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Daily Devotions

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 
Day 
Day 89

"Bondservants... masters..."

Text: 1 Timothy 6:1


LIFE IN THE FIRST CENTURY

We sometimes forget that the apostle Paul wrote in the first century. Life was very different then. The Romans ruled their empire with an iron fist.

Society then was very different compared to our times. Nevertheless the admonition Paul gave was relevant to this day and age. The words of wisdom contained in the following text transcends time. These words of advice are still relevant to us today.

“Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke
count their own masters worthy of all honour,
so that the name of God and His doctrine may not
be blasphemed.”
1 Timothy 6:1

1. “Bondservants… masters”

These two classes existed in the first century. These two classes were distinct one from the other.

 

2. “Bondservants”

a) Bondservants are actually “slaves”.
b) People may be enslaved in a number of ways:-
i) Through war (the defeated become slaves).
ii) Through being convicted of crime against the state.
iii) Through criminal activities (kidnapped and sold).
c) It was very hard to obtain freedom.

 

3. “Masters”

a) These were often Romans.
i) They could be wealthy and powerful people.
ii) They could be commanders.
b) There were other people who could afford to own slaves.
i) Wealthy (non-Romans) employers own slaves too.
ii) The slaves they owned were deployed in various ways.
iii) Many of them served as household slaves.

 

THE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE

The Christian gospel reached far and wide.

1. Believers were found in both social groups and a great challenge arose.

2. How should Christian slaves regard their masters (Christians/ non-Christian owners)?

3. How should Christian masters treat their slaves?

These were issues that Paul had to give wise counsel to Timothy as he ministered in Ephesus.