1 Peter 2:11-25
Read 1 Peter 2:11-25
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Discuss
What stood out to you from the passage? Was there anything you found difficult or surprising?
What reason does Peter give Christians for doing good in verse 12? How does that help us understand what he says next about living under governments and serving under masters?
What does it mean to respect and submit to those in authority (verses 13–17)? What limits might there be?
In verses 19–20, how does Peter distinguish between suffering for doing wrong and suffering for doing good?
Why does it matter that Peter is speaking to people suffering injustice, rather than telling those in power what they can demand? How could confusing the two cause harm
What stands out to you about the way Jesus faced injustice in verses 21–23?
How does trusting God to judge justly help us give up revenge without giving up the pursuit of justice?
How do verses 24–25 deepen your understanding of why Jesus suffered and what his death means for the way we live?
Apply
When do you find it hardest to respect someone in authority? In that situation, what might it look like to show respect, even if you need to disagree or speak up?
Are there any ways that you are you experiencing or mistreatment at work or elswhere? What might following Jesus look like in that context?
Pray