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.
And, х De (G1161)] - 'But.' The opposition is between Christian slaves under the yoke of pagan, and those that have believing masters (he does not say "under the yoke" in this case, for service under believers is not a yoke). Connect thus, 'Let them (the slaves) not, because they (the masters) are brethren (and so equals, masters and slaves alike being Christians), despise (take liberties with) them' (the masters).
But rather ... - but all the more (with the greater good will) do them service, because they (the masters) are faithful (i:e., believers) and beloved (of God) who receive [in the interchange of reciprocal duties between master and servant: hoi (G3588) antilambanomenoi (G482), the article marking this as the subject, and "faithful and beloved" the predicate] the benefit.' This latter clause is parallel to "because they are brethren;" which proves that "they" refers to the masters, not the servants, in the common sense of the verb (Luke 1:54; Acts 20:35), 'who sedulously labour for their (masters') benefit.' "Benefit" delicately implies service done with the right motive, Christian "good will" (Ephesians 6:7). If the common sense of the verb be urged, explain, 'Because they (the masters) are faithful, etc., who are sedulously intent on the benefiting' of their servants. But Porphyry ('De Abstin.' 1: 46) justifies the sense above, which better accords with the context; for otherwise the article, "the benefit," will have nothing to explain it; whereas in my explanation "the benefit" is the slaves' service.
These things teach - as a matter of doctrine (1 Timothy 4:11; Titus 2:15).
Exhort - as a matter of practice.