1 Timothy 6:1-2a
What is written? (ESV)
Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 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 good service are believers and beloved.
What does it say?
Any that are under the bondage of slavery are to honor their masters in order to not discredit the name and word of God. Those that have believing masters but not take advantage of that fact, but should be even more excellent in their service since those benefitting from it are brothers [in Christ].
What is its immediate context?
Paul’s instructions to Timothy, a young preacher. Here he is giving instruction regarding the master/slave relationship after having given other, very role-specific (e.g. man, woman, young, old, married, widowed) instructions regarding behavior and actions as Christians.
How 1 Timothy 6:1-2a is applied across Bible answers
Does the Bible condone slavery?
In what is almost identical instruction to what Paul gave Titus,12 here he urges Timothy even further with a standard that doesn't give the slave (person "owned") a "free pass" in their Godly behavior in case their master is also a Christian. In other words, they should not take advantage of the situation.
