1 Timothy 6:1 - Exposition

Are servants for servants as are , A.V.; the doctrine for his doctrine , A.V. Servants ; literally, slaves . That slaves formed a considerable portion of the first Christian Churches may be inferred from the frequency with which their duties are pressed upon them (see 1 Corinthians 7:21-22 ; 1 Corinthians 12:13 ; Ephesians 6:5-8 ; Colossians 3:11 , Colossians 3:22 ; 1 Peter 2:18 ( οἱ οἰκέται ); see also 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 ). It must have been an unspeakable comfort to the poor slave, whose worldly condition was hopeless and often miserable, to secure his place as one of Christ's freemen, with the sure hope of attaining "the glorious liberty of the children of God." Under the yoke ; i.e. "the yoke of bondage" ( Galatians 5:1 ). Perhaps the phrase contains a touch of compassion for their state (comp. Acts 15:10 ). How beautiful is the contrast suggested in Matthew 11:29 , Matthew 11:30 ! Masters ( δεσπότας ); the proper word in relation to δοῦλος . The doctrine ( ἡ διδασκαλία ); equivalent to "Christianity," as taught by the apostles and their successors (see the frequent use of the word in the pastoral Epistles, though with different shades of meaning ( 1 Timothy 1:10 ; 1 Timothy 4:6 , 1 Timothy 4:13 , 1 Timothy 4:16 ; 1 Timothy 5:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:10 ; 2 Timothy 4:3 ; Titus 1:9 ; Titus 2:10 , etc.). Blasphemed (compare the similar passage, Titus 2:5 , where ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ answers to ἡ διδασκαλία here). βλασφημεῖν does not necessarily mean "blaspheme" in its restricted sense, but as often means "to speak evil of," "to defame," and the like. If Christian slaves withheld the honor and respect due to their masters, it would be as sure to bring reproach upon the Christian doctrine as if it taught insubordination and rebellion.