1 Timothy 6:2
2 And [de] they that have [echo] believing [pistos] masters, [despotes] let them [kataphroneo] not [me] despise [kataphroneo] them, because [hoti] they are [eisi] brethren; [adelphos] but [alla] rather [mallon]
do them service, [douleuo] because [hoti] they are [eisi] faithful [pistos] and [kai] beloved, [agapetos] partakers [antilambanomai] of the benefit. [euergesia]
These things [tauta]
teach [didasko] and [kai] exhort. [parakaleo] KJV-Interlinear
2 And let those who have
believers as their masters not be disrespectful to them because they are
brethren, but let them serve them all the more, because those who partake of
the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles. NASB
Christianity is a
relationship.It is a relationship with
God (the Father), through Christ.It is
the only theology wherein a relationship with God or access to God is mandated
through an intermediary.
All other religions,
all other belief systems, view life as man by mans efforts, as the basis for
acquiring or earning anything better for man.
And the foundation for that belief system is arrogance. For man has no authority or sovereignty or
power to wield his own will in this universe.
Only God has that
capability.
And as such, being a
relationship with God, we (believers in Christ) are all brethren or family, in
one family, which is the family of God.
Being in that family we
lose all distinctions that the world has with regard to male or female, Jew or
gentile, rich or poor, and so forth.But
these distinctions exist only the spiritual realm with respect to each individuals access to God.
We still have to deal with them in this life in this world, for now.
We are all subject to
spiritual growth, and in that regard, some will be more advanced in their
spiritual life than others, but that deals only with your eternal reward, not
your spiritual salvation status.Once saved always saved.
And as far as the world
is concerned, we still have to live and function in this world, despite its
many inequities.
God created the laws of
divine establishment, in order for humanity to have a mechanism for sustaining
itself through history.
We all have to live in
this world and we have to follow the rules that God set up for the function of
the world.To disregard those rules,
leads to trouble in the world and trouble for each one of us.
One of those rules is
the concept of authority and chain of command by which it functions.
This sets up rules for
employers, for employees, for coaches and athletes, for teachers and students,
for rules of the road and traffic control, for parents and children, for
married couples, and for just about everything that you can think of in life
that channels and guides the functions of life from day to day.
One of the more
difficult barriers in life occurs when relations work for each other. Then you have the mental or physiological
barrier which restricts the respect for authority in someone you are related
to.
And that leads us to
our verse.
The work ethic was
emphasized in the prior verse, and now the relationship ethic is emphasized in
this verse.
God is the ultimate
authority, and as such God has placed every person in their place, for a
reason.That reason may not be apparent
to you, but suffice to say, God is smarter than you or I, and His decision
should be enough for us all.
There will be times
when your supervisor or superior is less qualified than you, or when a mature
believer will be working for immature believers. That is not a mistake, and is not to be
questioned by you, no matter what your relative role is in life.
You bite your tongue
and suck it up as they say, and do your work with respect, as unto the Lord.
Your job is to do your job,
and not to question the who s and why s of life. God will deal with all of the difficult
decisions.
Believers are to serve
their employers obediently, Eph 6:5; Col 3:22. They must dutifully, submissively respond to
their employer's lawful instructions.
Believers are to serve
their employers completely, Eph 6:5; Col 3:22. They are to carry out whatever tasks are
assigned them, unless so doing would violate God's law, Acts 5:29.
Believers are to serve
their employers respectfully, Eph 6:5. They must honor those God has placed in
authority over them.
Believers are to serve
their employers eagerly, in "sincerity" of heart, Eph 6:5; Col 3:22. They should serve voluntarily, not grudgingly.
Believers are to serve
their employers exceptionally, "as to Christ", Eph 6:5; cf. Col 3:23.
They must do their jobs to the best of
their ability without subversion or undermining the task.
Believers are to serve
their employers diligently, Eph 6:6; cf. Col 3:22. They must not put on a show for the boss by
working hard only when he is watching.
Believers are to serve
their employers humbly, not "as men-pleasers", Eph 6:6; cf. Col 3:23.
They are not to show off to ingratiate
themselves with others.
Believers are to serve
their employers spiritually, "doing the will of God from the heart", Eph
6:6. All work is sacred and performed
ultimately for the glory of God.
Believers are to serve
their employers eschatologically, "knowing that from the Lord you will
receive the reward of the inheritance. . . . For he who does wrong will receive
the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality,"
Col 3:24-25. Believers' eternal rewards will be affected by
their job performance.
It is not the churches
role to define or undermine the foundations or order of society, but to teach Bible
doctrine such that believers can learn their role and responsibility to society
through doctrine.
Feel Free to make a comment about
this study:Comment Page
If you
are a Facebook member, then please join the Bible Study Group that best suits
you:
Two subscription options to receive these daily studies everyday via e-mail, are available here.
Previous Page
|
Table of Contents
|
Next Page |
