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.
Slaves hear the gospel and imagine they are freed, but nothing in Christ abolishes the order of this world. They must honor their masters so God's name is not blasphemed by those who watch us. Pride makes all men chafe under authority, but a Christian must bend his neck willingly to even a harsh yoke.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Timothy 6:1-21
I. Here is the duty of servants. The apostle had spoken before of church-relations, here of our family-relations. Servants are here said to be under the yoke, which denotes both subjection and labour; they are yoked to work, not to be idle.
Commenting on 1 Timothy 6:1-5
And they that have believing masters,.... That believe in one God, in opposition to the Gentiles, that held many gods, and in Jesus Christ, in distinction from the Jews; who believed in him with the heart, and professed him with their mouths, and held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.