1 Timothy 6:1–2 (ESV)
Instructions for the Church
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 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.
It is interesting
that today’s reading begins by talking about “under the yoke as bondservants”. Slaves were under the yoke of their masters. No one likes being told what to do and even worse, being owned and treated as an animal or possession.
Slavery is not new to history. Unfortunately, our country had slaves. There were slaves in Paul’s days too… that is why he is writing about it. God’s own people were slaves in Egypt for 400 years. Paul is telling
and teaching that slaves are to “regard their own masters as worthy of all honor.” Instead of being rebellious, to honor them. Even more so if they are believers in Christ… which makes them brothers in Christ. This ties
into loving your neighbor as yourself.
I pray: O Lord, help me to love You with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind… and
to love my neighbor as myself. And to love my enemies and to pray for them. Amen.