Daily Devotions
1 Timothy
"Those who have believing masters..."
Text: 1 Timothy 6:2
RELATING TO BELIEVING MASTERS
There were some masters who had come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That may have created some problems for slaves who also had come to faith in the Lord. Through a common faith in the Lord they are “brethren”. Yet in the harsh reality they could not be further apart, in the “master-slave” social order. The apostle Paul sought to address this problem.
“And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them
because they are brethren, but rather serve them because
those who are benefited are believers and beloved.
Teach and exhort these things.”
1 Timothy 6:2
1. “Those who have believing masters”
a) This was a word to Christian slaves.
b) They may have “believing masters”.
c) Christians may be either:
i) Slaves, or
ii) Masters.
d) That was a fact of life.
2. “Let them not despise them”
a) Believing slaves were not to despise their masters.
b) Due respect must be given.
3. “Because they are brethren”
a) Slaves may not expect to have “an easier time” because they have believing masters.
b) Slaves are to have a proper regard for their masters (even if they were not believers).
c) But if the slaves had believing masters they should have an even greater regard for them.
d) Believing masters are to be regarded as brethren.
i) In the spiritual realm.
ii) A healthy sense of regard ought to be cultivated.
iii) They are to be regarded as “brethren”.
4. “But rather serve them”
a) Slaves must learn how to serve appropriately.
b) The challenge is to learn how to serve well and faithfully whoever their masters were.
Paul admonished Timothy to teach and exhort the church with these vital truths and principles.