19 I Timothy 6:1-2 - Honoring Earthly Masters

December 13, 2020

Christopher C. Freeman

Title: Honoring Earthly Masters Text: I Timothy 6:1-2 FCF: We often struggle working with enthusiasm because we know the world is not our home. Prop: Because the gospel transforms how we live, we ought to give honor to our authorities. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to I Timothy chapter 6. For the past several weeks Paul has been expressing to Timothy how the gospel changes the church to treat one another differently than the world treats one another. In correction, the elderly ought to be given respect as a parent, and those who are younger ought to be treated like a sibling. Widows ought to be cared for, and should also serve the church. Elders ought to be respected, but not above the scriptures, and they should be given enough time to express their true heart before becoming Elders. Now Paul will finish up his discussion of honor by speaking to a relationship that has surprising applications to our current culture and even the church itself. Paul addresses the relationship of a slave to his master. I am in I Timothy chapter 6 starting in verse 1. I’ll be reading from the NET which you can follow in the pew bible on page 1340, or in whatever version you have. Transition: I don’t want to cause undo stress or anxiety to you, but I do want to prepare you for this message. It promises to alienate much of the church. And when I say that, I don’t mean the broad church with every denomination factored in. This message today, surprising to me perhaps, will set at odds many people who are in conservative, evangelical, churches in this land. Churches that 10 years ago, we would have been very close with. I believe this passage speaks to two huge problems the church faces today. And I don’t know if it can be mended. But what is clear to me from this text is that we must make sure we do not stray to the right or left. May we walk the narrow path, together. I.) The gospel transforms how we live, so we must honor our unbelieving authorities. (1) a. [Slide 2] 1 – Those who are under the yoke as slaves i. American history has forever twisted the topic of slavery and servanthood in scripture. ii. Some outright reject the concept, others move quickly through it to speak of an employer employee relationship. iii. Some have denied the faith because this book does not reject or aggressively condemn the intuition of slavery. iv. Let me attempt to briefly explain what slavery was and wasn’t in the 1st Century Roman world, and how that forms our understanding of the institution. 1. The first thing we need to understand about slavery in the 1st century, is that it is fairly impossible to paint it with a broad brush, especially when compared to Slavery and the slave trade in America. 2. Becoming a slave could be by birth, by being an unwanted infant child, by being sold by your parents into slavery, as a way to pay off a debt, as a punishment, by choice, or as a prisoner of war. 3. The experience of a slave was equally as diverse. Certainly, some masters abused their slaves physically, sexually, emotionally. But some slaves were slaves of wealthy aristocrats and their presence was more a trophy to their master’s wealth than hard labor. In fact, many in such situations did very little work and simply existed to attend to whatever the master wished. Others to the less wealthy worked alongside their master in the field, learning a trade, and becoming quite close to their masters. Even trusted friends. 4. By the time of Christ the slave trade had become so bloated that more than 1/3 of the population of Rome were slaves. What does that mean? 5. It means that if a rebellion could be organized – Rome would be in danger. 6. Because of this Rome made many laws regarding slave trade. Most of them were designed to curb the freeing of slaves, the selling of slaves, and even the treatment of slaves. 7. By the time of Christ, most slave masters had come to the realization that when a slave lives a life as close to freedom as he can, he works better than if he is treated harshly. 8. Some slaves lived so well, that it made more sense to be a slave then it did to enter the workforce as a laborer. 9. Because of all this the abolition of slavery was simply never a consideration, but reform and refinement of the institution was in Rome’s best interest. v. Having learned some of the history of slavery at that time, it is also good for us to understand what the scriptures say about slavery. 1. Faussett = “Christianity does not begin by opposing the external system prevailing, but plants the seeds of love, universal brotherhood in Christ, communion of all-in-one redemption from God our common Father, which silently and surely undermines slavery.” 