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called to submit

1 Peter 2:21-25 (JDV)

1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth;
1 Peter 2:23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

called to submit

The command that the house slaves were called to is “submit to every creature.” Their masters are fellow creatures, so the slaves are to submit to them — voluntarily, the same way Christ submitted to us. He did not go to the cross for us because we had authority over him. We did not. We do not. He has all authority over all things. His example is that of voluntarily submitting to the cross. The house slaves were to think of Jesus and continue to submit to their masters. Winning their masters to Christ was worth suffering if need be.

Peter has the gospel in mind, not any contrived doctrine of governance and authority.