1 Timothy Chapter 6 Series

I Timothy Chapter 6

I Tim 6:1 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.

6:1 All who are under the yoke as bond-servants (slaves) are to regard their own masters as worthy of honor and respect so that the name of God and the teaching [about Him] will not be spoken against.

A. He is addressing slaves and masters in these two verses in terms of Christianity of each.

B. “servants” – Slaves; applies to employment; 50% of Roman Empire was composed of slaves. Many were educated and cultured, but not treated as persons. (Chuck Missler)

C. “servants” Strong’s G1401 d?????? – doulos -- doo'-los From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant. Total KJV occurrences: 125

D. Slavery in the OT: How People Became Slaves (Mike Mazzalongo)

1. Captured in war

2. Sold into slavery – Maybe by family.

3. Born into slavery

4. Restitution for crime – No prisons

5. Restitution for debt

6. Self-sale to slavery – in order to avoid poverty

7. Kidnapping

E. Among the Romans, slavery was commerce, was a business. Slaves in ancient times were not considered to be human. They were meant to be bought and sold. (M. M.)

F. Slavery also existed among the Jews but was tempered and regulated by law. Jews could not enslave Jews for life. Jubilee was in 7 cycles of 7. On the 50th year Jewish slaves were released and had their property returned to them and all debts forgiven. The year of Jubilee had a bearing on the value of slaves, debts, and property. This allowed each tribe to maintain the land that were given to them when they entered Canaan. Slavery was not the basis of their economy. You could not kill a slave as in the pagan world. There was no guilt involved on their part for having slaves and it was not considered sin. (M. M.)

G. Female slaves that married their master or her master’s son, was set free. If her master didn’t provide for her or if they divorced, she would be free. (M. M.)

H. Slavery was changing, but differently in pagan and Jewish cultures.

I. Slavery in Roman Times were not the same as slavery practiced in the southern U.S. in 18-19 centuries.

J. Slavery was the economic backbone in the southern states at that time. U.S. slaves were not considered to be human. In freedom, they were considered 2/3 a person so they could not vote. (M. M.)

K. In the 1st century church, a slave and his master may have belonged to the same household church. (M. M.)

L. “blasphemed” Strong’s G987 ß?asf?µe´? -- blasphe¯meo¯ -- blas-fay-meh'-o From G989; to vilify; specifically to speak impiously: - (speak) blaspheme (-er, -mously, -my), defame, rail on, revile, speak evil. Total KJV occurrences: 35

M. The whole idea is to prevent Christianity from being blasphemed.

I Tim 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.

6:2 Those who have believing masters are not to be disrespectful toward them because they are brothers [in Christ], but they should serve them even better, because those who benefit from their kindly service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these [duties and principles].

A. They did not speak out against the institutional aspects of slavery; this would have been disruptive and hindered the Gospel. One must be careful in picking one’s battles. (Chuck Missler)

B. Slavery in the 1st Century Church: Why wasn’t it denounced? (M. M.)

1. It was passing away as a social system. The apostles were to preach the gospel, not to impress social reform. If they had, they would not have been able to preach the gospel without causing social unrest.

2. There was nothing to replace it. There was no middle class to absorb them into training and other forms of occupation. No welfare.

3. Slavery was temporary.

C. When slaves were free in the U.S., many slaves stayed where they were at. Some had no place to go. (M. M.)

D. 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. 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. (William Barclay)