2. Paul in Philemon, only hints at Onesimus’ freedom being granted – and he certainly could have commanded it of Philemon. But he never goes that far. In fact, he is actually sending Onesimus back to Philemon, hoping that Philemon will send him back to Paul to serve him. 3. The scriptures also talk about how, in Christ, there is no longer slave and free. 4. But spiritually it seems as though we are all slaves – not actually all free. We are all in bondage of some sort. Either slaves to sin or slaves to Christ. And if we are in Christ together, then we are all slaves to Christ together. The superficial slavery of this earth is no longer a concept that should divide. 5. And so as close as the scriptures come to abolition of the institution, it never goes that far. Why? 6. Because the institution itself is not the problem. Rather, sin is the issue. And the great solution is Christ. 7. The primary slavery that the scripture deals with is humanities slavery to sin and death. And Christ frees us to be slaves of Righteousness and inherit life. vi. So as we look at slavery in the scriptures we must not import our understanding from slavery in America. Quite simply, slavery in the scripture was a far more nuanced institution that we saw in our nation’s early history. And I dare say, that some of these concepts of slavery would be preferable to bankruptcy, credit scores, and, at times, even the traditional job market search. But I digress. vii. All that being said – since we do not have slavery in our culture, an appropriate application here would be to those who work at a job and the master being your boss. But we must not insert that into text, but rather allow application to flow to that relationship. viii. That will be my goal moving forward. b. [Slide 3] Must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. i. Based on the context, this is clearly talking about unbelieving masters. ii. Paul will address believing masters in a moment, so this must either be talking about all masters which would include unbelieving masters, or more likely, he is talking exclusively about unbelieving masters here and believing masters later. iii. Paul calls on slaves to not import their spiritual freedom into their earthly slavery. Yes, they are free in Christ, but that does not make them free from earthly slavery or human authority. They cannot simply walk away. Certainly, if they would be released, then they should accept with gladness, but they ought not automatically consider themselves free. Even if they are in bondage to an ungodly person. iv. Instead, they ought to regard or to esteem. This means to count or consider in a positive way. To esteem or count their masters worthy of all, full, or complete honor. Complete respect. v. That is huge! Why? vi. Paul has been talking about honor this entire time. Honoring widows, meaning respect and financial support. Double honoring of godly Elders who labor in teaching meaning respect and financial support. vii. So, what could Paul mean by saying complete honor here? viii. Certainly, it means respect. Obedience. Submission. ix. But what does a slave have to financially support their masters? Themselves! They have been purchased. They are the property of their master. Like it or not, there is significant financial investment tied up in a slave being a slave to a master. x. Paul says that masters deserve, or are worthy, of complete honor. xi. I contend that Paul is telling Christian slaves to earn what they are worth to their master. Respect them and earn what their master paid for them. xii. Why would Paul say such a thing? Why wouldn’t Paul say – these masters are unjust and they must be brought low! Rebel! Gain your freedom! You are ruled by Christ alone! xiii. Why doesn’t Paul say that? c. [Slide 4] This will prevent the name of God and Christian Teaching from being discredited. i. God’s name and our doctrine is at stake. ii. The world always fights for freedom. The world always defends itself. The world, the flesh, godless, gospeless people – ALWAYS push back against authority. Just or unjust, tyrannical or benevolent. The world always bucks authority. iii. Paul says, do what you were purchased to do. Submit to your master’s authority. Live out your days as a slave, making every cent they spent on you… worth it. iv. Because if you don’t and you claim to be of Christ – you have invalidated all you have claimed. v. How so? vi. In Christ, we believe that to live is for Christ and to die is gain. But bucking ungodly authority says, to live is to live with a certain set of earthly freedoms. To die is a worthy end to earn those freedoms. vii. In Christ, we believe that all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. But to buck against ungodly authority says that slavery is not for my good, nor could God have providentially put me in this situation where I would be ruled by an unbeliever, so I must rebel. viii. In Christ we love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us. But bucking ungodly authority says, no ungodly man deserves my respect, no sinner deserves my prayer. ix. The obvious caveat, is that God is the final authority to us. If a master tells his slave to kill another slave, surely Paul would not say to obey the master. In matters where we MUST choose to obey God or man, meaning they have pushed us into a corner and there is no creative way to obey both – then we must obey God. x. But Paul, interestingly, does