1 Timothy 6:1

It would appear that slaves formed. considerable element in the early church. “The very difficulty of their position made it necessary that Timothy direct special instructions to them” (Hiebert p. 106). In fact, there are many passages in the New Testament that address the responsibilities of slaves (1 Corinthians 7:21; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; 1 Peter 2:18). The Roman world was full of slaves, some estimate 60 million in the First Century and this included “high class” slaves as well as menial servants.

1 Timothy 6:1 “Let”: The slave still has his freewill, he may have. human master but he still must master himself, his emotions, feelings, attitudes and behavior. The very fact that the Bible expects so much of slaves proves that the Bible did not view slaves as less than human or on the same level as an animal or tool.

1 Timothy 6:1 “All who are under the yoke as slaves”: God is no respecter of persons, this applies to every Christian in the situation of slavery. The expression “under the yoke” indicates. bond service to. master, and is figuratively used of any burden. The expression admits that the condition of the slave was not easy and that it could be very oppressive. “The heathen estimate of. slave differed in degree, not in kind, from their estimate of cattle” (Hiebert p. 107). “Calls attention to the fact that in the first century world, men and women slaves were regarded as little more than cattle, and the power of the master over the slave was almost absolute, like that over his yoke-animals” (Reese p. 261). God understands what the slave is going through.

1 Timothy 6:1 “To regard their own masters as worthy of all honor”: “They are to have an inner attitude of genuine respect for their masters which finds outward expression in word, manner, and conduct” (Hiebert p. 107).. temptation for the slave who became. Christian might be to assume that since he was free in Christ (Galatians 3:28), he was also free in other areas as well. “Their new-found liberty in Christ gave them no warrant for less faithful service” (Kent p. 189). Note that God did not advocate revolution, but godliness. The Christian is obligated to behave as. Christian in whatever state he or she is in. This would be especially difficult if. master was cruel, yet God does not give the slave the right to dishonor even. cruel master (1 Peter 2:18 ff).

1 Timothy 6:1 “So that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against”: There is something far more important than the physical freedom or comfort of the slave, what is really important is God's reputation and how unbelievers view Christianity. If the Christian slave rebelled, the unbeliever would claim that Christian slaves were not as dependable as non-Christian slaves. “The Christian slave's motive must be ‘that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed'. His concern for the honor of God and the doctrine, which he has accepted, must increase his zeal for his master's service. For Christian slaves to show themselves as disobedient and rebellious would immediately discredit Christianity with their masters and brand the new religion as subversive to society” (Hiebert pp. 107-108). For. slave who had become. Christian to show disrespect to his master would only reinforce in the master's mind that the only change that Christianity brought to this slave was to make him restless, discontented, dissatisfied, and disobedient.

Note that the name of God, or God's reputation and the “doctrine” are linked together. We must seek to do nothing that would bring reproach upon God's reputation or what the Bible teaches. “These must not be exposed to ridicule and abuse” (Reese p. 262). Compare with 2 Samuel 2:14 and Romans 2:24. Earlier in this letter the same basic point had been made, that is, we must not give occasion by our actions or attitude for people to find. cause to speak against Christ and the Gospel (1 Timothy 5:7; 1 Timothy 5:14). Let us remember that we are representing God and His truth every day.