The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 117

Vers. 18-25.-Servants urged to patient enduran~ of undeserved suffering. Ilaving dealt with the charactel' becoming tho Christian citizen, he rasses to that bcc0ming the Christian servant. Prnbably the Churches addrestiecl were composed largely uf that class, who, however, were scarcely above the rank of slaves; and these are here called mainly to endurance because, probably, they were expose;! to considerable oppression. Paul gives a more complete teaching on the duty of the Christian servant. Peter here contemplates him rather as a sufferer-from overwork, unreaso □ able demand-', the jealousy of fellow-servants, misl'epresentation, cruelty ; and he says in effect, " As to work, your master's treatment of you is to make no difference to your fidelity;" as to suffering, 'this is thank worthy,'" etc. This passage is characteristic of Peter. Com- pare what be records in his own Gospel (Mark xiv. 53-66). Are not both these events hidden beneath the text? 'l'he events of that solemn night when he heard Jesus say," I have given you an example," were burned into his memory. Uppermost in his thought of Jesus wonld be that of patient endurance, as when he answered the high priest nothing, and his servant's denial by a look. I. '1'1rn PERSONS ADDRESSED, "Servants." That is: 1. In lowly life there may be the working out of noblest principles. Remember that the apostle has taken ver. 12 for his text in this second section of the Epistle. What more could the cultured and influential do than he there requires, but which be urges here on sbves? At any rate, it ranks high in Christian service. 'l'be greatest principles of grace can be exemplified in the humblest position. As the Son of God was in the Babe of Bethlehem as truly as he is on the eternal throne, the love of God may inspire us, the will of God be done by us, and the glory of God secured by us, in the humblest ranb and tasks as in the highest. 2. Where no great deed is apparent, there may be the greatest victories. These servants were not called to prominent places in Church lire, nor to activity in public events, nor to anything the world counts great, but to patient endurance. Yet is any- thing harder, and therefore, greater? It requires greater force of Christian character to suffer than to act; many eyes are fixed on action, in suffering we are cast almost wholly 011 the unseen. Was not Christ's power in his sufferings? Not before his miracles, but before his cross, the world bows with awe. Just as his own nine beatitudes reach their highest point in "Blessed are ye when men shall revile," etc. Let the sufferer, him with few talents, him who is oppressed, know that in enduring well be may rank with Jesus Christ's nobility. 3. Untoward circumstances may be used to the highest results. It seems a. misfortune to be oppressed, but these verses show how much is rossiblo by endurance. '!'hen we can exemplify Divine grace," for this is grace, if a man for," etc.; we can constrain others to "glorify God in the day of visitation;" we can in thid important point follow Christ; and we can secure much of that personal godliness which was the end for whicu be died-" that we might live unto righteousness." There is no abiding satisfaction without travail of soul; life's storms may cast up rare treasure to our feet. II. THE DUTY F.:NFORCF.D. Patient endurance of undeserved suffering. 1. Notice that the endurnnce must be undeserved. Scripture consoh\tions are often taken by ~ufferers who ba.ve no right to them, Much of our suffering is deserved-e.g. bad  112 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. [err. u. 1-25.