TRV
Teach and exhort people about these things.
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Timothy 6:1–5. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
I.Here is the duty of servants.
The apostle had spoken before of church-relations, here of our family-relations. Servants are here said to be under the yoke, which denotes both subjection and labour; they are yoked to work, not to be idle. If Christianity finds servants under the yoke, it continues them under it; for the gospel does not cancel the obligations any lie under either by the law of nature or by mutual consent. They must respect their masters, count them worthy of all honour (because they are their masters), of all the respect, observance, compliance, and obedience, that are justly expected from servants to their masters. Not that they were to think that of them which they were not; but as their masters they must count them worthy of all that honour which was fit for them to receive, that the name of God be not blasphemed. If servants that embraced the Christian religion should grow insolent and disobedient to their masters, the doctrine of Christ would be reflected on for their sakes, as if it had made men worse livers than they had been before they received the gospel. Observe, If the professors of religion misbehave themselves, the name of God and his doctrine are in danger of being blasphemed by those who seek occasion to speak evil of that worthy name by which we are called. And this is a good reason why we should all conduct ourselves well, that we may prevent the occasion which many seek, and will be very apt to lay hold of, to speak ill of religion for our sakes. Or suppose the master were a Christian, and a believer, and the servant a believer too, would not this excuse him, because in Christ there is neither bond nor free? No, by no means, for Jesus Christ did not come to dissolve the bond of civil relation, but to strengthen it: Those that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren; for this brotherhood relates only to spiritual privileges, not to any outward dignity or advantage (those misunderstood and abuse their religion who make it a pretence for denying the duties that they owe to their relations); nay, rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved. 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, Gal 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.
II.Paul here warns Timothy to withdraw from those who corrupted the doctrine of Christ, and made it the subject off strife, debate, and controversy: If any man teach otherwise (Ti1 6:3-5), do not preach practically, do not teach and exhort that which is for the promoting of serious godliness - if he will not consent to wholesome words, words that have a direct tendency to heal the soul - if he will not consent to these, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Observe, We are not required to consent to any words as wholesome words except the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; but to those we must give our unfeigned assent and consent, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness. Observe, The doctrine of our Lord Jesus is a doctrine according to godliness; it has a direct tendency to make people godly. But he that does not consent to the words of Christ is proud (Ti1 6:4) and contentious, ignorant, and does a great deal of mischief to the church, knowing nothing. Observe, Commonly those are most proud who know least; for with all their knowledge they do not know themselves. - But doting about questions. Those who fall off from the plain practical doctrines of Christianity fall in with controversies, which eat out the life and power of religion; they dote about questions and strifes of words, which do a great deal of mischief in the church, are the occasion of envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. When men are not content with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness, but will frame notions of their own and impose them, and that too in their own words, which man's wisdom teaches, and not in the words which the Holy Ghost teaches (Co1 2:13), they sow the seeds of all mischief in the church. Hence come perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds (Ti1 6:5), disputes that are all subtlety, and no solidity. Observe, Men of corrupt minds are destitute of the truth. The reason why men's minds are corrupt is because they do not stick to the truth as it is in Jesus: supposing that gain is godliness, making religion truckle to their secular interest. From such as these Timothy is warned to withdraw himself. We observe,
1.The words of our Lord Jesus Christ are wholesome words, they are the fittest to prevent or heal the church's wounds, as well as to heal a wounded conscience; for Christ has the tongue of the learned, to speak a word in season to him that is weary, Isa 50:4. The words of Christ are the best to prevent ruptures in the church; for none who profess faith in him will dispute the aptness or authority of his words who is their Lord and teacher, and it has never gone well with the church since the words of men have claimed a regard equal to his words, and in some cases a much greater.
2.Whoever teaches otherwise, and does not consent to these wholesome words, he is proud, knowing nothing; for pride and ignorance commonly go together.
3.Paul sets a brand only on those who consent not to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness; they are proud, knowing nothing: other words more wholesome he knew not.
