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"That the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed."

VITAL THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND

The apostle Paul did not attempt to change the social order of the day. His focus was to give godly advice to both slaves and masters with the glory of God’s name in mind.

“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. “Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke”

a) The word “bondservants” literally means “slaves”.

b) They are well described as being “under the yoke”.

i) The work “yoke” may evoke pictures of animals put to hard work.

ii) It may well reflect the hardship that slaves have to endure under their masters.

iii) Slaves were not paid for their labour.

iv) Often slaves were cruelly treated by bad masters.

2. “Count their own masters worthy of all honour”

a) Christian slaves were admonished to respect their masters.

b) They are to be regarded as people “worthy of honour”.

3. Two things are to be borne in mind especially

a) “The name of God”

i) Christians bear the name of the Lord.

ii) The name of God may be blasphemed if the slaves behaved poorly.

iii) The name of God ought to be upheld by every believer including Christian slaves.

b) “His doctrine”

i) This is a reference to the teachings of the Lord.

ii) It is quite amazing that slaves could receive Biblical teachings.

iii) The doctrines of God also reflect on the name of God.

HOW WERE CHRISTIAN SLAVES TAUGHT?

We do not have many details about the ministry to slaves. However in Paul’s letter to Philemon we have a special example.

1. Paul reached out to a slave called Onesimus and led him to faith in Christ.

.2. Onesimus became a spiritual son to Paul and ministered to him while he was in prison.