Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 59

Paul Tells Timothy that he should Teach other Believers to Honor their Masters

1 Timothy 6:1-2 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed. 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. KJV

Paul now introduces yet another topic for Brother Timothy to consider as he leads or shepherds a flock of sheep in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and that being the ugly reality of that day, slavery. It might surprise some people to know that our Lord Jesus Christ never preached a sermon condemning slavery or directing the people of that day to rise up and revolt against slavery or did He ever chastise the Romans and other Gentiles or the Jews who were the owners of human slaves, yet He did not. Paul likewise walking as our Lord Jesus walked, never instructed Timothy or any other disciple of Jesus Christ to protest against slavery by marching on Rome or marching on the city of Jerusalem, but instead he declared these words to Brother Timothy just as he had already done to the believers in the Church @ Ephesus & the Church @ Colosse, "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed." (1 Timothy 6:1) (KJV). Christianity was not a religion and certainly it was not nor should it ever be a political organization, but Christianity is a relationship that is personal with the Creator God (Jesus Christ) who is solely in control of all things here on the earth and everywhere else in His Universes, as it is written again by the Apostle Paul to the Colossian Church with these words, "For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created {and} exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in {and} for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)." (Colossians 1:16-17) (Amplified Bible).

The English word 'servants' Paul uses at the beginning of 1 Timothy 6:1 is translated by the Greek word doulos which means (as it is used here) a slave literally and  involuntarily. When Paul writes, 'as are under the yoke', he means those that are bought and owned slaves (with no rights as a citizen where they reside) of unjust and even abusive slave masters. The little English phrase 'the yoke' is translated by the Greek word zugos which means (as it is used here)  (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation), it is living under a very hard and disagreeable condition and circumstance. Paul's desire here is that Christians who are slaves living under this heavy burden seek grace from our Lord Jesus Christ that they might not act out in violent revolt, rising up, or rebellion against their slave masters, but instead do the opposite and live in servitude under them, even as Paul instructed the Colossian believers to do with these words, "Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord {and} as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him. Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah)." (Colossians 3:22-24) (Amplified Bible). And this (what he wrote here to the Colossian Church) is what the Apostle means when he writes this to Timothy right now, 'count their own masters worthy of all honor'. Not that they actually are worthy of all honor, because they are not, but for Christ sake the Christian slave should do so, knowing that his or her honoring of their earthly masters is in reality their honoring of their Heavenly Master our Lord Jesus Christ.

The purpose Paul has for instructing Timothy to instruct Christian slaves is what he writes here at the end of this verse, 'that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed', which means that Paul sees the honor of Christ above the dishonor of any unruly, unholy, and unsaved tyrannical earthly master. The dependability of the Christian slave to his earthly master should be greater than that of the non-Christian slave. The Christian slave should so work, serve, and obey his earthly master, that it would cause the unjust master to stand up and take notice, which might cause him to come to Christ for salvation and eternal life, which is far greater than the temporary discomfort, disgrace, and damage done to the Christian slave. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning the relationship of Christian slaves to their masters, "Even these, in such circumstances, and under such domination, are commanded to treat their masters with all honor and respect, that the name of God, by which they were called, and the doctrine of God, Christianity, which they had professed, might not be blasphemed - might not be evilly spoken of in consequence of their improper conduct. Civil rights are never abolished by any communications from God’s Spirit. The civil state in which a man was before his conversion is not altered by that conversion; nor does the grace of God absolve him from any claims, which either the state or his neighbor may have on him. All these outward things continue unaltered."  Note: Paul never instructs or commands Brother Timothy to command all Christians who owned slaves to release them or remove their yoke or resolve them of their duties as their slaves." Instead Paul writes this to Timothy on how Christian slaves should conduct themselves with their Christian masters, "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." (1 Timothy 6:2) (KJV).

When Paul writes this in the first half of this verse, 'And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren', he means this exactly as it is written, for it would have been understandable (during this early time in the Church) that some of the Christian slaves would wonder why their Christian masters would not just release them or free them from their slavery, but Paul understood the time having grew up as a Jew seeing many Jewish religious rulers own slaves for personal and business purposes. So, Paul knew that many of the Christian masters could not afford to release or free their slaves, for it would have caused them and their family financial hardship to do so. Therefore, Paul instructs Timothy to exhort, encourage, and explain to Christian slaves these very facts, so that they would see their Christian master as a brother 'in Christ' and not as a slave master or owner. The little English phrase 'do them service' is translated by the Greek word douleuō which means (as used here) to be a slave to (literally and figuratively, but voluntarily so for Christ's sake, honor, and glory. Paul wanted Brother Timothy to teach and instruct and encourage this behavior to the Christian slaves with their Christian masters. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say in regard to the relationship between Christian slaves and their Christian masters, "They must think themselves the more obliged to serve them because the faith and love that bespeak men Christians oblige them to do good; and that is all wherein their service consists. Observe, It is a great encouragement to us in doing our duty to our relations if we have reason to think they are faithful and beloved, and partakers of the benefit, that is, of the benefit of Christianity. Again, Believing masters and servants are brethren, and partakers of the benefit; for in Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free, for you are all one in Christ Jesus, Galatians 3:28. Timothy is appointed to teach and exhort these things. Ministers must preach not only the general duties of all, but the duties of particular relations."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…