Can Peter be serious? We have to submit ourselves to the authority of the government (2:13-14)? But what if we’re sure they are corrupt or crazy, or that they were illegitimately elected? Worse yet, Peter tells servants to be subject to their masters, even when those masters are unjust or even cruel (2:19-20).

All that is hard enough for us to understand. But wives having to be subject to their husbands (3:1)? Even if he’s wrong? Even if he’s being foolish? Even if he’s not a Christian? Husbands honor your wives (3:7)? What if she’s being completely unreasonable? What if she isn’t making any sense at all?

No, whether it be in the realm of politics, or the workplace, or the home, our natural tendency is to insist on our rights and to demand what we want, even if that means denigrating those who stand in our way. And so our political discourse has degenerated into vitriol and even violence. Our workplaces are disrupted by “sickouts” and lockouts. And of course when conflicts arise in marriages, each spouse has a tendency either to retreat into isolation, or to allow conflict to escalate into abuse, either physical or emotional.

But in every one of these relationships, Peter calls us instead to endure the sorrow of suffering unjustly (2:19). And why? Because that’s what Jesus did. That’s the example that Jesus set for us (2:21). For Jesus stood before Pilate, the unelected lackey of a military dictator, and refused to say anything in His own defense, in spite of the fact that He had done nothing wrong. Instead of trusting a human government to vindicate him, He trusted in God, the only One Who always judges justly (2:23).

So, what might happen if we proud Americans really were to follow Jesus’ example of humble submission in all our relationships? Might our good citizenship “put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (2:15)? Might wives win over their husbands through “respectful and pure conduct” (3:2)? Might husbands actually come to understand their wives and have their mutual prayer life strengthened (3:7)? And might all of us receive the grace of God when we suffer unjustly (2:19)?

I Peter 2:13-3:7 (ESV)

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
3 Do not let your adorning be external– the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear–
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.