Imagine being a Christian doulos in 1st-century Ephesus. Which of these two situations would be harder for you: serving under a non-Christian master or under a Christian one? Paul’s counsel in both situations is similar. In neither case is it easy.
6.1 Ὅσοι εἰσὶν ὑπὸ ζυγὸν δοῦλοι, τοὺς ἰδίους δεσπότας πάσης τιμῆς ἀξίους ἡγείσθωσαν, ἵνα μὴ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ διδασκαλία βλασφημῆται.
Translation: All those slaves that are under a yoke, let them consider their own masters to be worthy of all honor, in order that the name of God and the teaching not be slandered.
In the Roman Empire, about one-third of the population were douloi. Paul touches on the lives of slaves and masters in 1 Corinthians, in the prison epistles, and in the pastoral epistles. Sometimes Paul addresses both groups. Here he addresses only slaves.
In verse 1, ὑπὸ ζυγὸν suggests that these slaves are under unbelieving masters. A doulos’s life would be more burdensome when his master is not a fellow believer. Surprisingly, Paul says that Christian douloi are to consider ungodly masters πάσης τιμῆς ἀξίους. Such respect would show in the words and service of the believing douloi. Paul gives the reason: so unbelieving masters and others in society do not slander God and his Word.
Paul’s focus is the name of God and the spread of the gospel. He himself gave up physical comfort so that the gospel would not be hindered. Here he says that all believers, including douloi, will care above all that God’s name is hallowed and that his kingdom comes.
Such thinking does not come naturally. My sinful flesh prioritizes my comfort, my rights, and my livelihood above the way God saves sinners. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit changes my thinking by assuring me of forgiveness, life, and eternal salvation in Christ. He enables me to shine in this sinful world as a righteous child of my heavenly Father.
The gentleness and respect that God’s people show in tough situations gives powerful testimony that their hope is not in this world.
In the next verse, Paul shifts to a more complex relationship.
2 οἱ δὲ πιστοὺς ἔχοντες δεσπότας μὴ καταφρονείτωσαν, ὅτι ἀδελφοί εἰσιν· ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον δουλευέτωσαν, ὅτι πιστοί εἰσιν καὶ ἀγαπητοὶ οἱ τῆς εὐεργεσίας ἀντιλαμβανόμενοι.
Translation: Let those who have believing masters not despise them because of their being brothers. Rather they must serve all the more, because the ones who receive the benefit of their service are believers, dearly loved.
Verse 2 describes a different situation: a Christian doulos with a Christian master. One might expect things to be easier when both share the same faith. Paul knows such relationships can be complex. A fire might burn in the slave’s heart: “If we are brothers in Christ, equal before God and co-heirs of glory, why are we not equal in this world?” A believing doulos might chafe under this arrangement. He might despise his Christian master for not working to change the social structures.
Paul surprises us. A believing doulos with a believing master has even more reason to serve faithfully: because his master is a believer, dearly loved by God. (Note: Slavery and poverty are realities in a sin-filled world. Paul does not challenge slavery here, but this is not to say that he endorses it. In his letter to Philemon, Paul even suggests that Onesimus be granted freedom.)
Serving others, submitting to authority, and contentment do not come naturally. My sinful flesh is never satisfied. It likes to compare. It complains when life is not fair. It is quick to judge fellow believers when their words or actions do not align with my hopes and expectations. My sinful flesh is not inclined to look at fellow believers and focus on their redemption by Christ, their Spirit-wrought faith, and the great love that my heavenly Father has for them. Thanks be to God! The Holy Spirit changes my thinking by the gospel. He enables me to think godly thoughts about the believers God has put into my life and to show them love.
When I express love to God’s people—regardless of how we relate to each other—I reflect what the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do for them and for me.
Ταῦτα δίδασκε καὶ παρακάλει.
Translation: Continue to teach and urge these things.
Ταῦτα sentences in the Pastoral Epistles look back at previous content. In this case, Paul is probably referring to all his instructions to Timothy regarding various people groups, not just to these two verses about douloi.
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son to set me free from the tyranny of sin, death, and the devil. Thank you for the gracious privilege of serving as a shepherd under Christ. When I face difficulties in life, keep me focused on you and your kingdom. Be with Christians around the world, including tent-ministers, who may be working for oppressive, unbelieving employers. Comfort and sustain them by your good Spirit; in the name of Jesus. Amen.
P.S. For further reading, we recommend Pres. emeritus David Valleskey’s recent book, The Splendid Task of the Ministry: A Pastoral Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (NPH, 2023).