“Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh” (1 Peter 2:18 NIV).
As we consider the Biblical teachings that touch upon the subject of slavery, we should first note that people throughout much of human history did not perceive slavery as an immoral institution. Unfortunately, a great moral wrong like slavery has an opportunity to take root and flourish as a cultural norm whenever a society fails to recognize the God of the Scriptures. Jesus illustrated this unfortunate reality when He observed, “You know that in this world kings are tyrants and officials lord it over the people beneath them” (Matthew 20:25 NLT).
In light of this, any society that truly seeks to honor God will reject the master/slave relationship model. A society that acknowledges the fact that a just and fair Creator will eventually hold human beings accountable for their actions will renounce such relationships. Nevertheless, Jesus made another observation that relates to our topic: “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34 NIV). With this in mind, we shouldn’t be surprised to find historical instances of physical enslavement among those who were spiritually enslaved.
This brings us to the historical background for this passage. You see, the Roman Empire (which controlled most of the known world at the time of this letter) accepted the institution of slavery as part of it’s national economy. There were approximately sixty million human beings who were under the yoke of slavery during that era, a number that may have comprised up to half the population of the Roman Empire.
Slaves within the Roman Empire were recognized as the property of their owners and were viewed no differently than we might view a household appliance today. As one commentator observes, ” The dominant fact in the life of a slave was that, even if he was well treated, he remained a thing. He did not possess even the elementary rights of a person and for him justice did not even exist.” (1)
So, just as we would dismiss the concept of justice for a mistreated automobile or home appliance, the same was true of a first-century slave. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle summarized this reality with the following observation: “…a slave is a living tool, just as a tool is an inanimate slave.” (2)
These realities thus provide us with some historical context for these remarks. But while some may view this passage as an expression of support for slavery, we’ll identify the key element that served to undermine the master/slave relationship model next.
(1) Barclay, William. William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, “The Duty Of The Christian As A Servant (1Pe_2:18-25).”
(2) Nicomachean Ethics