As Paul the
apostle continued to instruct Timothy concerning people and
relationships within the church, he began his last chapter with
“servants” and “masters”. We may be more able
to relate using the terms “employees” and “employers” so we
understand what Paul is attempting to communicate. In chapter six and
verse two of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives directions concerning
“believing masters” where we read:
And
they that have believing masters, let them not despise them,
because they are brethren; but rather do them
service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the
benefit. These things teach and exhort.
The verse begins, “And
they that have believing masters, let them not despise them,
because they are brethren;” Paul
added to the previous verse with the word, “And”
which means “but, moreover, in addition to” “they
that have”
or “hold, own or possess” “believing”
which refers
to “trusting, faithful and confiding”
“masters” who are
“lords and ones who have absolute power and control over servants”
“let them not despise”
which is the Greek phrase “kataphroneō mē
kataphroneō” and
means “do not allow them to contemn, despise, disdain or think
little or nothing of” “them”.
Paul
went on to write, “because”
or “that, since and on account of” “they
are brethren”
or “brothers in Christ”. It seems there was a tendency for
“servants”
to “despise”
their “masters”
particularly when the “masters”
were believers in Christ, and Paul knew this error needed to be
addressed.
The
verse goes on to say, “but rather do
them service,
because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.”
Paul
continued his thought with the disassociation conjunction, “but”
which means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was
previously written, “rather”
or “more, to a greater degree, more
willingly, more readily and sooner” “do
them service” which means “be a slave,
serve, obey and submit to them”. This is in contrast to the way
servants normally behave, and the reason they should act in this
manner is, “because”
or “that, since or on account of” “they
are faithful” which means “trusty,
faithful, believing and confiding” “and
beloved” or “esteemed, dear, favorite and
worthy of love”. Paul continued with, “partakers”
or “those who lay hold of, hold fast and embrace” “of
the benefit” which refers to “good
deeds”. Paul declared the “believing
masters” were worthy of being served
because they were trusting in the Lord and well loved by Him.
Finally
the verse says, “These things teach and exhort.” Paul
finished this verse with, “These things” which
refers to the ideas he just provided, “teach”
which means “impart, instill, explain and expound” “and
exhort” or “call to one's
side, call for, summon, beg, entreat and beseech”. Timothy
was not only to receive these ideas from Paul, but he was to be a
faithful “teacher” and “exhorter” of the same.
While we think
about Paul's words, it will be helpful to understand some of the
dynamics which were occurring during the time of the writings.
Sometimes “masters” were new to the faith and participants
within the church, and “servants” were there for quite
some time. In the church, “servants” were sometimes
“elders” and part of the leadership of the church, and
“masters” were part of the laity. This made for
interesting relationships. At “work” a “servant” was
under the leadership of the “master”, and at church, the
“master” was under the leadership of the “servant”.
Can we see how this would be a little difficult to manage? Sometimes
believing “servants” thought they should be given special
privileges because they were fellow-believers within the church, and
when they were treated as “servants” they were being
abused. Sometimes this happens with believing “employees” and
“employers” as well. As Christians, we should always seek to do
“whatever we do as unto the Lord and not unto men”
regardless of whether our superior is a believer or not. We must
remember, the Lord and people are watching us, and when we provide
the service we should whether we are “servants” or
“masters”, we are in alignment with the ways of Jesus
Christ. May He give us the strength and wisdom to serve Him in the
manner He deserves.
Next
time Paul begins to share about those who teach things other than
“the words of Jesus Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall
join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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