings (Rom 8:17). For everyone who desires to live godly In Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Whether servants at the hands of their unbelieving masters, or more broadly believers everywhere, in every generation, from even family members and people once thought friends. That is an ongoing reality that each and every believer must accept and ultimately pass through, in seeking to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever generation one believes in Him (consider Matt 10:34-42). For the powers of darkness will always oppose the powers of light (consider Luke 23:53). That said, Jesus' suffering and just how He endured such hostility and injustice for us at lawless hands is to be our example, that we should follow His steps (vs. 21). “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (vs 22-23). For beginning with Jesus' plotted arrest, trial and scourging and ultimately the execution order given by Pontius Pilate for His Crucifixion death. Jesus remained sinless throughout the whole terrifying ordeal. Just as He had done during His life. Though tempted by Satan, threatened and plotted against by men. Jesus never retaliated, either verbally, physically or Spiritually. For neither against Rome, nor against anything written in the Law of God was Jesus found in violation of, either by the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducee's who watched Him with an intense scrutiny so as to find something to accuse Him of, or even during His feigned trial by the Sanhedrin council, where they had to produce their own false witnesses in order to find a fault with Him to bring Him before Pilate. Jesus truly had committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth. And so as verse twenty three expounds Jesus when reviled did not revile in return, when He suffered He did not threaten those who were hurting Him, rather He committed Himself to God who judges righteously. And thus we when faced with difficult people or circumstances we must learn to do the same.
Knowing that whatever wrongs, insults, injuries and or injustices that occur to us God will ultimately make right in the end. For God is a God of Justice blessed are those who wait for Him (Isaiah 30:18)! Thus our first focus must always be on how can I pass through is in a Christ like manner, rather than defaulting to the fleshes impulses to lash out at the ones harming, or seeking to harm us.

For again though all authority under heaven is given by God, not all who are in authority live and act Godly. That is a reality and thus our obedience towards such cannot be conditioned merely on how they first treat us (consider Matt 5:43-44). Both the Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul knew and experienced this first hand, as both were no strangers to being beaten and or imprisoned simply because they were being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ as gospel preachers and His church leaders (consider Acts 4:1-31; 5:17-42; 12:1-19; 13:49-52; 14:1-20; 16:16-40 etc). But they were never justly found to have violated nor incited rebellion against, nor disobedience towards any lawful authority or ordinance. On the contrary both were adamant that such submission is what we are called to as Jesus Christ's disciples. For again our submission to all lawful authority and ordinance is a reflection of our own submission (or not) to Jesus Christ and His Lordship of our lives (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
That said the Apostle's Paul and Peter in commanding our submission to lawfully authorities, and here enduring wrongs patiently, whether from lawfully authorities, or anyone else, is not commanding believers to submit themselves to cruel and abusive treatment from the hands of wicked and evil people. Who have neither authority, nor the right to abuse or afflict anyone. In such instances believers should again in seeking to follow Jesus' example conduct themselves as persons of peace, reconciliation, and justice, and thus turn the other cheek whenever possible personally, while always acting in the defense of those who are oppressed by such continually. For we must never be complacent towards, nor compliant with the abusive treatment of anyone. For domestic violence, child abuse, online, schoolyard, or workplace bullying, and or the physical, verbal, emotional or spiritual abuse of anyone is never to be tolerated, nor partaken in by anyone who calls on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and is seeking to do His Will. Thus though the commandment here is for submission of servants to their masters, even those who are harsh. The conduct of each and every believer should always be to seek to alleviate the suffering and oppression of all.

Vs. 24-25 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

These verse are given not just as an exhortation of what Jesus has done for us but are to be a motivation and ultimately empowering of us for righteous living, for Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree (that is the Roman cross on which He was crucified). So that we having died to sins by our faith in His Person (see Rom 6:1-14 to understand), might live for righteousness.
For it is only by Jesus' stripes, that is the horrific wounds and marring of His body by Roman scourging culminating with His Crucifixion death for our sins that we are healed (Isaiah 53, vs. 4-6). For it is only by Jesus' suffering our sins penalty and punishment that God's justice having been served. He now heals us. That is by reconciling us back to God by His death on the cross we now have new birth by the Holy Spirit the moment we believe in Him and thus we have new and evelasting life in the Kingdom of God with Him. For we were all like sheep going astray, but we have now through the Gospel returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. For that is the call of God through the Lord Jesus Christ to everyone, everywhere, to turn away from the powers darkness and return to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive remission of ones sins and everlasting life (see Acts 26:18-19).

I don't know where your at in your life but if you have strayed please return to God while you still can. For there is no sin so great, no failure so large, that God cannot forgive it the moment one turns from it and turns too or returns to Him! Therefore please friend and enemy alike be reconciled to God our Creator who loves you and me alike. Who sent Jesus to suffer and die for you and me so that we having our souls reconciled back to Him can spend our eternity with Him in perfect harmony and peace. For He will receive you, (just as He did me) when you receive what He has done to reconcile you back to Himself by faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. For there is no other way to know God (John 14:6) nor receive His love for you (John 3:16), than to simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead. And thus no other way to have lasting peace (John 14:27) or assurance in this life, other than to know that one belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:27-20).  The Overseer and Shepherd of God's flock who not only secures each and every one of us for eternity, but also watches over and cares for each and every one of us here and now who believes.
If you have not yet made that heart felt decision to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and just what He has done to save you (and me) from God's wrath that will come on those who do not believe, than please by all means do so now. By a simple prayer of faith (which is really just a confession to God that one believes in Jesus as testified to in the Scriptures (see Rom 10:9-10, 13), you can receive remission of all your sins and everlasting life.
Therefore if you believe simply pray something like this:
Dear Lord Jesus I believe that you were crucified for my sins remission, and that you were buried, and that three days later You rose again from the dead. Than forty days later you ascended back to God the Father, so that by doing so, You can both forgive me and heal me by Your Spirit whom You poured out into the world, who indwells everyone who believes in You bringing new and everlasting life the moment I believe in You. Therefore Lord Jesus I want You to come into me and do for me what neither I nor anyone else can do, and that is restore my soul back to God (Rev. 3:20). Therefore I now invite You Lord Jesus Christ into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, forever amen.



Word Studies
servants: household servants, or a personal servant, generally a servant (or a slave) who lived within their masters home and was lawfully bound under his/her authority. See Luke 16:13; Acts 10:7; Rom 4:14; 1 Peter 2:18 for N.T. usages (STR 3610; GK 3860; LN 46.5).
Compare δοῦλος slave/servant (STR 1400, 1401; GK 1528; TDNT 2.261; TDNTA 182; LN 87.76) 127x

submissive: be in subjection to, be obedient towards (STR 5293; GK 5718; TDNT 8.39; LN 36.18; 37.31) 40x
 
fear: fear as a state of terror; an occasion for, or source of fear; to regard someone or something with reverence (STR 5401; GK 5832; TDNT 9.189; LN 25.251; 25.254; 53.59) 47x


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982