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Those who are under the yoke as slaves[a] must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent[b] the name of God and Christian teaching[c] from being discredited.[d] But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect[e] because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.[f]

Summary of Timothy’s Duties

Teach them and exhort them about these things.[g]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:1 tn Traditionally, “servants.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). One good translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος) in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force. Also, many slaves in the Roman world became slaves through Rome’s subjugation of conquered nations, kidnapping, or by being born into slave households.
  2. 1 Timothy 6:1 tn Grk “that the name…may not be slandered” (a continuation of the preceding sentence).
  3. 1 Timothy 6:1 tn Grk “the teaching.”
  4. 1 Timothy 6:1 tn Or “slandered.”
  5. 1 Timothy 6:2 tn Or “think the less of them”; Grk “despise them,” “look down on them.”
  6. 1 Timothy 6:2 tn Or “those who devote themselves to service are faithful and dearly loved” (referring to slaves who serve them).
  7. 1 Timothy 6:2 tn Grk “these things teach and exhort.”

Honoring Masters

All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters[a] as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name(A) and his teaching will not be blasphemed. Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.[b](B)

False Doctrine and Human Greed

Teach and encourage these things.

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Footnotes

  1. 6:1 Or owners
  2. 6:2 Or because, as believers who are dearly loved, they are devoted to others’ welfare