Paragraph 2:18–25

Peter now deals with how Christian slaves should behave. The slaves must respect and obey their masters, even if their masters treat them harshly. God will bless the Christian slaves if they undergo suffering that they do not deserve (2:18–20). Christ has left us an example of how to behave in the face of undeserved suffering (2:21–25).

2:18a

Servants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Servants refers specifically to those slaves who worked within a household. Some versions such as the New International Version translate this word as:

Slaves (New International Version)

submit yourselves: Peter wanted his believing slaves to choose to respect their masters, as all believers were to respect their rulers. See how you translated this same command in 2:13a.

to your masters: The word masters refers to the owners, the people who had authority over the slaves. They could be either male or female. Here is another way to translate this word:

owners (God’s Word)

with all respect: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all respect means “greatly respect” or “respect very much.”

respect: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as respect is literally “fear.” Peter does not say whom his readers should respect or fear. Scholars suggest two possibilities:

(1) They should respect their masters. For example:

always show respect to them (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word; probably New American Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version, Revised Standard Version which use respect)

(2) They should fear God. This is the opinion of many commentators and is probably being followed by the NET Bible, which says:

with all reverence (NET Bible)

(NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

2:18b–c

not only…but even: The Greek phrases that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not only…but even introduce two objects, the first one expected but the second unexpected. Consider what would be the natural way of introducing two such objects in your language.

2:18b

those who are good and gentle: The phrase those who are good and gentle describes some masters. They are kind and considerate in the way they treat their slaves.

gentle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gentle means “mild, considerate.” Some other ways to translate this are:

thoughtful (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
reasonable (New Living Translation (2004))

2:18c

those who are unreasonable: The phrase those who are unreasonable refers to some others among the masters. These masters were treating their slaves in a harsh or hard way.

unreasonable: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unreasonable literally means “bent, crooked.” In this context it is the opposite of good and considerate and means “unjust, hard to please.” These masters probably often punished their slaves by beating them. Some other ways to translate this are:

cruel (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
unjust (Revised English Bible)

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