God’s Word Translation
1 Timothy 6:1
1All slaves who believe must give complete respect to their own masters. In this way no one will speak evil of God’s name and what we teach.
1 Timothy 6:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
- New International Version (NIV)All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
Context of 1 Timothy 6:1
All slaves who believe must give complete respect to their own masters. In this way no one will speak evil of God’s name and what we teach. 2Slaves whose masters also believe should respect their masters even though their masters are also believers. As a result, believers who are slaves should serve their masters even better because those who receive the benefit of their work are believers whom they love. Teach and encourage people to do these things. 3Whoever teaches false doctrine and doesn’t agree with the accurate words of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teachings
Read all of 1 Timothy 61 Timothy 6:1 word by word
Ὅσοι εἰσὶν ὑπὸ ζυγὸν δοῦλοι, τοὺς ἰδίους δεσπότας πάσης τιμῆς ἀξίους ἡγείσθωσαν, ἵνα μὴ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ διδασκαλία βλασφημῆται.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Letἡγέομαιhēgeomai · to governG2233
- as manyὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
- servantsδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
- areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- underὑπόhupo · by/under: underG5259
- the yokeζυγόςzugos · yoke/scalesG2218
- their ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
- mastersδεσπότηςdespotēs · masterG1203
- worthyἄξιοςaxios · worthyG514
- of allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- honourτιμήtimē · honorG5092
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- the nameὄνομαonoma · nameG3686
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- doctrineδιδασκαλίαdidaskalia · teachingG1319
- beβλασφημέωblasphēmeō · to blasphemeG987
- notμήmē · notG3361
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 6:1
- Deuteronomy 28:48So you will serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you. You will serve them even though you are already hungry, thirsty, naked, and in need of everything. The Lord will put a heavy burden of hard work on you until he destroys you.
- Isaiah 47:6I was angry with my people. I dishonored those who belong to me. I put them under your control. You showed them no mercy. You placed a heavy burden on old people.
- Isaiah 58:6This is the kind of fasting I have chosen: Loosen the chains of wickedness, untie the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke.
- Matthew 11:9“Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet.
- Acts 15:10So why are you testing God? You’re putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry.
- 1 Corinthians 7:21Were you a slave when you were called? That shouldn’t bother you. However, if you have a chance to become free, take it.
- Galatians 5:1Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm ⌞in this freedom⌟, and don’t become slaves again.
- Genesis 16:9The Messenger of the Lord said to her, “Go back to your owner, and place yourself under her authority.”
- Genesis 24:2So Abraham said to the senior servant of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, “Take a solemn oath.
- 2 Kings 5:2Once, when the Arameans went on raids, they had brought back a little girl from Israel. She became the servant of Naaman’s wife.
- Malachi 1:6“This is what the Lord of Armies says: A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. So if I am a father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is my respect? You priests despise my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised your name?’
- Acts 10:7After saying this, the angel left. Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of those who served him regularly.
- Ephesians 6:5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with proper respect. Be as sincere as you are when you obey Christ.
- Colossians 3:22Slaves, always obey your earthly masters. Don’t obey them only while you’re being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. Be sincere in your motives out of respect for your real master.
- 1 Peter 2:17Honor everyone. Love your brothers and sisters in the faith. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
- 1 Timothy 5:14So I want younger widows to marry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them.
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 6:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Let as many servants as are under the yoke - The word here means slaves converted to the Christian faith; and the , or yoke, is the state of slavery; and by , masters, despots, we are to understand the heathen masters of those Christianized slaves. Even these, in such circumstances, and under such domination, are commanded to treat their masters with all honor and respect, that the name of God, by which they were called, and the doctrine of God…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Let as many servants - On the word here rendered “servants” - ͂ douloi- see the notes on Ephesians 6:5. The word is that which was commonly applied to a slave, but it is so extensive in its signification as to be applicable to any species of servitude, whether voluntary or involuntary. If slavery existed in Ephesus at the time when this Epistle was written, it would be applicable to slaves; if any other kind of servitude existed, the word would be equally…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The duty of Christians towards believing, as well as other masters. (1-5) The advantage of godliness with contentment. (6-10) A solemn charge to Timothy to be faithful. (11-16) The apostle repeats his warning to the rich, and closes with a blessing. (17-21) Verses 1-5 Christians were not to suppose that religious knowledge, or Christian privileges, gave them any right to despise heathen masters, or to disobey lawful commands, or to expose their faults to…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Paul recommends that those who are slaves should treat both non-Christian and Christian masters with respect. This practice will honor God's name and give a good reputation to Christian teaching (see study note on 5:1–6:2).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-211Ti 6:1-21. Exhortations as to Distinctions of Civil Rank; the Duty of Slaves, in Opposition to the False Teachings of Gain-seekers; Timothy's Pursuit Is to Be Godliness, Which Is an Everlasting Possession: Solemn Adjuration to Do So against Christ's Coming; Charge to Be Given to the Rich. Concluding Exhortation. 1. servants--to be taken as predicated thus, "Let as many as are under the yoke (as) slaves" (Tit 2:9). The exhortation is natural as there was…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Timothy 6:1
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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