1 Timothy 6:2
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
1 Timothy 6:2
**Meaning & Context** (200 words)
This verse extends the principle to slaves with believing masters, urging not to despise them due to shared faith but to serve them with fidelity, because they are faithful and beloved. The concern is both practical and moral: maintaining harmonious Christian households and churches where relationships reflect gospel values. It also emphasizes that Christians can demonstrate love and respect even within social hierarchies that are unjust by our modern standards. The instruction asks believers to recognize the spiritual kinship within the body of Christ and to honor those who are fellow believers, while continuing to fulfill their duties loyally.
**Theological Significance** (150 words)
Theologically, this passage highlights unity in Christ transcending social divisions. It affirms the dignity of every believer and the call to love and serve one another. It shows the church as a family where trust and mutual respect should govern relationships, especially in subordinate roles revealed in the social fabric of the time.
**Modern Application** (150 words)
In contemporary workplaces and volunteer settings, it translates to treating colleagues who share faith with respect and service, avoiding contempt or favoritism. It also encourages those with positions of influence to recognize the contributions of those who work under them, and to honor and support their growth and well-being. It invites a culture of shared responsibility and mutual encouragement in the body of Christ.
**Cross-References**: Galatians 3:28; Philemon 1:15-16; Romans 12:10