not bring up that caveat. Perhaps because moving to that truth is not what needs to be emphasized. Rather, humble submission and love. d. [Slide 5] Passage Truth: Paul makes it absolutely and abundantly clear. The gospel changes how we live. What we believe transcends how we live. And that even applies to situations where we labor. People who wear the name of God and preach the gospel ought to labor differently because of the grace they have been given. e. Passage Application: So Timothy is to instruct slaves that their ungodly masters are worthy of complete honor. That they ought to work hard and fulfill the expense their master paid for them. They ought to respect and submit, yes even to ungodly masters. Why? Because they are gospel changed people. f. [Slide 6] Broader Biblical Truth: Zooming out we see principles all throughout scripture related to authority and work. Even within this very book Paul does not give any financial support for nothing. People must work hard to be deserving of financial support. The gospel breathes life into a person in the workforce. They go and do their job as an evangelistic expression of the gospel working out of them. g. Broader Biblical Application: And so, as we apply this text to us it has far reaching implications not just for our jobs but even for our society. I’ll save the latter for the end, but for now, as a believer, particularly one employed by someone who worships false gods, is an unbeliever, or ungodly… we ought to see that they are deserving of our full respect. Not only service and submission, but even making sure that whatever they are paying us for, we are earning all of it. This is not only reflected in the quality of our work but even in the time of our work. Many of you are no doubt employed by an unbeliever. And with the promises in scripture given to God’s children, you may assume that either you owe your boss nothing, or that he ought not actually rule over you. To assume this, would be exactly opposite of what Paul teaches Timothy. Instead, for the sake of the gospel, as you wear the name of Christ, and as you preach the living truth, you ought to fully respect and work hard for your boss – so that he will be unable to slander your God. He will have to admit – well that guy or gal, she is a crazy Christian, but doggonit they are hard workers. May that be your boss’s testimony. Transition: [Slide 7(blank)] But what of bosses that are Christians? Surely, being in the family of God affords us some slack, some mercy, and some special treatment. Our Christian bosses should certainly expect less from us. II.) The gospel transforms how we live, so we must lovingly serve our believing authorities. (2) a. [Slide 8] 2 – But those who have believing masters i. I’d imagine that Christianity threw quite the monkey wrench into believing households. ii. Not simply children and parents, and spouse to spouse, but even master to slave. iii. In fact, we already discussed this as probably one reason the early church had to be reminded of the headship of the husband and the submission of the wife to him. They assumed a new status in Christ that is really not given until the New Kingdom. iv. Paul has dealt with the response of a Christian slave to an unbelieving master. v. But we know that in Christ there is no slave or free. There is love for the brotherhood. There is unity in Christ. vi. So, how does that work in a master slave relationship where both the master and the slave are believers? vii. You would think that Paul would push for masters to free their slaves. Or at least for slaves to be treated with more freedoms. viii. However, Paul is not talking to masters, but to slaves. ix. So how must slaves conduct themselves when they have believing masters? b. [Slide 9] Must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve all the more, i. There is a repeated pattern in scripture here. ii. We ought to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. This is true. And any we come into contact with in this life, are our neighbors. Including our ungodly authorities and enemies. iii. But Christians love one another just as Christ loved them. In this way it truly was a new commandment. iv. So, believing slaves don’t do less for their Christian masters or respect them less. Instead, they respect and do more. Perhaps even suggesting that they work harder than they are worth. Or, if they were paid, earning more than their wage. v. Why? c. [Slide 11] Those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. i. If we are not careful, we’ll miss a veiled lesson for the believing masters here. ii. Although Paul is certainly still focused on believing slaves’ service to their Christian masters, here Paul uses some interesting language. iii. He speaks of the service of a believing slave to his Christian master as a “benefit”. iv. Benefit here is a word used of good deed or a person who gives money or service to help another person. v. So, if I can paraphrase what Paul is saying vi. “Those who receive a good gift from a believing slave’s diligent work, are also believers and dearly