As “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) Peter’s readers were to maintain an honourable form of conduct among the Gentiles with whom they lived (1 Peter 2:12). Part of the honourable conduct included being “subject … to every human institution” (1 Peter 2:13). One example of a “human institution” where honourable conduct was notoriously difficult was slavery. In the present passage, Peter draws out what submission within the context of this particular human institution looks like, even when the master is despotic.
18 Serviteurs, soyez soumis en toute crainte à vos maîtres, non seulement à ceux qui sont bons et doux, mais aussi à ceux qui sont d'un caractère difficile.