Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 2:18

"Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward." — 1 Peter 2:18 (ASV)

Servants, be subject to your masters. For the duty commanded here, see the notes on Ephesians 6:5 and following. The Greek word used here (oiketai) is not the same as the one used in Ephesians (douloi). The word here properly means domestics—those employed about a house, or living in the same house—from oikov, house. These individuals might have been slaves, or they might not have been. The word would apply to them whether they were hired or owned as slaves.

The word should not and cannot be used to prove that slavery existed in the churches to which Peter wrote, and still less to prove that he approved of slavery or regarded it as a good institution. This exhortation would be, and still is, strictly applicable to any persons employed as domestics, even if they had voluntarily hired themselves out as such. It would be their duty, while they remained in that condition, to faithfully perform their duties as Christians and to bear with Christian meekness all the wrongs they might suffer from those in whose service they were.

Those who are hired and who must "go out to service" for a living are not always free from harsh treatment, for there are trials associated with that condition of life that cannot always be avoided. It might be better, in many cases, to endure much rather than attempt to change their situation, even if they were entirely at liberty to do so. It must be admitted, however, that this exhortation will have more force if it is supposed that the reference is to slaves, and there can be no doubt that many of this class were early converted to the Christian faith.

The word translated here as masters (despotaiv) is not the same as the one used in Ephesians 6:5 (kurioiv). Neither of these words necessarily implies that those who were under them were slaves. The word used here is applicable to the head of a family, whatever the condition of those under him may be. It is frequently applied to God and to Christ; and it cannot be maintained that those to whom God sustains the relation of despothv, or master, are slaves. (See the notes on Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 1:4; Revelation 6:10).

The word, indeed, is one that "might" be applied to those who were owners of slaves. If that is the meaning here, it is not said, however, that those to whom it is applied were Christians. It is rather implied that they were pursuing a course of action inconsistent with true piety. Those who were under them are represented as suffering grievous wrongs.

With all fear. That is, with all proper reverence and respect. (See the notes on Ephesians 6:6).

Not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. The word translated as froward (skolioiv) properly means crooked, bent; then perverse, wicked, unjust, peevish. Anyone who is a servant or domestic is liable to be employed in the service of such a master; but while the relation continues, the servant should faithfully perform his duty, whatever the character of the master may be.

Slaves are certainly liable to this; and even those who voluntarily engage as servants to others cannot always be sure that they will have kind employers. Though the terms used here do not necessarily imply that those to whom the apostle gave this direction were slaves, it may be presumed that they probably were, since slavery was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. However, the directions will apply to all who are engaged in the service of others and are therefore of permanent value.

Slavery will, sooner or later, under the influence of the gospel, wholly cease in the world, and instructions addressed to masters and slaves will then have no permanent value; but it will always be true that there will be those employed as domestics. It is the duty of all who are thus engaged to demonstrate true fidelity and a Christian spirit themselves, whatever the character of their employers may be.