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 slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and 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, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
• Philemon 1:10I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
• Genesis 16:4So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.
• Numbers 16:3They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?”
• Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
• 2 Peter 2:10He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.
• Jude 1:8In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.
• 1 Timothy 5:1Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers.
• Matthew 23:8“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.
• Matthew 25:40“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
• Romans 8:29For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
• Galatians 3:26For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 3:11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
• Galatians 5:6For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
• Ephesians 1:1This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 1:2We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.

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