Sermon Summary
This week we resumed our sermon series in First Peter and it is a challenging one. The Apostle deals with two “hot-button” issues - politics and slavery. 1 Pet. 2:11 begins by reminding Christians across asia minor in the Roman empire that they are “Beloved” and as such are to abstain from the passions of the flesh. He then goes on to tell them “keep your conduct around 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” (1 Pet. 2:12). Some translations use the word “slander” for what is happening to these Christians. Why? We don’t know for sure. We know from Acts that the Synagogue leaders sometimes stirred the population against them (ex. Acts. 14.2). It could also be that Christians (like the Jews) were odd in their belief that there was only one God among a population that had many.
The Christians also may have also been isolating themselves too much from their neighbors. The answer is probably a mix of these reasons. Peter uses “Gentiles” to talk about non-Christians here and then goes on to instruct them “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.” As I related in the sermon, my scholarship found that the word translated “be subject” or “submit” is ηυποτασσο (hoop-ot-as'-so) and can mean “array” as a soldier fits into an army array. It can also mean “integrate” or “fit in.” These translations have more of a virtuous or positive connotation. Scholars such as Troy W. Martin have expounded on this convincingly for me.
There is a tendency to think that “being subject” to human institution was just a pragmatic thing, but I think this is to misread the Apostle Peter. As difficult (and sometimes unjust) as being subject is, there is a godliness in obedience. God does ordain authority for whatever reason. (Consider the exiles of the OT). At the same time, St. Peter is not making a case for blind obedience for the Christian Roman citizen. He is clear that this is “for the Lord’s sake” (vs. 13) and “Fear God” comes before “Honor the Emperor” in 1 Peter 2:17).
The Apostle instructions Christian slaves to “be subject to your masters…not just the good and gentle but also the unjust” (vs. 18). is not defending or endorsing slavery. It’s hard for us as 21st Century Christians to read this, but the very fact that St. Peter is addressing these Christians dignifies them by suggesting that they are moral agents and not “living tools.” One can be an emperor or a slave and choose a path that is good or harmful to the soul. The slave is just as beloved as the emperor in God’s eyes! It is this principle which eventually led to emancipation. Christians are called to be good, even patriotic, citizens while fearing God. There is a lot more going on in this passage and you can watch the entire sermon here.
My Reflections
I put several questions in the bulletin this week taken from Juan R. Sanchez Jr.’s Bible Study Guide from the Good Book Company which really helped me.
What motivations does Peter give for submitting (v. 15, 20)?
When is being subject hardest? How does this challenge you?
How is “honoring” more than submission? How do we honor those we disagree with?
Where does our duty to obedience end?
I think the motivation for submission that Peter gives is for the sake of God and out of fearing God. God is supremely Good as well as supremely powerful. When we entrust ourselves to Him it means the weight of the world is not on us. We don’t have to make it happen. Submission to God lets us good-heartedly submit to imperfect human institutions and human leaders. The Lord Jesus Himself says,
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)
There is also the comfort of God’s supremacy in the assurance of Romans 8:38
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)
Being Subject or arraying oneself in accordance with human institutions is difficult because it obedience to even the perfect God of the universe is difficult. It is part of our sinful nature to not want to submit to anyone. But submitting and honoring human institutions builds in us godly virtues like humility and mortifies pride. It also makes others say, “Huh?” because it is not the usual way.
I have difficulty submitting to human institutions. Once you have any up-close view of the government you realize it is very flawed. The same can be said for churches. But the opposite of honoring them is to have chaos. Stable Civil society allows for spiritual reflection and growth. The fact is that all of us need such institutions. God would have us not just submit to them but honor them. We live in a very cynical era where institutions are constantly being undermined and overthrown. This is leading to a great deal of instability and vice (in the name of “freedom”). Christians need to take this chapter to heart and ask themselves how they are interacting with society. We are not called to separate and throw rocks from the outside. It is difficult, but we must model honor so we can call to account when necessary.
Honoring human institutions is next level. But, dishonoring them undermines them. Some institutions, like slavery needed to be undermined, but fascinatingly it was those like (William Wilberforce) who otherwise honored the government that were effective in accomplishing the abolition of slavery.
The founders of the United States were not really revolutionaries. The entire Declaration of Independence is a lengthy argument for why they could rightly and justly rebel against George III. It is the men and women who honor leaders and submit to all things but those contrary to God’s law that reform well. Christians need to be in politics, not run away from it. It is our duty to make the order better by being a lively part of it. But it is difficult and messy and will always be this side of the heavenly kingdom.
“Christianity does not remove us from nation life. When it is said that Christians are not of this world it does not mean not of this nation…As Christians we share in national blessings and privileges, and are as much part of the nation as non-Christians. Grace does not destroy or set aside natural relationships, whether of the family or of the State. On the contrary, it sanctifies and uplifts them.” (The Principles of Theology, 476). The Rev. W.H. Griffith Thomas, D.D.