God had created people to have dominion over all creatures (Genesis 1:26–27), but not over other people. The form of slavery for which he gave legislation to Israel (Exodus 21:1–32; Leviticus 25:39–46; Deuteronomy 15:12–18) was a far cry from the slavery common in the Greek and Roman world of Peter’s day (or of the North American world in the more recent past). In Peter’s day, slaves had only capital value and no rights, so a master could legally do with his slave whatever he wished. Given the Old Testament background, we would expect Peter to use the opportunity to encourage Christians to push back against the unbiblical system of slavery of their day. Surely the instruction to “honor everyone” (1 Peter 2:17) would include an honest effort to transform society to be rid of this evil “human institution” (1 Peter 2:13). But Peter does nothing of the sort; he instead instructs household servants to be subject to their masters out of fear of God, whether the master is good or cruel, gentle or crooked.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.