ACC ~ 1 Timothy 6 v1 - 2

OVERVIEW:

It is important that unbelievers see that faith does not lead to insubordination and equally important that slaves appreciate the benefits that masters provide. The fear that a servant should have toward the one to whom he is accountable is analogous to the fear we should all have of God. Since it is to be expected that slaves will exhibit a certain fear toward nonbelieving masters, how much more should they be thankful and devoted in their service to masters who are believers (CHRYSOSTOM)! Let a master who has a believing servant love him as a son (APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTIONS).

6:1-2a | All Who Are Under the Yoke of Slavery

TRUE FREEDOM AND TRUE SLAVERY. CHRYSOSTOM: 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 service are believers and beloved. In the epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians he commands the same. So it is obvious that Paul’s intention is not to abolish slavery as a social institution. Rather, he attacks slavery in its worst form, the slavery to evil, which pays no respect to any external freedom. HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 19.4.

OF SERVANTS AND MASTERS. ANONYMOUS: But as to servants, what can we say more than that the servant should bring a good will to his master, with the fear of God, although his master be impious and wicked, but yet not yield any compliance as to his worship? And let the master love his servant, although he is his supervisor. Let him reflect on the fact that each shares equally in the other’s humanity. And let one who has a believing master love him both as his master, and as of the same faith, and as a father, but still with the preservation of his authority as his master. … In like manner, let a master who has a believing servant love him as a son or as a brother, on account of their communion in the faith, but still preserving the difference of a servant. CONSTITUTIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES 4.12.