“Those who are under the bondage of slavery should consider their own masters as worthy of full respect so that God’s name and our teaching won’t get a bad reputation. And those who have masters who are believers shouldn’t look down on them because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them more faithfully, because the people who benefit from your good service are believers who are loved. Teach and encourage these things” (1 Timothy 6:1-2 CEB).
Before we approach the issue of slavery and its relationship to Christian life and practice, we should first consider the following question: how should we apply these verses in a modern-day culture where slavery does not exist?
For instance, a passage such as 1 Timothy 6:1-2 is often validated by modern-day teachers in the following manner: “The master/slave relationship model that once existed in the days of the first century is no longer in place today. Since this relationship model no longer exists, we are now responsible to adapt the Biblical teaching on this subject and apply to the next closest relationship model in place today: the employer/employee relationship.”
In other words, we should approach these verses with the understanding that a Biblical principle exists behind these Scriptures. That principle is one that extends beyond the specific type of relationship mentioned here. For example, the principle behind 1 Timothy 6:1-2 tells us that Christians must honor God and respect those who serve as their employers. This principle is something that remains consistent and applies to all societies, both ancient and modern.
However, this Biblical principle may be adapted to meet the needs of different populations and cultures. In this instance, we can adapt the Biblical teaching on slaves and masters for use in any working relationship. In taking this approach, we should note that “adapted” does not mean “changed” or “altered.” In this context, “adaptation” involves conforming one’s behavior to a Biblical principle instead of modifying the principle to suit our preferences. This approach often represents a good way to interpret and apply Scriptures like the ones found here in 1 Timothy 6:1-2.
Nevertheless, it’s important to recognize that these verses present some difficult and formidable questions. For example, how could the Scriptures advise slaves to “…consider their own masters as worthy of full respect” as they served in relationships that were clearly immoral and wrong? This can be a challenging question for anyone who desires to be a thinking person of God and represent Christ well in the arena of ideas at school or work.
We’ll address this question with a look at some important historical context next.
This study and the following messages related to this topic were revised and adapted from the studies that originally appeared here