1 Timothy 6:1-2

Paul did not live in the land of “ought-to-be,” he lived in the Roman Empire. In Rome, slavery was a reality, and Paul, knowing that slavery was evil, did not change that. The early church was not in a position to address the issue. They could not overthrow the institution of slavery and outlaw it, nor could they overthrow the Roman government. Paul writes nothing directly about the institution of slavery. Slavery is a moral issue that only the society could correct. Paul knew that when enough people in the society were living like Christ, the society would abolish slavery. Paul’s discernment was with the relationships between Christian slaves and their masters. Defining a right relationship between a Christian slave and his or her master would be different depending upon whether the master was a Christian or a non-believer.

Christian slaves in bondage to a non-believer had extra obligations. They were responsible for the relationship with their master, but they were also responsible for how that relationship reflected upon the name of God and the teachings of Jesus. Paul knew that some masters were wicked and did not deserve respect, but he told Christian slaves to be respectful to their masters anyway. They were to consider their masters as being worthy of respect for Christ sake.

Because of realities in the Roman Empire, a Christian master would not just set his slaves free. They would have ended up slaves again almost immediately, with an unrighteous master. Instead, because they were brothers and sisters in Christ, Christian masters devoted themselves to the welfare of their slaves. Paul said Christian slaves should not take advantage of this special relationship just as Christians should not take advantage of family members.

Christians still do not live in the land of “ought-to-be.” We often find ourselves in relationships that are difficult, with people we are tempted to disrespect. It is unrighteous for us to disrespect anyone. Because we act in the name of Jesus, we are respectful to everyone.