Read & explore together
Serving with Honor
These two verses give instructions to bondservants about honour and service. The letter connects their conduct with God’s name, the doctrine, and the special case where a master is also a believer.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is part of a letter’s teaching. It speaks directly to bondservants in two situations: first under masters generally, then under believing masters particularly. It ends with “Teach and exhort these things,” showing that these instructions are presented for clear ongoing teaching.
1 Timothy 6:1–2Main takeaway
This passage instructs bondservants to show honour to their masters and to serve believing masters without contempt, with concern for God’s name and the doctrine.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Bondservants under the yokeThe opening words, “as many as are bondservants under the yoke”, identify people in a heavy and constrained position.
Explanation
The opening words, “as many as are bondservants under the yoke”, identify people in a heavy and constrained position. They are told to “count their own masters worthy of all honor”. The verse speaks about their response toward “their own masters”, using the language of honour in that setting.
02God’s name and the doctrineVerse 1 gives the stated reason for this honour: “that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.”
Explanation
Verse 1 gives the stated reason for this honour: “that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.” The instruction is therefore linked to how God’s name and the teaching are spoken against. The passage ties conduct in this relationship to regard for both.
03Believing masters and brotherhoodVerse 2 turns to bondservants who have “believing masters”. They are told not to “despise them because they are brothers”.
Explanation
Verse 2 turns to bondservants who have “believing masters”. They are told not to “despise them because they are brothers”. Shared belief creates a family-like relationship, yet this is not to become a reason for contempt or a reduced willingness to serve.
04Serve them, and teach thisInstead of despising believing masters, bondservants are told, “rather let them serve them”.
Explanation
Instead of despising believing masters, bondservants are told, “rather let them serve them”. The reason given is that those receiving the benefit are “believing and beloved”. The closing command, “Teach and exhort these things,” shows this instruction is to be stated plainly and urged seriously.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reason does verse 1 give for counting masters worthy of all honour?
Look for the words after “that” and notice the link with “the name of God” and “the doctrine”.
02In verse 2, what wrong attitude is specifically warned against when a master is a brother?
Find the phrase “let them not despise them because they are brothers” and then read the command that replaces it.
03Which exact words describe those who receive the benefit in verse 2?
Read the end of the verse and list the descriptive words used there.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Timothy 6:1–2
1Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.
2Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.