Endure Grief

1Peter 2:18-20 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 

‘Be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward’ three commands are given to servants (all of us serving in work and at home): Be subject to masters with fear, not to the good ones only (2:18). Suffer wrongs patiently (2:19-20) and follow Christ’s example in suffering for righteousness (2:21).

‘Froward’ the Greek word skolios translated froward (the contrary, 1Pet. 2:18); untoward (i.e., stubborn, Acts 2:40); and crooked (Luke 3:5; Php. 2:15). Your time belongs to your master. If he wastes your time, let him answer for it.

‘For conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully’ let them that suffer for well-doing endure it and commit themselves to God who is faithful to avenge all such (Heb. 10:30-31). All sufferings for doing right will work to your good (Rom. 8:28), providing you take the right attitude (Matt. 5:10; Luke 6:22-23).

‘For what glory is it, if, when you be buffered for your faults, you shall take it patiently?’ there is no honour in suffering with patience when guilty of wrongdoing because the honour lies in not to transgress at all. ‘But if, when you do well and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God’ if we do, however, suffer for no wrong-doing, we should do it with patience, for this is the attitude Christ had when crucified (2:21-23).

Six things to do in view of suffering: Be happy in suffering (3:14; Matt. 5:10); be not afraid of man (3:14; Matt. 10:28); be not troubled by trouble (3:14); take suffering as unto God and hold Him sacred in your heart (3:15); be ready to give an account of your life, conduct, and hope (3:15); maintain a good conscience by good behaviour (3:16).