4.We learn the sad effects of doting about questions and strifes of words; of such doting about questions comes envy, strife, evil surmisings, and perverse disputings; when men leave the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, they will never agree in other words, either of their own or other men's invention, but will perpetually wrangle and quarrel about them; and this will produce envy, when they see the words of others preferred to those they have adopted for their own; and this will be attended with jealousies and suspicions of one another, called here evil surmisings; then they will proceed to perverse disputings.
5.Such persons as are given to perverse disputings appear to be men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth; especially such as act in this manner for the sake of gain, which is all their godliness, supposing gain to be godliness, contrary to the apostle's judgment, who reckoned godliness great gain.
6.Good ministers and Christians will withdraw themselves from such. "Come out from among them, my people, and be ye separate," says the Lord: from such withdraw thyself.
Historical interpretation
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For it is not to no purpose that the blessed apostle exhorts Timothy, and says, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith."
Let him consider wherein they are equal, even as he is a man. And let him that has a believing master
Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers. Rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved. In the epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians he commands the same. So it is obvious that Paul’s intention is not to abolish slavery as a social institution. Rather, he attacks slavery in its worst form, the slavery to evil, which pays no respect to any external freedom.
"These things teach and exhort."
A Teacher has need not only of authority, but of gentleness, and not only of gentleness, but of authority. And all these the blessed Paul teaches, at one time saying, "These things command and teach"; at another, "These things teach and exhort." For if physicians entreat the sick, not for the benefit of their own health, but that they may relieve their sickness, and restore their prostrate strength, much more ought we to observe this method, of entreating those whom we teach. For the blessed Paul does not refuse to be their servant: "We preach not ourselves," he says; "but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake"; and again, "All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos." And in this service he serves with alacrity, for it is not slavery, but superior to freedom. For He says, "Whoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
"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."
As though he had said, If ye are thought worthy of so great a benefit, as to have your masters for your brethren, on this account ye ought more especially to submit.
Those who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters as worthy of all honor; so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed. And those who have faithful masters should not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them all the more, because they are faithful and beloved, sharing in the benefit. Teach and encourage these things.
Paul discusses faithful slaves who have unbelieving masters, saying, so that even these things may be.
so that the name of God may not be blasphemed. For if, Paul says, because the masters are unbelieving, the faithful slaves disobey and act arrogantly, giving their own household members a reason, they provide the masters with grounds to blaspheme Christ and the preaching, as if it were the cause of the slaves' arrogance.
should not despise them because they are brothers. Do not let the fact that you are a brother be the cause of your despising, Paul says, but considering that the masters are faithful and beloved of God, serve more, mixing fear and love. For as much as you do good to the masters who are your brothers, so much more become grateful in serving more. Or because you are benefited by the masters, through being nourished and clothed.
but rather serve them all the more; that is, the slaves. For by hyperbaton it is placed. However, it should be placed in the middle, because they are faithful and beloved, and the word masters should be understood. Simply, as it is written, one must understand sharing in the benefit, that is, the masters who take care to benefit the slaves.
Teach and encourage these things. Therefore, the teacher requires not authority, but gentleness.
According to those who are greedy for gain, and false teachers.
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Summary
First Timothy 6:2 provides specific instructions for Christian servants who have believing masters, building on the previous verse's guidance for those with unbelieving masters. It exhorts servants not to disdain their believing masters, despite their shared spiritual brotherhood, but rather to serve them diligently. This diligent service is to be motivated by the masters' status as "faithful and beloved" co-heirs of God's grace, who are "partakers of the benefit," implying a mutual spiritual blessing. The verse concludes with a direct command to Timothy to teach and earnestly encourage these principles within the church.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a continuation of Paul's practical instructions to Timothy regarding various groups within the church, specifically addressing household dynamics. In 1 Timothy 6:1, Paul instructs slaves with unbelieving masters to serve diligently so as not to bring disrepute upon God's name and doctrine. 1 Timothy 6:2 then shifts focus to the more complex scenario of Christian servants serving Christian masters. The broader context of 1 Timothy 5-6 deals with church order, the treatment of widows, elders, and the dangers of false teaching, all aimed at fostering healthy Christian community and conduct. This specific instruction on master-servant relationships underscores Paul's concern for how the gospel transforms social interactions from within, rather than advocating for immediate, disruptive social revolution.
