I Timothy 6:1-2

1. Intro.
1. slavery has a prominent and accepted part of the civilization in Paul’s day
1. slavery is contrary to the gospel, but the church leaders did not make an issue of it
2. nowhere in the Bible is the institution of slavery directly attacked
2. why didn’t Paul speak out against slavery?
1. was he less concerned than our present day civil rights workers
2. early Christians were convinced that the Lord would return in the near future
1. better to spend one’s time in telling the good news than attempting to reform a deeply ingrained social custom
2. to have urged rebellion would have risk the lives of many & would have diverted the energies of the church from its major priority
3. Christianity did have an impact on the institution of slavery
1. Christianity has been the major force in changing man’s understanding of the value of the individual
2. all men are of equal value before God
3. this knowledge leads to the overthrow of slavery
3. with both slaves and masters being the members of the same church, a dilemma existed
1. in the spiritual realm there was equality
2. in the natural realm there was superiority & inferiority
3. how are they to treat each other
4. Paul does not deal with this problem on the bases of theory
5. Paul’s solution is that everyone is responsible for proper Christian conduct in all situations
2. duties to the unsaved master - 6:1
1. the temptation would be to look down on the unsaved master
1. unsaved masters regarded slaves as property (cattle)
2. the Christian slave had found self respect & worth in his relationship to Christ
2. a Christian slave was to serve his unsaved master respectfully
1. the honor given to the owner was based upon his position & not his character
2. the slaves new found liberty in Christ is no excuse for less faithful service
3. failure to show proper respect would cause God’s name & His doctrine to be blasphemed
1. not only would the offending slave be beaten, but the gospel & the Lord would be blamed
2. it was important that the church give no reason for the unsaved to slander God or His teachings
3. to be blameless was a major principle in Paul’s exhortation to the church
4. salvation should make any person a more responsible citizen & worker
3. duties to the saved masters - 6:2
1. a Christian slave should serve his believing master even better
1. a Christian slave should not despise his believing master - "not despise"
1. brothers should not despise each other
2. it is never right to do wrong to another
2. a Christian slave was to serve his believing master faithfully - "do them service"
2. at first glance this admonition might seem unnecessary, but practical experience has shown that trouble often arises
1. in this case it would be easy for slaves to take unwarranted liberties with their masters
2. the freedom of class distinctions in the spiritual life might cause them to think that such freedom was extended to all relationships
3. Christian slave owners were not compelled to free all their slaves (Philemon)
4. equality in Christ must not become a cause of disrespect
3. the motive for the better service is the common faith & brotherly love