Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Servants (oi oiketai). Note article with the class as with andrev (I Peter 3:7), though not with gunaikev (I Peter 3:1). Oikethv, old word from oikov (house), means one in the same house with another (Latin domesticus), particularly house servants (slaves) in distinction from the general term doulov (slave). "Ye domestics." See similar directions to Christian servants (slaves) in Colossians 3:22-25; Ephesians 6:5-7; I Timothy 6:1 f.; Titus 2:9 f. Oikethv in N.T. occurs only here, Luke 16:13; Acts 10:7; Romans 14:4.
Be in subjection (upotassomenoi). Present middle participle of upotassw, common late compound to subject oneself to one (Luke 2:51). Either the participle is here used as an imperative (so in I Peter 3:1, I Peter 3:7) as in Romans 12:16 f., or the imperative este has to be supplied (Robertson, Grammar, p. 945).
To your masters (toiv despotaiv). Dative case of despothv, old word for absolute owner in contrast with doulov. It is used also of God (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24, Acts 4:29) and of Christ (II Peter 2:1; Judges 1:4). Kuriov has a wider meaning and not necessarily suggesting absolute power.
To the good and gentle (toiv agaqoiv kai epieikesin). Dative case also with the article with class. For epieikhv see on James 3:17. There were slave-owners (masters) like this as there are housekeepers and employers of workmen today. This is no argument for slavery, but only a sidelight on a condition bad enough at its best.
To the froward (toiv skolioiv). "To the crooked." Old word, also in Luke 3:5; Acts 2:40; Philippians 2:15. Unfortunately there were slave-holders as there are employers today, like this group. The test of obedience comes precisely toward this group.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Peter 2:18:
Acts 4:24
1 Timothy 6:1
James 3:17
1 Peter 3:1
1 Peter 3:7
1 Peter 3:15
1 Peter 3:16
1 Peter 3:22
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