1 Peter 2:18-20 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Servants Οι οικεται, household servants, be subject to your masters Though heathen, in all things lawful; with all fear Of offending them or God; not only to the good The tender, kind; and gentle Mild, easy, forgiving; but also to the froward The ill-natured and severe. “In this verse,” as Macknight justly observes, “the apostle establishes one of the noblest and most important principles of morality, namely, that our obligation to relative duties does not depend either on the character of the persons to whom they should be performed, or on their performing the duties they owe to us, but on the unalterable relations of things established by God.” For this is thankworthy An acceptable thing to God. Greek, τουτο γαρ χαρις; literally, this is grace; that is, a grand proof of true grace; if a man for conscience toward God From a pure desire of pleasing him; endure grief Severe treatment; suffering wrongfully The apostle here refers to those punishments which, according to the customs of that age, tyrannical masters were allowed to inflict on their servants, however contrary to justice and mercy such punishments might be. For what glory Or praise; is it if, when ye be buffeted Corrected or beaten; for your faults For acts of manifest disobedience; ye shall take it patiently Since the punishment being just, it ought in reason to be borne. But if when ye do well Do your duty conscientiously; and suffer for it As if you had neglected it; ye take it patiently Receive it in a meek and quiet spirit; this is acceptable, or this is grace, with God His eye, which always observes every individual of his people, and all their actions, is pleased with such a disposition and behaviour, though exhibited in the lowest ranks of human life.