Ver. 1. Let as many servants as are under the yoke…
Not
1 Timothy 6:2
And they that have believing masters…
That believe in
one God, in opposition to the Gentiles, that held many gods, and in
Jesus Christ, in distinction from the Jews; who believed in him with
the heart, and professed him with their mouths, and held the mystery
of faith in a pure conscience. What is said before, is said to
servants that had unbelieving masters; who would be ready to
blaspheme, should they act amiss. Servants were under a snare both
ways, through the insinuations of false teachers; who suggested,
that their servitude was not consistent with their Christian
liberty; that they ought not to serve wicked men, because being
called of God, they were advanced above them; nor good men, because
they were upon a level with them. But the apostle teaches another
doctrine;
let them not despise [them], because they are brethren;
of the same
family named of Christ, and of the same household of God, and of
faith, and have the same father; for though with regard to spiritual
blessings, privileges, and ordinances, they were equal; yet not with
regard to temporal and civil affairs; and therefore should not treat
them with less respect, or be more backward to obey their lawful
commands, on that account:
but rather do [them] service;
more heartily, and with a greater good
will, as to the Lord; these masters belonging to him, and being
engaged in his cause; which they, their servants, by yielding a
cheerful obedience to them, are assisting in: and the rather,
because they are faithful;
in lesser things, in giving to them,
their servants, what is just and equal, proper food and suitable
raiment, and their just wages; and in using their wealth and riches
in a good way, for the interest of Christ, the assistance of the
poor saints, and the spreading of the Gospel; and so in greater
things, by holding fast the profession of their faith, adhering to
Christ, his truths and ordinances: or "because they are believing,
or believers"; it is the same word as before used; and therefore
they should be precious to them, and high in their esteem; for faith
is a precious grace, and such as have it are chosen of God, and
precious:
and beloved;
of God, who had chosen them to salvation; and of
Christ, who had redeemed them by his blood; and of the saints, who
are taught of God to love one another; and this is another reason
why they should be served, and not despised; and a third follows:
partakers of the benefit;
of the free grace of God; of redemption
and salvation by Jesus Christ, and of all spiritual blessings in
him; and therefore should serve them the more cheerfully. The Syriac
version renders it, "such as enjoy rest in", or "are refreshed by
their service"; or "by their service to them", as the Arabic
version: the sense is, that when believing servants serve their
believing masters readily and faithfully, their masters are
well pleased with them, delight in their service, and consider it as
a benefit to them, and a kindness done them; and which therefore
should animate and encourage them to serve them. Some understand
these characters of
faithful and beloved,
of the servants' themselves; that because they
are such; therefore they should serve, and not despise their
believing masters; and particularly the last clause, which may be
rendered, "who in return receive a benefit from them", as food,
raiment, and wages; and besides, they are used with humanity and
kindness, and in a manner becoming Christians; to which agrees the
Ethiopic version, which renders it, "who will receive and help you";
will take care of you, and assist you, and supply you with what is
proper and necessary:
these things teach and exhort;
the Syriac and Arabic versions add
them; the servants. The apostle was not above instructing and
exhorting persons of such a capacity, and in so low a state of life;
and it became Timothy to do so likewise; and every minister of the
word.
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