loved” vii. So, this deceptively simply little phrase is both a reminder to masters that believing slaves do this for a higher purpose, which is in service and love to God. And to the slaves, it is a reminder that their loving service is to a brother in Christ. viii. Whatever you’ve done to the least of these, you’ve done it unto me. d. [Slide 12] Teach them and exhort them about these things. i. This is an all-encompassing command to Timothy. ii. It serves as a transition for Paul to get back to teaching Timothy directly – but it serves as an opportunity for us to remind ourselves of the general principles being established. iii. The family of God operates differently. Why? Because of the gospel. iv. Slaves rebel – but not those who have Christ. Slaves work for less than their worth – but not those who have Christ. Slaves fight for their earthly freedoms – but not those who have Christ. v. Leaders are often untouchable or heavily targeted, but not for the body of Christ. vi. Widows are often neglected or cheat the system, but not for those in the body of Christ. vii. Older men and women are often dismissed, younger men and women are often spoken down to, but not in the body of Christ! viii. The gospel reorients every relationship! e. [Slide 13] Passage Truth: Paul again is driving home the point from chapter 3– this is how the family of God ought to live. The gospel reorients our lifestyle. And that even effects how we work and how we treat our employers and authorities. f. Passage Application: Timothy must instruct believing slaves to work all the more for their believing masters, because they are serving Christ in this. They are showing love for God in this. g. [Slide 14] Broader Biblical Truth: Zooming out, we have well-established that the gospel changes our lives. Every facet of our lives is renewed. Even our work ethic. Especially toward those who are also slaves of Christ. h. Broader Biblical Application: And so for some of us, there is no evangelistic purpose to our work – because we have been blessed by God to work for believers. We are under the authority and direction of those who share our worldview. But this does not mean that we can slack off, or treat the relationship more casually. Instead, it only heightens our resolve to work, even beyond what we are worth. Why? Because we do it to one who possesses the Spirit of God. A brother. A co-heir. A fellow member of the body of Christ. Therefore, we serve Christ by serving them. And for His glory, we can work all the more diligently, even for those who are also of the household of faith. And as a veiled side-note. If you happen to be the employer of another believer, you ought not see your working believers as doing their duty or even doing what you’ve paid them to do. Rather, you ought to see their work for you as a service to your King. If you do – it will probably reorient everything about how you treat them, and how they treat you. Conclusion: [Slide 15(end)] I think in applying this text most Pastors would rightly choose to look at relations between employers and employees as the focus. I think we’ve done that throughout the course of the message this morning so far. But I cannot help but see a bigger topic addressed here that we should also make mention of. How should believing people respond to those who are ungodly ruling over them? Abusing them? Harming them? Exploiting them? It is true that not all slavery was this way – but Paul puts no caveat that when your unbelieving slave masters treat you well, then they deserve complete honor. No. Paul does not say that. Paul simply says that ungodly slave masters deserve full and complete honor. Why? From here Paul could contend that God has providentially placed them in the situation they are in. He could contend that they are authorities that God has placed over them. He could contend that it is the master’s job to deal justly with his slaves. But no. Paul says they are worthy of complete honor because the gospel is at stake. As people who are under human authorities and powers, we must realize that the world is watching. We wear the name of God and we preach the message of Christ. That means we live differently. Now that does mean that occasionally we will have to peacefully refuse to obey. We don’t blindly follow what we are commanded to do when we are commanded to do something that God has forbidden. God is our final authority. But we also do not bend and twist the text of scripture to make it that every command given by ungodly people is inherently evil and must be refused. Certainly, slaves could have made the case that their very situation was an affront to God. That them being owned by another person is wicked at its core. Certainly, slaves could have claimed – Christ alone is my King – and fled their master or worse. But Paul sees the greater issue. Your personal freedoms are inconsequential when compared to the gospel of Christ. Your oppression, your disenfranchisement, your feelings, your liberties, your rights, are absolutely irrelevant when it comes to wearing the name of God and preaching the message of Christ. Unfortunately, the