1 Timothy 6:1–2 - Liberty Laid Down

Well, yesterday our nation celebrated its 250th anniversary. Quite a milestone! Certainly, it’s fitting that we thank God. We should give Him glory for the many liberties He has graciously given us.

Civil and religious freedoms are blessings we shouldn’t take for granted. We live in a nation founded upon liberty, so we’ve become very accustomed to speaking the language of rights. We know and defend our rights, and we’re grateful for them, as we should be.

These first verses of 1 Timothy 6 deal with the subject of rights. They deal with liberty and with the appropriate times to set liberty aside. That may seem like a strange subject on the day after Independence Day.

But while we rightly celebrate political independence, Scripture reminds us that the ultimate state of our existence is one of dependence, not independence. One scholar writes that in the biblical view, “man exists only as a creature, only in a relation of dependency on a superior power; his vaunted freedom and independence is illusory.”

Even in a great nation like the United States, where so many liberties are expected and enjoyed, in the terminology of Scripture, each of us is a slave. As that same scholar observes, “If not enslaved to God, then enslaved to sin.”

For those set free from sin’s slavery through Christ, there remains times when the glory of God is better served not by insisting upon our rights, but rather, by surrendering them. We naturally stand on our rights. When they are challenged, we resort to resentment, disrespect, or rebellion. But there is a response that glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s possible through our union with Him by faith. As God the Father conforms us to the image of His Son, He produces humility in us. In turn we honor those in authority over us and glorify Him through our willing obedience. This happens as we draw life from Christ Himself, which occurs as behold our Lord and Master who bought us.

Who better to observe than Him who, though He was Master of all, laid down His rights and took the form of a slave for our salvation?

Who better to study than Him who, though He was Lord of all, did not resent, disrespect, or rebel, but instead humbled Himself?

Philippians 2 says Christ became obedient to the point of death on a cross. And receiving the life He gives, like our Master who bought us, we can submit to sinful authorities for the name and gospel of God, and lower ourselves to serve brothers for the glory of God.

Now obviously, this passage deals with the sensitive topic of slavery. However, there are some distinctions between the slavery addressed in the NT and the race-based chattel slavery of early America. In the Roman world, slavery included people from many ethnic backgrounds. Some slaves could earn money, hold positions of responsibility, and eventually obtain freedom. At the same time, it was still slavery. Bondservants were the legal property of their masters and could be bought and sold.

But even with the guidance Paul gives here to slaves or “bondservants,” he doesn’t promote or defend slavery. If we back up to 1 Timothy ch. 1, among the heinous, ungodly groups Paul lists he includes “enslavers.” Kidnappers, man-stealers, or slave-dealers are all suitable translations here.

In 1 Corinthians 7 gives this guidance to a church that included some slaves: “Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches…Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant [slave] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)”

These statements – along with OT Scripture – are enough to demonstrate that the Bible doesn’t promote or defend slavery.

And yet, it was a common institution throughout the ancient world, but Paul's concern was not to incite an immediate revolution against it. Pastorally, here he instructs the young pastor Timothy in how to shepherd those in his congregation in those circumstances. But by condemning enslavers, encouraging freedom where possible, and teaching that masters and slaves are brothers in Christ, Paul lays out the principles that would ultimately be slavery’s undoing.

Now look at verse 1 again, “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.” This command implies that this isn’t a natural response. Paul assumes that their instinct would be quite the opposite: things like resentment, disrespect, grumbling, even rebellion.

What kind of masters were in view here? Well, verse 2 refers to “believing masters,” so Paul seems to have non-believing masters in mind here in verse 1. These are sinful authorities. These are not masters who are also Christians.

Have you ever had an employer or a boss who wasn’t fair or just? Or perhaps, for some reason or another, the boss didn’t command your respect? It could have been because of how they treated you or someone else, and maybe because of their decision making or their work ethic.

Whatever the reason, they were in a position of authority over you, you despised them. Perhaps complained excessively about them, or just didn’t support them wholeheartedly. It’s difficult when you don’t respect an authority figure! It was probably very difficult for these first-century bondservants – ones who had non-Christian masters who were likely very ungodly.

