1 Timothy 6:1

6:1-5 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 sanctifying power, and seeking their worldly advantage.

Let {1} as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, {2} that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. (1) He adds also rules for the servant's duty towards their masters: upon which matter there were no doubt many questions asked by those who took occasion by the Gospel to trouble the normal manner of life. And this is the first rule: let servants that have come to the faith and have the unfaithful for their masters, serve them nonetheless with great faithfulness. (2) The reason: lest God should seem by the doctrine of the Gospel to stir up men to rebellion and all wickedness.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 . Because the law of Moses ( Exodus 21:2 ) did not allow Israelites to be made slaves for life, without their own consent, it seems the Judaizing teachers, with a view to allure slaves to their party, encouraged them in disobeying the commands, of their masters. This doctrine the apostle condemns here, as in his other epistles, ( 1 Corinthians 7:20-22 ; Colossians 3:22 ,) by enjoining Christian slaves to obey their masters, whether believers or unbelievers. Let servants — Or slaves, rather; (see on Ephesians 6:5 , and Colossians 3:22 ;) under the yoke — Of heathen masters; count them worthy of all honour — All the honour due from a servant to a master, and show it by their obedience and respectful behaviour. That the name of God — God himself; and his doctrine — The doctrine of the gospel; be not blasphemed — That is, evil spoken of, as tending to destroy the political rights of mankind. And they that have believing masters — Which for any to have is a great privilege; let them not despise them — Pay them the less honour or obedience; because they are brethren — In Christ, believers; and in that respect on a level with them. They that live in a religious community know the danger of this, and that greater grace is requisite to bear with the faults of a brother than of a man of the world, or even of an infidel.

But rather do them service — Serve them so much the more diligently; because they are faithful — Or believers, as πιστοι may be rendered; and beloved — Of God; partakers of the benefit — The common salvation. “Instead of encouraging slaves to disobedience, the gospel makes them more faithful and conscientious. And by sweetening the temper of masters, and inspiring them with benevolence, it renders the condition of slaves more tolerable than formerly. For, in proportion as masters imbibe the true spirit of the gospel, they will treat their slaves with humanity, and even give them their freedom, when their services merit such a favour.” — Macknight. These things teach and exhort — Thus Paul the aged gives young Timothy a charge to dwell upon practical holiness. Less experienced teachers are apt to neglect the superstructure, while they lay the foundation. But of so great importance did St. Paul see it to enforce obedience to Christ, as well as to preach faith in his blood, that after urging the life of faith on professors, ( 1 Timothy 6:12 ,) he even adds another charge for the strict observance of it, 1 Timothy 6:13 , &c.

1 Timothy 6:1 . Ὑπὸ ζυγὸν ) under the yoke , viz. of heathen masters. The antithesis is, but , 1 Timothy 6:2 . Service therefore, in the case of believers, is not a yoke.— ἰδίους , their own ) Let them not turn from them, and attach themselves to others. Confusion [confounding of the existing order of things] is forbidden.— τιμῆς , honour ) although they are without, i.e. not Christians. The opposite, despise , occurs presently.— ἀξίους , worthy ) although they be without virtue [any remarkable merit].— ἡγείσθωσαν , let them count ) with affection, and in their actual conduct.— ἵνα μὴ , that not ) For the masters would say, that this was the cause of their contumacious disrespect; comp. Titus 2:5 .

As many servants as are under the yoke (ὅσοι εἰσὶν ὑπὸ ζυγὸν δοῦλοι) Incorrect. Rather, as many as are under the yoke as bondservants. As bondservants is added in explanation of under the yoke, which implies a hard and disagreeable condition. Yoke is used only here of the state of slavery. In Galatians 5:1; Acts 15:10, of the Mosaic law. See on Matthew 11:29. Their own (τοὺς ἰδίους) Lit. private, personal, peculiar, as 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 7:7. Sometimes strange, eccentric. Contrasted with δημόσιος public or κοινός common. See Acts 4:32. Sometimes without emphasis, substantially equals possessive pronoun, just as Lat. proprius passes into suus or ejus, or οἰκεῖος belonging to one's house into the simple one's own. See on Galatians 6:10, and comp. Matthew 22:5; Matthew 25:14. In lxx commonly with the emphatic sense. Very often in the phrase κατ' ἰδίαν privately, as Mark 4:34; Luke 9:10; Galatians 2:2, but nowhere in Pastorals. Masters (δεσπότας) Comp. Titus 2:9, and see on 2 Peter 2:1. Not in Paul, who styles the master of slaves κύριος Lord. See Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1. Count (ἡγείσθωσαν) Implying a more conscious, a surer judgment, resting on more careful weighing of the facts. See Philippians 2:3, Philippians 2:6. Be not blasphemed (μη - βλασφημῆται) Or be evil spoken of. See on blasphemy, Mark 7:22, and be evil spoken of, Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 10:30. Paul uses the word, but not in the active voice as in the Pastorals.

