A note from our Pastor:

”Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”

1 Timothy 6:1

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

Our study verse this week begins the last chapter of 1 Timothy. As the chapter begins, the Apostle Paul continues with instructions to Timothy on how ministers should conduct themselves. The instructions address conduct within the ministry but also approaches to situations in their secular lives. The circumstances the Apostle addresses to begin this chapter are foreign to most disciples today and, thus, require an understanding of the context before the application of the lesson.

The situation the Apostle is addressing in this verse and the ones that immediately follow were disciples who were in slavery in the secular world. In August of 2022, we studied Ephesians 6:5, https://amarillopbc.org/2022/08/04/servants-ephesians-65/, which also discusses the conduct of Christian slaves. As stated in that study, the bible does not endorse or condone slavery. However, the Apostle and other teachers recognized the need to focus on the teachings of Christ, build the behavior of the disciples, and pray for the slow change of society away from slavery. That mindset is the basis of the teaching in this verse.

The Apostle had left the care of the community of believers at Ephesus to Timothy in his absence. Based on the writings in Ephesians we know the community of believers contained individuals who were enslaved in the society but still permitted to worship in the New Testament church. From our study verse this week, we learn that at least some of those who were called by God to preach the gospel were also in a state of being enslaved in the secular world. Thus, in this verse, there is a dual reference to servitude. The Apostle calls them servants and says they are under the yoke. Either of those references could be applied to the gospel ministry and either could be applied to the secular enslavement.

The instruction the Apostle gives was focused on a singular point — those called to the ministry, should not allow their calling to make them behave in a way that was defiant of their masters in the secular world. In their day-to-day conduct, they should show their natural masters all of the due respect and honor. They should behave themselves in an obedient manner and set an example of appropriate conduct. Why? If their belief and even more so their calling caused them to be defiant it would cause those over them, who were not believers, to blaspheme Jesus Christ. In other words, a rebellious attitude would be blamed on their belief and terrible rumors and lies would be spread about the community of believers and their faith.

The application of this verse to the modern disciple, especially in America, is a bit difficult to see. Although the world has always been plagued by slavery, its impacts on modern American life are miniscule. The general application is this — the disciple, including the ministry, should be cautious of developing a self-righteous attitude because of their faith. The disciple should be careful to not become the moral authority in their secular life that passes judgment on the behavior of others, the policies of the workplace, or other aspects of day-to-day living. Rather, the faith of the disciple should cause them to love one another, demonstrate their faith through their walk, and influence others by their humble actions. In doing so, they build respect for those with faith.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah