Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Peter 2:18-25

"Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it], ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." — 1 Peter 2:18-25 (ASV)

Servants in those days were generally slaves and had heathen masters, who often treated them cruelly; yet the apostle directs them to be subject to the masters placed over them by Providence, with a fear of dishonoring or offending God. They were to be subject not only to masters pleased with reasonable service, but also to the severe, and to those angry without cause. The sinful misconduct of one party does not justify sinful behavior in the other; the servant is bound to do his duty, even if the master may be sinfully contrary and perverse.

But masters should be meek and gentle to their servants and inferiors. What glory or distinction could it be for professed Christians to be patient when corrected for their faults? But if, when they behaved well, they were badly treated by proud and passionate heathen masters, yet bore it without peevish complaints, or purposes of revenge, and persevered in their duty, this would be acceptable to God as a distinguishing effect of his grace and would be rewarded by him.

Christ's death was designed not only to be an example of patience under sufferings, but also for him to bear our sins; he bore their punishment and thereby satisfied divine justice. In this way, he takes our sins away from us. The fruits of Christ's sufferings are the death of sin and a new, holy life of righteousness. From his death and resurrection, we receive for both of these an example, powerful motives, and also the ability to live this new life. Moreover, Christ was bruised and crucified as a sacrifice for our sins, achieving our justification; and by his stripes the diseases of our souls are cured.

Here is man's sin: he goes astray; it is his own act. Here is his misery: he goes astray from the pasture, from the Shepherd, and from the flock, and so exposes himself to countless dangers. Here is the recovery by conversion: they have now returned as the effect of divine grace. This return is from all their errors and wanderings, to Christ. Sinners, before their conversion, are always going astray; their life is a continued error.