"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If of the world my kingdom were, my subordinates would have been fighting, that I might not be betrayed to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here.”1
This word for subordinates, "minister, officer, servant" (from hypó, "under" and ēressō, "to row") – properly, a rower. It is often translated as servants but it differs from servant, oikétēs (from oíkos, "house") – properly, a household-servant working for a family, implying it is done with affection and devotion. The disciples were not officers and subordinates in an earthly kingdom of this world, they were family, of the house of God, their devotion to Christ was of affection and love.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?"2
Here we see another word for servant, doulos, "slave," properly, someone who belongs to another. "Blessed is that slave whom his master will find so doing when he comes."3 A faithful slave is one who gives them their food, this is as Jesus told Peter, feed my sheep. The evil slave says in his heart the master delays, lets eat and drink and be merry, and he begins to "lord" over his fellow servants, he beats (wounds, inflects punishment) on these.4 This is the position of overseer Peter writes about, these are slaves to Chist. Those evil servants would be those who hurt the least of these His children, "who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?" We see an important concept here, leaders are slaves in the Kingdom of God, to Christ and their fellow servants.5
"For the Lord’s sake, be subject to every human institution, whether the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him sent, towards justice to evildoers and praise for those who do good."6
These scriptures must be read in whole. The Confederacy was devastated when they lost the war as many believed God was on their side, they had justified slavery using scriptures. During the time of Peter there were literal slaves and bond-servants, many of these scriptures were written specifically to them and must be seen in that light. We see this important concept, a slave had no other option than to submit or run away. Slavery should not exist today and we see another important concept, such speaks of subjection to just authority; be subject to every human institution... towards justice to evildoers and praise for those who do good.
"Indeed, this is gracious, for the sake of conscience toward God, one endures griefs and sufferings."11
We see in context of Peter talking to literal slaves, and submission to "just" authority, we keep this in mind. But now lets look at unjust authority. Surely this type of suffering from authority should not be happening within the body of Christ, such would be an attack against the Church itself, against the servants of Christ. The purpose of the Church is build up others, not lord over them tearing them down. We see the persecuted Church, those under authority that would attack them as an abusive master would a slave. Here they submit to such authority graciously without denying the truth, they boldly proclaim the gospel. Notice, "for the sake of conscience toward God."
"For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience?"12
Many African Americans graciously submitted to unjust authority, for the sake of conscience toward God. The Bible speaks of such a servant role of humble submission to unjust authority, like seen in the movie "The Butler." Martin Luther King understood such, but also that this is not always the path God leads everyone. Such a battle against unjust authority, is where another man's conscience doesn't determine his own, God is their judge. King understood the children of God are peacemakers, and that those who seek First his Kingdom, these seek First Righteousness, he quoted the prophet Amos...
"let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."14
Jesus made clear His Kingdom is not of this world, his family doesn't fight nor betray as the world does. A slave has no inheiritance but a son has such rights, and they serve other family members with affection and devotion as to the Son. His kingdom is not from here and those of His Kingdom bear witness to the Truth. “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”15
This word for subordinates, "minister, officer, servant" (from hypó, "under" and ēressō, "to row") – properly, a rower. It is often translated as servants but it differs from servant, oikétēs (from oíkos, "house") – properly, a household-servant working for a family, implying it is done with affection and devotion. The disciples were not officers and subordinates in an earthly kingdom of this world, they were family, of the house of God, their devotion to Christ was of affection and love.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?"2
Here we see another word for servant, doulos, "slave," properly, someone who belongs to another. "Blessed is that slave whom his master will find so doing when he comes."3 A faithful slave is one who gives them their food, this is as Jesus told Peter, feed my sheep. The evil slave says in his heart the master delays, lets eat and drink and be merry, and he begins to "lord" over his fellow servants, he beats (wounds, inflects punishment) on these.4 This is the position of overseer Peter writes about, these are slaves to Chist. Those evil servants would be those who hurt the least of these His children, "who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?" We see an important concept here, leaders are slaves in the Kingdom of God, to Christ and their fellow servants.5
"For the Lord’s sake, be subject to every human institution, whether the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him sent, towards justice to evildoers and praise for those who do good."6
These scriptures must be read in whole. The Confederacy was devastated when they lost the war as many believed God was on their side, they had justified slavery using scriptures. During the time of Peter there were literal slaves and bond-servants, many of these scriptures were written specifically to them and must be seen in that light. We see this important concept, a slave had no other option than to submit or run away. Slavery should not exist today and we see another important concept, such speaks of subjection to just authority; be subject to every human institution... towards justice to evildoers and praise for those who do good.
"Indeed, this is gracious, for the sake of conscience toward God, one endures griefs and sufferings."11
We see in context of Peter talking to literal slaves, and submission to "just" authority, we keep this in mind. But now lets look at unjust authority. Surely this type of suffering from authority should not be happening within the body of Christ, such would be an attack against the Church itself, against the servants of Christ. The purpose of the Church is build up others, not lord over them tearing them down. We see the persecuted Church, those under authority that would attack them as an abusive master would a slave. Here they submit to such authority graciously without denying the truth, they boldly proclaim the gospel. Notice, "for the sake of conscience toward God."
"For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience?"12
Many African Americans graciously submitted to unjust authority, for the sake of conscience toward God. The Bible speaks of such a servant role of humble submission to unjust authority, like seen in the movie "The Butler." Martin Luther King understood such, but also that this is not always the path God leads everyone. Such a battle against unjust authority, is where another man's conscience doesn't determine his own, God is their judge. King understood the children of God are peacemakers, and that those who seek First his Kingdom, these seek First Righteousness, he quoted the prophet Amos...
"let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."14
Jesus made clear His Kingdom is not of this world, his family doesn't fight nor betray as the world does. A slave has no inheiritance but a son has such rights, and they serve other family members with affection and devotion as to the Son. His kingdom is not from here and those of His Kingdom bear witness to the Truth. “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”15