1 Timothy 6:2

1 Timothy 6:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Context of 1 Timothy 6:2

1All who are under the yoke as bond-servants (slaves) are to regard their own masters as worthy of honor and respect so that the name of God and the teaching [about Him] will not be spoken against. Those who have believing masters are not to be disrespectful toward them because they are brothers [in Christ], but they should serve them even better, because those who benefit from their kindly service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these [duties and principles]. 3If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine and teaching which is in agreement with godliness (personal integrity, upright behavior), 4he is conceited and woefully ignorant [understanding nothing]. He has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, which produces envy, quarrels, verbal abuse, evil suspicions,

1 Timothy 6:2 word by word

οἱ δὲ πιστοὺς ἔχοντες δεσπότας μὴ καταφρονείτωσαν, ὅτι ἀδελφοί εἰσιν· ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον δουλευέτωσαν, ὅτι πιστοί εἰσιν καὶ ἀγαπητοὶ οἱ τῆς εὐεργεσίας ἀντιλαμβανόμενοι.¶ Ταῦτα δίδασκε καὶ παρακάλει.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andδέde · thenG1161
• they that haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• believingπιστόςpistos · faithfulG4103
• mastersδεσπότηςdespotēs · masterG1203
• let themκαταφρονέωkataphroneō · to despiseG2706
• notμήmē · notG3361
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• they areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• ratherμᾶλλονmallon · moreG3123
• doδουλεύωdouleuō · be a slaveG1398
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• belovedἀγαπητόςagapētos · belovedG27
• partakersἀντιλαμβάνωantilambanomai · to helpG482
• of the benefitεὐεργεσίαeuergesia · good deedG2108
• These thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• teachδιδάσκωdidaskō · to teachG1321
• exhortπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 6:2

• Colossians 4:1Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
• Philemon 1:10I appeal to you for my [own spiritual] child Onesimus, whom I have fathered [in the faith] while a captive in these chains.
• Genesis 16:4He went in to [the bed of] Hagar, and she conceived; and when she realized that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress [regarding Sarai as insignificant because of her infertility].
• Numbers 16:3They assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”
• Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
• 2 Peter 2:10and especially those who indulge in the corrupt passions of the sin nature, and despise authority. Presumptuous and reckless, self-willed and arrogant [creatures, despising the majesty of the Lord], they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,
• Jude 1:8Nevertheless in the same way, these dreamers [who are dreaming that God will not punish them] also defile the body, and reject [legitimate] authority, and revile and mock angelic majesties.
• 1 Timothy 5:1Do not sharply reprimand an older man, but appeal to him as [you would to] a father, to younger men as brothers,
• Matthew 23:8But do not be called Rabbi (Teacher); for One is your Teacher, and you are all [equally] brothers.
• Matthew 25:40The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’
• Romans 8:29For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers.
• Galatians 3:26For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 3:11a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].
• Galatians 5:6For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.
• Ephesians 1:1Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice], To the saints (God’s people) who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus:
• Colossians 1:2To the saints and faithful believers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 6:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2And they that have believing masters - Who have been lately converted as well as themselves. Let them not despise them - Supposing themselves to be their equals, because they are their brethren in Christ; and grounding their opinion on this, that in him there is neither male nor female, bond nor free; for, although all are equal as to their spiritual privileges and state, yet there still continues in the order of God's providence a great disparity of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2And they that have believing masters - Masters who are Christians. It is clear from this, that Paul supposed that, at that time, and under those circumstances, a man might become a Christian who had slaves under him. How long he might continue to hold his fellow-men in bondage, and yet be a Christian, is, however, quite a different question. It is quite clear, from the New Testament, as well as from facts now, that God may convert people when pursuing any…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2Proper behavior in God's spiritual household involves everyone, including: the old and young (5:1–2), widows (5:3–16), old people (5:17–25), and slaves (6:1–2a). Showing respect within the household goes beyond social boundaries.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. And--rather, "But." The opposition is between those Christian slaves under the yoke of heathen, and those that have believing masters (he does not use the phrase "under the yoke" in the latter case, for service under believers is not a yoke). Connect the following words thus, "Let them (the slaves) not, because they (the masters) are brethren (and so equals, masters and slaves alike being Christians), despise them (the masters)." but rather, &c.--"but…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 6:2

• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Servant

In the dictionaries

• Babbling
• Confession
• Consent
• Content
• Contentment
• Covet
• Faithful
• Foolish
• Pierce
• Root

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings