Bible Strands
1 Peter 2:18
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author Peter addresses enslaved individuals within early Christian house churches. He issues this instruction immediately after commanding universal respect for society and civil authorities.
The words — ὑποτασσόμενοι (hupotassomenoi) literally means "be subject" or "submit," and φόβῳ (phobō) translates as "fear" or "respect." These terms frame the required posture as one of deliberate, respectful alignment rather than passive compliance.
The thread — This directive runs parallel to the household instructions in Ephesians 6:5, Colossians 3:22, and Titus 2:9. Each passage ties domestic obedience to the broader pattern of Christian conduct and reverence for God.
Why it lands — The text commands enslaved readers to maintain respectful submission to masters regardless of the masters' fairness or character. It requires practical obedience that acknowledges divine awareness even while enduring unjust treatment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
Cross-references
- Titus 2:9 Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
- Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
- Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
- 1 Timothy 6:1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
- Proverbs 3:32 for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.
- Psalms 101:4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil.
- Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
- Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Proverbs 11:20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.