1 Timothy 6:2

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. AND, [ De (G1161)] - 'But.' The opposition is between Christian slaves under the yoke of pagan, and those that have believing masters (he does not say "under the yoke" in this case, for service under believers is not a yoke). Connect thus, 'Let them (the slaves) not, because they (the masters) are brethren (and so equals, masters and slaves alike being Christians), despise (take liberties with) them' (the masters). BUT RATHER ... - but all the more (with the greater good will) do them service, because they (the masters) are faithful (i:e., believers) and beloved (of God) who receive [in the interchange of reciproca...

2_Who have believing masters _The name of _brother _may be thought to constitute equality, and consequently to take away dominion. Paul argues, on the contrary, that slaves ought the more willingly to subject themselves to believing masters, because they acknowledge them to be children of God, and are bound to them by brotherly love, and are partakers of the same grace. (116) It is no small honor, that God has made them equal to earthly lords, in that which is of the highest importance; for they have the same adoption in common with them; and therefore this ought to be no slight inducement to bear slavery with patience. _They are believers and beloved _It is an additional argument, that slavery is much more easily endured under mild lords, who love us, and whom we love in return. There is also the bond of faith which binds very closely together those who are of different conditions. T

1-5 Christians were not to suppose that religious knowledge, or Christian privileges, gave them any right to despise heathen masters, or to disobey lawful commands, or to expose their faults to others. And such as enjoyed the privilege of living with believing masters, were not to withhold due respect and reverence, because they were equal in respect to religious privileges, but were to serve with double diligence and cheerfulness, because of their faith in Christ, and as partakers of his free salvation. We are not to consent to any words as wholesome, except the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; to these we must give unfeigned consent. Commonly those are most proud who know least; for they do not know themselves. Hence come envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings, disputes that are all subtlety, and of no solidity, between men of corrupt and carnal minds, ignorant of the truth and its san...

Verse 1 Timothy 6:2. _AND THEY THAT HAVE BELIEVING MASTERS_] Who have been lately converted as well as themselves. _LET THEM NOT DESPISE_ THEM] Supposing themselves to be their equals, because they are their brethren in Christ; and grounding their opinion on this, that in _him there is neither male nor_ _female, bond nor free_; for, although all are equal as to their _spiritual privileges_ and state, yet there still continues in the order of God's providence a great disparity of their _station_: the _master_ must ever be in this sense _superior_ to the _servant_. _BUT RATHER_ do them _service_] Obey them the more cheerfully, because they are _faithful_ and _beloved; faithful_ to God's grace, _beloved_ by him and his true followers. Partakers

AND THEY THAT HAVE BELIEVING MASTERS - Masters who are Christians. It is clear from this, that Paul supposed that, at that time, and under those circumstances, a man might become a Christian who had slaves under him. How long he might continue to hold his fellow-men in bondage, and yet be a Christian, is, however, quite a different question. It is quite clear, from the New Testament, as well as from facts now, that God may convert people when pursuing any kind of wickedness. The effect of religion, however, in all cases, will be to lead them to cease to do wrong. It is by no means improbable that many of those who had owned slaves, in accordance with the prevailing custom in the Roman empire, may have been converted - for the fact that a man has been living a life of sin does not prevent the possibility of his conversion. There is no evidence that Paul refers here to any who had bought s...

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 6:1 _Are servants _for _servants as are_,_ _A.V.;_ the doctrine _for _his doctrine_,_ _A.V. SERVANTS; literally, _slaves_._ _That slaves formed a considerable portion of the first Christian Churches may be inferred from the frequency with which their duties are pressed upon them (see 1 Corinthians 7:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:11,...

AND THEY THAT HAVE BELIEVING MASTERS,.... That believe in one God, in opposition to the Gentiles, that held many gods, and in Jesus Christ, in distinction from the Jews; who believed in him with the heart, and professed him with their mouths, and held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. What is said before, is said to servants that had unbelieving masters; who would be ready to blaspheme, should they act amiss. Servants were under a snare both ways, through the insinuations of false teachers; who suggested, that their servitude was not consistent with their Christian liberty; that they ought not to serve wicked men, because being called of God, they were advanced above them; nor good men, because they were upon a level with them. But the apostle teaches another doctrine; LET THEM NOT DESPISE [THEM], BECAUSE THEY ARE BRETHREN; of the same family named of Christ, and of the same ho...

CHAPTER 6 _ 1. Concerning servants (1 Timothy 6:1)_ 2. Concerning those who oppose (1 Timothy 6:3) 3. Concerning contentment and temptation (1 Timothy 6:6) 4. The final exhortations (1 Timothy 6:11) 1 Timothy 6:1 Servants (slaves) who had pagan masters were to count them worthy of all honor, and thus bear a good testimony for the truth, that the Name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed. Theirs was a blessed opportunity to show forth the excellencies of Him whom they served, and who once served

1 Timothy 6:1 A. SLAVES. Christianity freed slaves by evolution rather than revolution. A grave social peril would have arisen in the first century had slaves misinterpreted their liberty in Christ (pp. 649 f.). Timothy must guard against this (_cf._ Colossians 3:22; Ephesians 6:5; 1 Peter 2:18). The Gospel's honour demands loyalty even to heathen masters (Titus 2:9 f.). If those who would benefit by the slaves-' fuller service are fellow-believers, they should be served the _more_ loyally....

Let all those who are slaves under the yoke hold their own masters to be worthy of all respect, in order that no one may have an opportunity to speak evil of the name of God and the Christian teaching. If they have masters who are believers, let them not try to take advantage of them because they are brothers, but rather let them render even better service, because those who lay claim to that service are believers and beloved. Beneath the surface of this passage there are certain supremely important Christian principles for everyday life and work. The Christian slave was in a peculiarly difficult position. If he was the slave of a heathen master, he might very easily make it clear that he regarded his master as bound for perdition and himself as the heir of salvation. His Christianity might well give him a feeling of intolerant superiority which would create an impossible situation. On...