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Conduct
between slaves and masters
introduction:
In Paul's
letter to Timothy, he discusses the church's conduct
concerning preachers, widows, elders, and now, in our text,
slaves and masters. It has been estimated that there were 60
million slaves in the Roman Empire at the time of this
letter was written. Some say the entire economy was built on
slavery. Masters could legally do whatever they wanted with
their slaves. They were considered merely property. It is in
this background of the times that Paul writes about how
Christian slaves are to conduct themselves.
Text: 1
Timothy 6: 1, 2
1.
conduct toward all masters
(verse 1)
Christian slaves were to respect their
owners, whether they were Christian or not. Ephesian 6: 5-8
points out how this respect can be shown. Two reasons are
given as to why Christian slaves were to respect their
masters:
·
So God's name would not
be blasphemed. If these slaves rebelled and caused their
owners difficulty, God's name would be dishonored. Christian
slaves needed to remember they were not just slaves to their
owners, but to the lord as well (Colossians 3: 22-25).
·
So godly doctrine would
not be blasphemed. It is supposed to make people better. If
they show disrespect, their owners would speak of Christ’s
teachings. If the Christian slave didn't act any better than
the non Christian slaves, what difference would Jesus
teaching have? Do we have a good moral reputation in our
community in mark
2.
Conduct towards believing
masters (verse 2 )
a Christian slave should not despise, think
likely of, or be disrespectful to his Christian owner. A
slave was to remember his own position as well as that of
his master. Even though they were both brothers in Christ,
their working relationship had not changed. Rather Christian
slaves were to serve or slave for them all the more. This
would be benefiting, producing fruit, for a fellow Christian
(Christian master).
The book of Philemon touches upon the conduct
between a Christian slave (Onesimus) and his Christian owner
(Philemon). That relationship did not change when Paul
converted Onesimus to Christ. Paul sent him back to Philemon
for this was the right thing to do. But a new additional
relationship had been formed. They were both now brothers in
Christ.
3.
Appropriate lessons:
·
Christianity has the
power to enter any culture and mold people so they can live
with one another even the master slave relationship is
bearable if both parties show godly characteristics and both
exhibit brotherly love ( 1 john 4: 10, 11 ).
·
Search is not appointed
by God to excite social reform. It is not a political tool.
The issue of slavery is an excellent example. For the church
to have encouraged slaves to revolt and rebel against their
masters would have been fatal. It would have caused chaos,
civil war and the complete discredit of the church.
Christianity did teach that Christians were to be good,
responsible citizens of society. The gospel, when believed
and obeyed, did eventually change society into a better one.
It teaches that all men are created equal and are made in
the image of God, and that all life is precious.
4.
Invitation:
the gospel changes people from the inside out
(Romans 12: 1, 2). The world should see Christ living in us.
Christians make any society a better one by living and
abiding by Christian principles.
May 24,
2020
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford
The church
of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more
lessons and Sermons, please visit
granbychurchofchrist.org/
granbychurchofchrist.com/
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The
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