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"This is commendable"

Text: 1 Peter 2:19

SERVING UNDER HARSH CONDITIONS

The Apostle Peter was fully aware of what he was writing. To practise submission to good masters would be fairly straightforward. But to serve harsh or bad masters, that would be challenging!

“For this is commendable, if because of conscience
toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”
1 Peter 2:19

1. “For this is commendable”

a) The word “charis” is often translated “grace” (and correctly so).

b) But this word had many other nuances and possible translations.

c) The NKJV translators chose the word “commendable”, and correctly so.

i) It speaks of an attitude that is “pleasing”.

ii) It would be something that would win “approval”.

2. “If because of conscience toward God”

a) This is stated as a conditional sentence.

b) On the part of the domestic slave, he exercises his conscience toward God.

c) This manner of serving is commendable.

3. What is “conscience”

a) It involves knowledge and understanding of God.

b) This becomes a sense of moral rightness in his life (like a moral compass).

c) It serves as a guide to help the believer to do what is right.

i) The slave may not be able to read and write.

ii) He may not be able to own his own set of Scriptures.

iii) But he can still be guided by his conscience.

iv) God Himself will be his Teacher (He becomes one “taught-by-God”).

v) God writes in his heart and mind (Jeremiah 31:33).

vi) The believer seeks to live by his conscience that has been well-informed.

4. “One endures grief”

a) The word “endures” is another way of expressing “submission”.

b) One learns how to bear grief that would be experienced.

5. “Suffering wrongfully”

a) Suffering is anticipated and even expected.

b) Suffering wrongfully as a domestic servant:

i) Being scolded.

ii) Being blamed.

iii) Being ill-treated.

The servant who is able to bear these sufferings well, for the sake of conscience, are to be commended indeed!