1 Timothy 6:2 kjv
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.
1 Timothy 6:2 nkjv
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 niv
Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
1 Timothy 6:2 esv
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. False Teachers and True Contentment Teach and urge these things.
1 Timothy 6:2 nlt
If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. False Teaching and True Riches Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them.
1 Timothy 6 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 6:1 | Teach slaves to respect their masters in every way... | Dignity in all vocations |
| Eph 6:5 | Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear... | Obedience to earthly authority |
| Col 3:22 | Slaves, in everything obey earthly masters... | Obedience motivated by Christ |
| Titus 2:9 | Tell slaves to be subject to their masters and please them in every way... | Submission and pleasing masters |
| 1 Pet 2:18 | Slaves, in reverent fear of God, be subject to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. | Endurance of difficult masters |
| Philem 1:15 | Perhaps the reason he went away and was separated from you for a while was that you might have him back for good, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother— | Brotherly love transcending status |
| Matt 22:39 | "Love your neighbor as yourself." | Greatest commandment, universal application |
| 1 Cor 7:22 | For the one who was a slave when called to the Lord is the Lord’s free person; similarly, the one who was a slaveholder when called is Christ’s slave. | Christian freedom redefines earthly roles |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ... | Unity in the church |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Equality in Christ |
| Rom 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Mutual respect and honor |
| Eph 6:6 | not only while they are watched, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. | Motivation of serving Christ |
| Col 4:1 | Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. | Reciprocal responsibility |
| 1 Tim 5:17 | Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor... | Respect for leadership |
| Heb 13:17 | Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. | Submission to spiritual leaders |
| 1 John 4:7 | Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... | Love as evidence of salvation |
| Rom 6:18 | You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. | New identity in Christ |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Humility and considering others better |
| 1 Thes 4:12 | so that you may walk properly in the eyes of outsiders and be dependent on no one. | Witness to unbelievers |
| Mark 9:35 | And he sat down and called the twelve. And said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” | Service and humility |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. | Doing all to God's glory |
1 Timothy 6 verses
1 Timothy 6 2 Meaning
This verse addresses servants, specifically those who are under a master's authority. It emphasizes that those who have believing masters should not treat them with less respect or service because of their shared faith. Instead, they should serve their believing masters all the more. The reason given is that these masters are "beloved" and "partakers of the benefit," highlighting their spiritual connection and shared participation in God's grace and salvation.
1 Timothy 6 2 Context
First Timothy is a pastoral epistle written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy. Its purpose was to provide instruction and encouragement as Timothy ministered in the church at Ephesus. Chapter 6 addresses various issues, including greed, contentment, and false teachers. The specific context of 1 Timothy 6:1-2 is a set of instructions Paul gives to Timothy regarding how slaves should behave toward their masters. This is part of a broader section (1 Tim 6:1-10) dealing with the responsibilities of those in various social positions within the household and the church, and the dangers associated with wealth and the pursuit of it. The socio-economic reality of the Roman Empire heavily featured slavery, and Christian teaching sought to address this reality without advocating for social upheaval, but rather by transforming relationships from within based on Christ's lordship.
1 Timothy 6 2 Word Analysis
- Prostatetās (προστάτην): Master, Lord, ruler.
- Refers to someone in a position of authority, ownership, or leadership. In the context of slavery, it signifies the owner or overseer.
- Ontas (ὄντας): Being, existing.
- Implies their present status or condition as masters.
- Metapeidoutas (μεταπειθούντας): To persuade, to dissuade, to convince.
- Here, it's used in a negative sense: not to persuade them away from something.
- Epidein (ἐπιδεῖν): To look upon, to regard, to respect.
- Implies not to disrespect or look down upon.
- Aloyomous (ἀλοιγμοὺς): Contempt, disdain, disregard.
- Means to treat with irreverence or lack of honor.
- Philadelfous (φιλ