FDYM Reading Plan- 1 Timothy 6:1-3, post by acon

 

 Honor Masters- 1 Timothy 6:1-3

6 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. ² And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

A "Bondservant" can often be thought of in a negative connotation. "Bondservant" can be translated as "slave." My first thought when I hear the word "slave," is our American history when slavery was a legal institution, and how our country waged war over the abolition of slavery verses the expansion of slavery. And of course as you all probably know was abolished sometime in the late 1800's. My second thought when I hear the word, "slave" is when someone responds "What am I? Your slave?" I feel, as Americans, growing up in a "free country" we have the tendency to have a heart that says those words, "What am I? Your slave?" I recall that as a pretty regular quote growing up- and not just as Americans, but as sinners living in a sinful world. We tend to have that heart, a heart that does not want to submit but to do things as we please, when it benefits us, because we can; because we have "the right." But how does Christ call us to respond? What does bondservant mean to us as Christians?  

Let's take a look at what scripture says... in Romans 1:1 and in Philipians 1:1 Paul describes himself as a "Bondservant of Jesus Christ." We see here that he is using it to describe his servantship to Christ. Paul takes what is typically a negative word in his day and age as well, and uses it to describe one who cheerfully and voluntarily (by the grace of God) commits to serving his Master who is Jesus Christ. So 1 Timothy, v6 says, 

" 6 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor..." So Paul is exhorting Timothy to teach others that they are to honor their "Masters." Obviously, we know that ultimately as Christians Christ is our Master first and foremost. But Paul is saying that in order to be Christ-like examples and to be light and salt to the earth that we should work as unto the Lord. By working hard and being submissive, He enables us to work unto the glory of God. The word, "honor" in the verse translates to steadfast and faithful labor to those we work for. Also, we see in Philippians 2:7 says, "but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men." We see that Christ humbled himself, and was a bondservant, may we have servant's hearts as Christ did. May we serve Christ by serving and submitting to others.  

"...so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed." How we as followers of Jesus Christ behave at work under the authority of another impacts the way that people perceive the gospel. I pray that we would by God's enabling and our toiling that we would be submissive and respectful to those over us and that our work would be unto the Lord; that through us (because of Christ) people would see the gospel for what it is- GLORIOUS.

² And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Paul urges us to not have lack of diligence to Christian authority, but that that is all the more reason to work faithfully! Our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ should show through our hard work.

Be a bondservant for Christ!

-acon :D