church in America is being torn apart by two kinds of wokeism. Either you must be awoken to realize the oppression of a system dominated by white, male, heterosexual, Christians. And in that wokeness you must repent of a sin not covered by the blood of Christ. You must work every day of your life to reject this sin. The sin here is your own privilege. You must devote everything you are to the eradication of your own privilege by recognizing that you will never rid yourself of it fully. Do you see how Paul’s thoughts on submission to ungodly masters applies? Even if such a system existed - ought we as believers to be focusing on who is the oppressor and who is the oppressed? If that were the call of God’s people – don’t you think Paul’s words to believing slaves would have been different? Wouldn’t Paul have told them to rise up against their oppressor? Godly or otherwise? Paul tells believing slaves to give complete honor to their ungodly masters, for the sake of the name of God and the teaching of Christ. The other kind of wokeism prevalent in the church is a wokeness to see an overwhelming conspiracy to dismantle and destroy Christianity. And in that wokeness you must resist, you must fight, you must repent of passivity and work every day of your life to reject the ungodly system and even take up arms if necessary, to right its wrongs. You must devote everything you are to undo the ungodly and demonic scheme to eradicate Christ’s church in this nation. Indeed, it is your duty as a Christian to resist ungodly leaders. If you don’t, you are still a sleeping Christian who hasn’t quite gotten serious about the gospel. Do you see how Paul’s thoughts on submission to ungodly masters applies? Ought we as believers to fight our oppressors with weapons and warfare? Ought we as believers to rise up and disobey every wicked person who is in authority over us? Ought we to mount a coup and take back our land from those who are trying to destroy Christianity? Paul tells believing slaves to give complete honor to their ungodly masters, for the sake of the name of God and the teaching of Christ. My friends – now more than ever – we must focus on what our King has tasked us to be and to do on this earth. Now more than ever we must be ambassadors for His kingdom. I’m not saying we do whatever the wicked tell us to, and I’m not saying that there isn’t a demonic scheme to overthrow the church. But… We know that the gates of hell will NOT prevail against Christ’s Church. And that is not because WE resisted - because if this scheme is demonic - we don’t stand a chance at winning as only humans with earthly weapons and earthly warfare against earthly enemies. But with the gospel of Jesus Christ, one soul at a time, we will endure and it will not prevail, and Christ will return and bring His Kingdom. My friends, we must not be distracted by petty causes. And as important as Justice and Freedom are – they are nothing compared to the gospel. They are only distractions. How do I know? Because they were both things happening in the 1st Century. Racism and prejudice and destruction of religious liberty were all there. And Paul says – obey your ungodly masters and pray for your ungodly kings! So do not devote yourselves to less than the gospel. And do not add these causes to the gospel and say they are linked. They are not. The gospel of Christ stands alone. We preach it and live it and suffer for it. Paul ignored the institution of slavery completely, so that believing slaves would focus on obeying their masters for the sake of the gospel. We ought to focus on the gospel and not clamor for our rights or even devote ourselves to battle a system of oppression if such a system exists. The phrase for Christ and Country, For Christ and Justice – these are less than simply saying – For Christ! This world is crumbling. It isn’t getting better – it is getting worse. And the more time we spend on trying to preserve things we have on earth – the less time we have for laying up treasures in heaven. This world will pass away and its lusts. But whoever does the will of God will live forever. What is the will of God? Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.– I Thessalonians 5:18. Can you really give thanks for ungodly leaders while rebelling against them? 13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,[b] whether it be to the emperor[c] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[d] of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. – I Peter 2:13-17 Live as you are free – but do not use that freedom to cover up the disobedience of other commands. One of which is Honor the emperor. Afterall, earthly freedom is not what we have truly been granted or promised. Instead, we have been granted spiritual freedom in Christ. May we not live like the 1st Century Jews and look to Christ to free us from our earthly oppressors. Instead, may we look to Christ to free us from our sin and to righteousness – no matter what our earthly state or condition is. In doing this, we wear the name of God well – and do proclaim His gospel until He comes.