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1 Peter 2:18
We may feel our boss takes advantage of us. He may not pay us what we are worth. He may make us work longer hours than we feel that we should. He may put the pressure on regarding the Sabbath, the holy days, or the Feast of Tabernacles. He may give us work that is beneath our dignity or for which we are overqualified, and we may not feel challenged. There all kinds of ways we can feel pressure from employers.
In these kinds of situations, Peter is not saying we should not compromise at all. He is saying for the Lord's sake, that is, out of regard for Him, we are to control ourselves so we do not rebel. To allow our emotions to have free reign to the point of rebellion is the same as calling God into account—that is, we are (at least indirectly) telling Him that He does not know how to run His creation.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Satan (Part 4)
1 Peter 2:17-21
There is oppression and abuse all over the world. "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." People abuse when they amass power'whether it be in the family, in the community, or in the nation. There is plenty of abuse of authority. In this nation, we are moving rapidly toward the time when Christians will be abused far worse than they have ever been in the past. We have been called to this'to submit to evil out of respect for God, out of faith. This does not mean we are submit to do evil, but to submit to God in the face of evil.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Submitting (Part 2)Related Topics: Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely | Power Corrupts | Submission to Authority | Submission to God | Submission to God's Will | Submission to GovernmentOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing 1 Peter 2:18:
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What Does 1 Peter 2:18 Mean?
Employers may take advantage of workers—underpaying them, demanding excessive hours, pressuring them regarding the Sabbath and holy days, or assigning demeaning work. Yet Peter does not call for total compromise, but for self-control out of regard for God, so that emotions do not lead to rebellion. Allowing emotions free reign to rebellion effectively tells God He does not know how to run His creation. Oppression and abuse exist everywhere, and Christians are called to submit to evil out of respect for God and faith—not to do evil, but to submit to God in the face of evil. What is commendable is devotion to God, not merely enduring suffering. Jesus, though possessing discernment about His revilers, opened not His mouth, living within His human authority, trusting God to vindicate Him.