CHAPTER 6 1Ti 6:1-21. Exhortations as to Distinctions of Civil Rank; the Duty of Slaves, in Opposition to the False Teachings of Gain-seekers; Timothy's Pursuit Is to Be Godliness, Which Is an Everlasting Possession: Solemn Adjuration to Do So against Christ's Coming; Charge to Be Given to the Rich. Concluding Exhortation. 1. servants—to be taken as predicated thus, "Let as many as are under the yoke (as) slaves" (Tit 2:9).

The exhortation is natural as there was a danger of Christian slaves inwardly feeling above their heathen masters. their own masters—The phrase "their own," is an argument for submissiveness; it is not strangers, but their own masters whom they are required to respect. all honour—all possible and fitting honor; not merely outward subjection, but that inward honor from which will flow spontaneously right outward conduct (see on [2483]Eph 5:22). that the name of God—by which Christians are called. blasphemed—Heathen masters would say, What kind of a God must be the God of the Christians, when such are the fruits of His worship (Ro 2:24; Tit 2:5, 10)?1 Timothy 6:1,2 The duty of servants.1 Timothy 6:3-5 Those who teach not according to the apostle’s doctrineare to be avoided, as corrupters of Christianity.1 Timothy 6:6-8 The gain of godliness with content.1 Timothy 6:9,10 The evil of covetousness.1 Timothy 6:11-16 What Timothy is to flee, and what to follow and perform.1 Timothy 6:17-19 A charge to the rich not to be proud and confident intheir riches, but to be beneficent and liberal.1 Timothy 6:20,21 Timothy is enjoined to adhere to the true faith, andto shun profane and vain controversies.Let as many servants as are under the yoke; under the yoke of servitude, not being manumised, or made free. Count their own masters worthy of all honour; abundant honour: let Christian servants give their masters, instead of less, double the honour which pagan servants do.

Verse 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 7:21-22 ; 1 Corinthians 12:13 ; Ephesians 6:5-8 ; Colossians 3:11, 22 ; 1 Peter 2:18 ( οἱ οἰκέται ); see also 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 ). It must have been an unspeakable comfort to the poor slave, whose worldly condition was hopeless and often miserable, to secure his place as one of Christ's freemen, with the sure hope of attaining "the glorious liberty of the children of God." Under the yoke ; i.e. "the yoke of bondage" ( Galatians 5:1 ). Perhaps the phrase contains a touch of compassion for their state (comp. Acts 15:10 ). How beautiful is the contrast suggested in Matthew 11:29, 30 ! Masters ( δεσπότας ); the proper word in relation to δοῦλος . The doctrine ( ἡ διδασκαλία ); equivalent to "Christianity," as taught by the apostles and their successors (see the frequent use of the word in the pastoral Epistles, though with different shades of meaning ( 1 Timothy 1:10 ; 1 Timothy 4:6, 13, 16 ; 1 Timothy 5:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:10 ; 2 Timothy 4:3 ; Titus 1:9 ; Titus 2:10 , etc.).

Blasphemed (compare the similar passage, Titus 2:5 , where ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ answers to ἡ διδασκαλία here). Βλασφημεῖν does not necessarily mean "blaspheme" in its restricted sense, but as often means "to speak evil of," "to defame," and the like. If Christian slaves withheld the honor and respect due to their masters, it would be as sure to bring reproach upon the Christian doctrine as if it taught insubordination and rebellion. 1 Timothy 6:1

1 . as many servants as are under the yoke ] The position of the Greek words and their meaning are against this rendering. There would be no servants (slaves) who would not be ‘under the yoke;’ but since they were in actual position ‘under bondage’ as slaves, let them recognise facts. Render with R.V. as many as are bondservants under the yoke . ‘The yoke of slavery’ is applied metaphorically, Galatians 5:1 , to the old legal dispensation. The use of the word is derived from the old custom of making prisoners of war pass under a ‘yoke’ formed of a spear laid crosswise on two upright spears, to denote the yoke of slavery being laid upon them. The reference in Christ’s words, Matthew 11:29 , ‘take my yoke’ is rather to the yoke coupling cattle for drawing. their own masters ] The adjective here rendered ‘their own’ is in N.T. ‘used instead of a personal pronoun by the same kind of misuse as when in later Latin proprius takes the place of eius or suus ;’ Winer, § 22, 7. As Alford on Ephesians 5:22 says, it serves ‘to intensify the relationship and enforce its duties.’ We have sixteen instances of the use in these Epistles, e.g. Titus 2:9 . his doctrine ] Again the special teaching of the Christian religion, which would be ‘evil spoken of’ by being supposed to teach a subversive socialism. 1, 2 . Timothy’s duties in regard to slaves The last of the four sections of special charge (commenced in the previous chapter) is Timothy’s attitude towards Christian slaves.