Survey
of the Letters of Paul: 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.
1 Timothy 6:1-2
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count
their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his
doctrine be not blasphemed.
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.
HOW TO BE A SLAVE AND A CHRISTIAN
1 Timothy 6:1–2 ...in
paraphrase
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.
Christian slaves were in a peculiarly difficult
position. If they were the slaves of a non-Christian
master, they might very easily make it clear that
they regarded their master as bound for damnation
and themselves as the heirs of salvation. Their
Christianity might well give them a feeling of
intolerant superiority, which would create an
impossible situation. On the other hand, if their
master was a Christian, the slaves might be tempted
to take advantage of the relationship and to trade
upon it, using it as an excuse for producing
inefficient work in the expectation of escaping all
punishment. They might think that the fact that they
and their master were Christians entitled them to
all kinds of special consideration. There was an
obvious problem here. We must note three general
things.
(1) In those early days, the Church did not emerge
as the would-be destroyer of slavery by violent and
sudden means. And it was wise. There were something
like 60,000,000 slaves in the Roman Empire. Simply
because of their numbers, they were always regarded
as potential enemies. If ever there was a slave
revolt, it was put down with merciless force,
because the Roman Empire could not afford to allow
the slaves to rebel. If slaves ran away and were
caught, they were either executed or branded on
their foreheads with the letter F, standing for
fugitivus, which means runaway. There was indeed a
Roman law which stated that, if a master was
murdered, all his slaves could be questioned under
torture and could indeed be put to death in a body.
E. K. Simpson wisely writes: ‘Christianity’s
spiritual campaign would have been fatally
compromised by stirring the smouldering embers of
class-hatred into a devouring flame, or opening an
asylum for runaway slaves in its bosom.’
For the Church to have encouraged slaves to revolt
against their masters would have been fatal. It
would simply have caused civil war, mass murder and
the complete discredit of the Church. What happened
was that, as the centuries went on, Christianity so
permeated civilization that in the end the slaves
were freed voluntarily and not by force. Here is a
tremendous lesson. It is the proof that neither
individuals nor the world nor society can be
reformed by force and by legislation. The reform
must come through the slow penetration of the Spirit
of Christ into the human situation. Things have to
happen in God’s time, not in ours. In the end, the
slow way is the sure way, and the way of violence
always defeats itself.
(2) There is here the further truth, that ‘spiritual
equality does not efface civil distinctions’. It is
a continual danger that people may unconsciously
regard their Christianity as an excuse for slackness
and inefficiency. Because they and their employer
are both Christians, they may expect to be treated
with special consideration. But the fact that
employer and employees are Christian does not
release the employees from doing a good day’s work
and earning wages. Christians are under the same
obligation to submit to discipline and to earn their
pay as everyone else.
(3) What then is the duty of Christian slaves as the
Pastorals see it? It is to be good slaves. If they
are not, if they are slack and careless, if they are
disobedient and insolent, they merely supply the
world with ammunition to criticize the Church.
Christian workers must commend their Christianity by
being better at their work than other people. In
particular, their work will be done in a new spirit.
They will not now think of themselves as being
unwillingly compelled to work; they will think of
themselves as rendering service to their master, to
God and to other people. Their aim will be not to
see how little can be forced out of them, but how
much they can willingly do. As George Herbert had it
in that fine hymn ‘Teach Me My God and King’:
A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine:
Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,
Makes that and the action fine.
~Barclay Commentary
Verse 2 is roughly broken down into seven parts:
1] And they that have believing masters.
2] Let them not despise them because they are brethren.
3] But rather do them service.
4] Because they are faithful.
5] And beloved.
6] Partakers of the benefit.
7] These things teach and exhort.
Let us go to the commentaries...
First, let us go to the Matthew Henry which discusses the first five verses:
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 sanctifying power,
and seeking their worldly advantage. ~Matthew Henry Concise.
1] And they [slaves/servants] that have believing masters.
And they that have believing masters - Who have been lately converted as well as
themselves. ~Adam Clarke
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 slaves after they
were converted; nor is there any intimation of any such transaction among
Christians in the New Testament. Nor is there any intimation that he regarded it
as right and best that they should continue to hold slaves; nor that he would
approve their making arrangements to persevere in this as a permanent
institution.
Nor is it to be fairly inferred from this passage that he meant to teach that
they might continue this, and yet be entitled to all the respect and confidence
due to the Christian name, or be regarded as maintaining a good standing in the
church. ~Barnes Notes
2] Let them [slaves/servants] not despise them [masters]
because they are brethren.
Because they are brethren - Converted slaves must not despise
their masters, because in the church they are equal. Rather, they must serve
them better, because they are beloved brethren, and partakers of the benefit of
their service. ~People's New Testament.
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. ~Adam Clarke
Let them not despise them, because they are brethren - Not treat them with any want of the respect which is due to their station. The word here used sometimes denotes “to neglect,” or, “not to care for." Here it is not necessary to suppose that it denotes actual contempt, but only that want of respect which might possibly spring up in the mind if not well instructed, or not on its guard, among those who were servants or slaves. It was to be apprehended that the effect of the master and the slave having both embraced religion, would be to produce in the mind of the servant a want of respect and deference for his master. This danger was to be apprehended from the following causes:
(1) Christianity taught that all people were made of “one blood,” and were by nature equal. It was natural, therefore for the slave to infer that by nature he was equal to his master, and it would be easy to pervert this truth to make him disrespectful and insubordinate.
(2) they were equal to them as Christians. Christianity taught them that they were all “brethren” in the Lord, and that there was no distinction before God. It might be natural to infer from this, that all distinctions in society were to be abolished, and that, in all respects, the slave was to regard himself as on a level with his master.
(3) some, who did not well understand the nature of Christianity, or who
might have been disposed to cause trouble, may have taken advantage of the
undeniable truths about the equality of people by nature and by redemption, to
produce discontent on the part of the slave. They may have endeavored to
embitter the feelings of the slaves toward their masters who held them in
bondage. The effect, it is easy to see, may have been to lead those who were in
a state of servitude to manifest open and marked disrespect. In opposition to
this, the apostle would have Timothy teach that Christianity did not rudely
assail the existing institutions of society, and especially did not teach those
who were in subordinate ranks to be disrespectful to these above them.
~Barnes Notes
Let them not despise them, because they are brethren - of the same family
named of Christ, and of the same household of God, and of faith, and have the
same father; for though with regard to spiritual blessings, privileges, and
ordinances, they were equal; yet not with regard to temporal and civil affairs;
and therefore should not treat them with less respect, or be more backward to
obey their lawful commands, on that account: ~John Gill
3] But rather do them service.
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. ~Adam Clarke
But rather do them service - That is, serve them with more cheerfulness and
alacrity than they did before the master was converted; or serve them with the
more cheerfulness because they were Christians. The reasons for this were,
because the master was now more worthy of affectionate regard, and because the
servant might look for better treatment at his hands. ~Barnes Notes
But rather do them service - more heartily, and with a greater good will, as to
the Lord; these masters belonging to him, and being engaged in his cause; which
they, their servants, by yielding a cheerful obedience to them, are assisting
in: and the rather. ~John Gill
Note: At this point in the audio I make reference to the sermon, "Assiduity"
and giving everything over to God.
4] Because they [the masters] are faithful.
Because they are faithful - That is, “because” they are “believers,” or are
Christians - πιστοί pistoi; the same word which in the beginning of the verse
is rendered “believing.” It does not here mean that they were “faithful” to
their servants or their God, but merely that they were Christians. ~Barnes
Notes
Because they are faithful - in lesser things, in giving to them, their
servants, what is just and equal, proper food and suitable raiment, and their
just wages; and in using their wealth and riches in a good way, for the interest
of Christ, the assistance of the poor saints, and the spreading of the Gospel;
and so in greater things, by holding fast the profession of their faith,
adhering to Christ, his truths and ordinances: or "because they are believing,
or believers"; it is the same word as before used; and therefore they should be
precious to them, and high in their esteem; for faith is a precious grace, and
such as have it are chosen of God, and precious. ~John Gill
5] And beloved [masters].
And beloved - of God, who had chosen them to salvation; and of Christ, who had
redeemed them by his blood; and of the saints, who are taught of God to love one
another; and this is another reason why they should be served, and not despised;
and a third follows. ~John Gill
And beloved - Probably, “beloved of God;” for so the word is often used. As
they are the friends of God, they who are servants should show them the more
respect. The idea is, simply, that one whom God loves should be treated with
more respect than if he were not thus beloved; or, a good man deserves more
respect than a wicked man. In all the relations of life, we should respect those
above us the more in proportion to the excellency of their character. ~Barnes
Notes
6] Partakers of the benefit.
Partakers of the benefit - of the free grace of God; of redemption and salvation
by Jesus Christ, and of all spiritual blessings in him; and therefore should
serve them the more cheerfully. The Syriac version renders it, "such as enjoy
rest in", or "are refreshed by their service"; or "by their service to them", as
the Arabic version: the sense is, that when believing servants serve their
believing masters readily and faithfully, their masters are well pleased with
them, delight in their service, and consider it as a benefit to them, and a
kindness done them; and which therefore should animate and encourage them to
serve them. ~John Gill
7] These things teach and exhort.
These things teach and exhort - the Syriac and Arabic versions add them; the
servants. The apostle was not above instructing and exhorting persons of such a
capacity, and in so low a state of life; and it became Timothy to do so
likewise; and every minister of the word. ~John Gill
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