1 Timothy 6:1-2 (ESV)
Let all who are under
a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that
the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing
masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather
they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service
are believers and beloved.
These verses are hard for us to read. Slaves are to honor their masters,
especially believing masters. This is by no means a validation of slavery, although
is has been used that way in the past. Elsewhere Paul encourages slaves to gain
their freedom if they are able, and masters to treat their slaves like
brothers. This country, and much of the world, rightly outlawed slavery. To justify
slavery is to justify treating a person created in the image of God as a piece
of property rather than a human being.
That being said, there is a deeper truth here that is even harder for us. That
is, responding to unjust treatment. How do we respond to others, particularly
believers, when we are treated unjustly or unfairly, or when we do not believe
that they deserve the respect their office requires? Our American sense of
individual worth is quickly offended by the idea that I am expected to respect
someone who treats me unjustly or unfairly. Our emphasis on individual equality
often moves us to disrespect those in office with whom we disagree. Yet Jesus example
stands for us to follow. Whether he approved of the High Priest, Herod, or Pontius
Pilate, he did not disrespect them. After Jesus example, the twelve Apostles
and Paul practiced the same respect. They were willing to lay aside their
personal rights in order to practice the humility of Christ. We would do well
to follow Paul’s teaching and their example.
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