CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
1 Timothy 6:1. That the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed.—Masters who had slaves professing to be Christians and yet supercilious would curse them and their new faith.
1 Timothy 6:2. Let them not despise them.—Two uses of this word by our Lord will be its best interpretation. In Matthew 6:24 He too speaks of the servant who has two different masters, for one of whom he has dropped all estimation. In Matthew 18:10 Christ warns against thinking the little ones as unworthy of attention.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 1 Timothy 6:1-2
Christianity and Servitude.
I. Respect must be shown to unbelieving masters.—
1. Though the service is humiliating and unjust. “As many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honour” (1 Timothy 6:1). The servant of those days was a slave. The Roman Empire was about equally divided by freemen and slaves. Slavery was an ancient and widely spread institution, and was closely bound up with the social life of the times. All this was to be changed, and has been changed. Christianity has effected the revolution, not by appealing to and stirring up political passions, but by implanting principles in the expansion of which it is impossible for slavery to live. The Christian, though a slave, was taught to show respect to his master; and the injunction was perhaps necessary, as the servant in his newly found moral freedom might be tempted to regard himself as superior to his unbelieving master, and to develop an arrogant and rebellious spirit.
2. Respectful servitude will guard religion from reproach. “That the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1). The heathen master would be compelled to respect a religion that made his servant honest, industrious, obedient, respectful, and morally consistent. Many masters were won over to Christianity by the holy examples of their slaves.
II. Nor should less respect be shown towards believing masters.—
1. Because of the equality of servant and master in Christian brotherhood. “Let them not despise them because they are brethren” (1 Timothy 6:2). The servant might presume upon this equality and take unwarrantable liberties, and seek to justify even positive neglect and disobedience. Before God master and man are alike; before the world, and according to the contract existing between them, they are master and servant. In doing his duty conscientiously the servant is not only serving his earthly master, but also pleasing God.
2. Equality in Christian brotherhood is rather a stronger reason for fidelity in servitude. “But rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit” (1 Timothy 6:2). The cultivation of the Christian spirit promotes a better understanding between master and servant. They learn to respect each other, and to discharge their mutual obligations with cordiality and justice.
III. Christianity enforces the sacredness of duty in servitude.—“These things teach and exhort.” Religion must be carried into every department and relationship in life. However humble and trying our lot, it has its duties, and religion teaches us to find alleviation in every hardship by faithfully doing the duty of the moment. Duty can be satisfied with its doings, but love has never done enough. The dying Nelson said, “Thank God, I have done my duty.” The dying saint can only say, “I am an unprofitable servant.”
Lessons.—
1. Christian liberty has its legitimate restraints.
2. Christianity teaches the true dignity of labour.
3. Practical Christianity will inevitably rectify the unjust inequalities between master and servant.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Timothy 6:1-2. Duties of servants.
I. Christian servants should prevent scandal to religion by showing respect to their masters as such (1 Timothy 6:1).
II. Should not presume on the equal brotherhood which religion recognises between Christian masters and servants (1 Timothy 6:2).
III. The participation in equal religious privileges should make the servant more conscientious and diligent (1 Timothy 6:2).