What were they to do? Get their freedom if they could. But if not, Paul says regard the authority “as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.” The word “honor” comes up again, as it did in the previous sections about destitute widows and ordained elders. This calls for reverence, respect, and even labor that benefits the master.

But even as the ungodly earthly master benefits, so does God. His “name” and “the teaching” are exalted. “Name” equates to the reputation of the one true God in the world. As those “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,” believers represent the triune God in the world. We have an effect on what non-believers think of our God and “the teaching” or doctrine of God – specifically, His gospel. Paul says that how we behave may lead either to the slander or the praise of the faith.

I assume you’ve never heard of British Wing Commander Mark Dunlop. He was a squadron commander in Great Britain’s Royal Air Force. But you’ve probably heard of one of the pilots under his command: William, Prince of Wales.

William was the grandson of the Queen of England and second in line to the throne during his time in the British military when he served under Dunlop’s authority. Dunlop said of the Prince, “When he was serving with us he was a very good pilot. He would come on shift and do all the duties associated with going on shift. He would live and work with his crew, go on rescues with his crew, eat with his crew. He was just another one of the guys.”

Though he was the future king of England, Prince William behaved this way because he served something greater than the squadron commander. His allegiance was to His country and the honor of the uniform.

In Colossians 3, Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” That is the command.

Where does the strength come from to obey it? From our Master who bought us. From Christ, who purchased our freedom from sin and death, who absorbed the cost of our guilt and wrongdoing against the one true God. To accomplish that redemption, He submitted even to sinful authorities, both the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. And in doing so, He fulfilled the Father’s will, He saved His people, and He magnified and honored the name and gospel of God.

Like our Master who bought us, we can submit to sinful authorities for that same name and gospel. In union with Him, by His Spirit’s power, we can. If God has placed you under unjust, unfair, or ungodly authority, He will sustain you. Look to your Master who bought you. Speak to Him, and find comfort and strength in Him.

Now look at verse [2] Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers.” The logic here is that in cases where both master and bondservant are Christians, the bondservant might choose disrespect because both master and bondservant are equal in Christ. After all, in Galatians 3, Paul writes, “There is neither slave nor free…you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Such is the spiritual equality among all believers. Absolutely. But Paul still recognizes earthly roles and positions, and see his command: “rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.” In Galatians 6, Paul states, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Believing masters are “believers and beloved.” They are fellow members of Christ's own body. What does this mean? Well, instead of using Christian liberty as an excuse to do less for them, our common union in Christ should compel us to do more for them.

And notice that Paul adds, “Teach and urge these things.” God’s people must hear and be persuaded in this. These aren’t easy commands. Much like the command in verse 1, the desire to do this and behave this way from the heart is not something that we can simply accomplish in our own strength.

Yes we make every effort, but Christ must work powerfully within us. And as He does so, like our Master who bought us, we can lower ourselves to serve brothers for the glory of God.

In Philippians 2, Paul writes, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not [consider] equality with God a thing to be [held on to], but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

This means that Christ laid aside His divine glory that he might be “the firstborn among many brothers,” the first among many to overcome the grave and rise to immortality. To serve us He lowered Himself. And in doing so, He took the form of a slave. He appeared as a bondservant. He submitted to sinful authorities and served many siblings.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul wrote, “Though I am free from all, I have made myself a bondservant to all, that I might win more of them.” And in Galatians 5, he says, “You were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Because we are slaves of Christ, we willingly become bondservants to others for Christ’s sake.

God’s people therefore submit to His will by surrendering their own rights and privileges for the sake of relationships within the body of Christ and with those whom they would reach with the gospel.

As we go to His table now, we receive the signs of His humble service and the fulfillment of God’s gracious promises. At the table, our Master who bought us will strengthen our faith, nourish our souls, and assure us that just as He humbled Himself for us, He will also strengthen us to walk in humble obedience to Him.

Be made strong in and by Him! And if you have never trusted in Him, do so today. Believe on Him and be saved. Lay down your burden before Him who laid down His liberty for you. Let’s bow in prayer.