Historical & Cultural Context
Slavery was a pervasive and complex institution in the Greco-Roman world, differing significantly from later chattel slavery. Individuals could become slaves through debt, war, birth, or even by selling themselves into servitude. Slaves performed a wide range of tasks, from manual labor to highly skilled professions, and some held significant responsibilities. The early church, as a diverse community, included both masters and slaves, creating a unique social dynamic where individuals of vastly different societal statuses were united as "brethren" in Christ. Paul's instructions here do not endorse slavery as an ideal, nor do they call for its abolition, which would have been politically destabilizing and likely led to persecution. Instead, Paul seeks to infuse these existing social structures with Christian ethics, transforming the relationship through principles of love, respect, and mutual service. The potential for Christian slaves to "despise" their masters could stem from a misunderstanding of spiritual equality, leading them to believe their shared faith negated their social hierarchy or gave them license to be disrespectful.
Key Themes
This verse contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within 1 Timothy and the broader Pauline corpus. It highlights the theme of Spiritual Equality in Christ, emphasizing that while social distinctions may exist, all believers are "brethren" before God, a truth powerfully articulated in Galatians 3:28. It also underscores the Dignity of Christian Service, elevating labor from mere obligation to an act of willing devotion performed for fellow believers, and ultimately, for the Lord, as seen in Colossians 3:23-24. The concept of Mutual Benefit and Love is evident in the phrase "partakers of the benefit," suggesting a reciprocal relationship where both master and servant are beneficiaries of God's grace and their spiritual bond. Finally, the concluding command, "These things teach and exhort," reinforces the theme of Pastoral Responsibility and the critical role of sound doctrine and practical instruction in shaping the conduct of believers and maintaining harmony within the church, a recurring emphasis throughout 1 Timothy.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the provided Strong's data, this word refers to an "absolute ruler" or "lord." In the context of slavery, it denotes the owner of a slave, highlighting the legal and social authority they held. The use of this term emphasizes the hierarchical reality of the relationship, even as spiritual equality is introduced.
This term, meaning "to think against" or "disesteem," implies a disrespectful attitude, scorn, or looking down upon someone. The instruction is a direct prohibition against a mindset of contempt or superiority that Christian servants might adopt towards their believing masters, perhaps feeling that their newfound spiritual status negated the need for respect within the existing social structure.
Derived from the word for "slave" (δοῦλος), this verb means "to be a slave to" or "to serve." It can be literal or figurative, voluntary or involuntary. Here, it refers to the act of serving as a slave, but the context transforms it from mere obligation into a willing act of Christian duty and love, performed for a fellow believer.
Verse Breakdown
"And they that have believing masters"
This clause sets the specific audience for the instruction: Christian servants whose owners are also believers. This distinguishes them from the scenario in 1 Timothy 6:1, where masters are unbelievers, and introduces a unique dynamic based on shared faith.
"let them not despise [them], because they are brethren"
This is the negative command. Christian servants are warned against adopting a scornful or disrespectful attitude towards their believing masters. The reason provided, "because they are brethren," highlights the spiritual equality that exists in Christ, which, if misunderstood, could lead to a sense of entitlement or contempt for earthly authority. Paul clarifies that spiritual equality does not nullify social order but transforms the spirit in which it is observed.
"but rather do [them] service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit"
This is the positive command, contrasting with the previous negative. Instead of despising, servants are to diligently serve. The motivation is multifaceted: their masters are "faithful" (trustworthy, believing) and "beloved" (recipients of God's love and objects of Christian affection). Crucially, they are "partakers of the benefit," meaning they share in the spiritual blessings and grace of God. This implies that the service rendered is not merely for a human master but contributes to the well-being of a fellow member of the spiritual family, who also benefits from God's grace.
"These things teach and exhort"
This concluding command is directed at Timothy, emphasizing his pastoral responsibility. He is to actively instruct and encourage the believers in these specific principles of conduct. This highlights the importance of sound doctrine being translated into practical, ethical living within the Christian community.
