Ethical difficulties that offend the moral sensibilities of many readers emerge from various biblical texts. In this case, some contend that condoning dehumanizing slavery is taught in 1 Peter 2:18-21. According to this text,

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. ²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Does the biblical author here condone the harsh and abusive treatment of slaves by their masters?

In this text, the author, writing around c. 80s CE, is trying to make a powerful point. Generally, he teaches that individuals who obediently and willingly follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ (c. BCE 4-33 CE) are to remain godly in their conduct. In particular, they are to do so even in situations where they experience abuse, such as, in this case, under a master who treats them harshly. The author’s rationale is that the perseverance of godly conduct in such situations renders the individual’s life a medium or canvass through which God’s love, holiness, forgiveness, and mercy are demonstrated to others, including abusers and those who do evil.

Further, one must keep in mind the apocalyptic theology and the expectations of an imminent end to human history held by the biblical authors and the early Jesus followers. The author of 1 Peter believed that Jesus Christ would return to judge humanity and that this would occur very soon in the lives of the early Christians. It therefore makes sense why the author uses a “worst-case scenario” example of a slave who is treated harshly by his master. It is a poignant effort to stress the urgency of staying true to faith in times of trial and strife.

Appreciating this context indicates that the author does not condone the abuse of slaves or their ill treatment by harsh masters. What the author does emphasize is that if the slave, who is a follower of Jesus Christ, finds himself is this unfortunate situation in which he experiences ill treatment, he must persevere in his faith since, after all, Jesus Christ’s return is imminent and just around the next corner. 

Perseverance under such conditions is, therefore, particularly valuable to God as it serves not only to ensure one’s own salvation—purchased by Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross— by keeping strong in faith but also because it may function as a means to bring unbelievers to salvation. This unbeliever includes the individual who commit acts of evil, such as, in this case, an abusive slave master.