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Antithesis by contrasting what Christian servants should not do ("not despise") with what they should do ("but rather do them service"). This stark opposition clarifies the desired behavior. There is also a strong element of Reasoning or Justification, as Paul provides clear "because" clauses to explain why these behaviors are mandated (because they are brethren, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit). The phrase "faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit" functions as a Climax of motivations, building a compelling case for diligent service based on shared spiritual identity and blessing. The concluding command, "These things teach and exhort," serves as a Pastoral Imperative, emphasizing the practical application and dissemination of these truths within the church.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This passage profoundly shapes our understanding of how the gospel transforms all human relationships, even those marked by social hierarchy. It teaches that while the church does not necessarily dismantle existing social structures (like slavery in the Roman world), it radically redefines the spirit and motivation within them. Spiritual equality in Christ means that no believer should look down on another, regardless of earthly status. Instead, the shared identity as "brethren" and "partakers of the benefit" should foster a new ethic of mutual respect, love, and diligent service, where work is seen as an act of devotion to God and a contribution to the flourishing of the Christian community. This principle extends beyond ancient master-servant relations to modern workplace dynamics, family roles, and any context where authority and submission are present.
Reflection and Application
While the specific context of slavery is largely absent in many modern societies, the timeless principles embedded in 1 Timothy 6:2 remain profoundly relevant for contemporary relationships, especially in the workplace. This verse challenges Christians to approach their work, particularly when serving fellow believers, with a spirit of excellence, diligence, and respect, rather than allowing familiarity or a sense of spiritual equality to breed contempt or laxity. It calls us to recognize that our shared identity in Christ should elevate our conduct, transforming mundane tasks into acts of worship and service within the body of Christ. Whether we are employees, volunteers, or even those in positions of authority, the call is to serve with integrity and love, reflecting the character of Christ in every interaction and demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel in practical ways. Our service, when rendered to "faithful and beloved" co-heirs of God's grace, becomes a tangible expression of our Christian love and commitment to the mutual benefit of the community.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse endorse slavery?
No, this verse does not endorse slavery. Instead, it provides practical guidance for Christians living within the existing social structures of the Roman Empire, where slavery was widespread. Paul's letters consistently aim to transform relationships from within by applying Christian principles of love, respect, and dignity, rather than initiating a social revolution that would have been highly disruptive and dangerous for the nascent church. The focus is on the conduct of believers within their given circumstances, demonstrating the gospel's power to transform hearts and relationships, even under oppressive systems. The emphasis on mutual respect and the spiritual equality of "brethren" fundamentally subverts the dehumanizing aspects of slavery.
How does "partakers of the benefit" apply to modern relationships?
The phrase "partakers of the benefit" (Greek, euergesía) refers to sharing in God's grace, salvation, and the spiritual blessings of being in Christ. In modern relationships, particularly in the workplace or any context where Christians interact in roles of authority and submission, it reminds us that we are all co-heirs of God's grace. This shared spiritual reality should motivate us to treat one another with honor, diligence, and love. For employees, it means serving with excellence because their employer is a fellow believer who also benefits from God's grace. For employers, it means recognizing the spiritual dignity of their employees, treating them as "beloved" in Christ, and fostering an environment of mutual respect, as seen in Ephesians 6:9.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
1 Timothy 6:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the principles of humble service and transformed relationships. Though He was "in the form of God," Christ "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7). He, the ultimate Master and Lord, willingly became a servant, even washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:1-17), setting the supreme example for all believers, whether master or servant, to serve one another in love. His sacrifice on the cross broke down every dividing wall, making all believers "brethren" and "fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:14-19). Through Christ, we are all "partakers of the benefit"—the immeasurable grace and salvation He secured. Therefore, our service to one another, especially within the body of Christ, is not merely a social obligation but a reflection of Christ's own self-giving love and a tangible expression of the new creation He inaugurated, where earthly distinctions are transcended by the profound spiritual unity found in Him.