1 Timothy 6:3

Contextual Overview

¹All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. ¹ All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. ¹ All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. ¹All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be slandered. ¹ Anyone who is a slave should give full respect for their master. Not because of who the master is, but because of who they are. That way, God's ways are never questioned in any situation. ¹ Let all who are servants under the yoke give all honour to their masters, so that no evil may be said against the name of God and his teaching. ¹ Let as many bondmen as are under yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed. ¹ All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God's name and His teaching will not be blasphemed. ¹ Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. ¹ Let as many servants as are under the yoke, account their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of God and his doctrine be blasphemed.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

any: 1 Timothy 1:3, 1 Timothy 1:6, Romans 16:17, Galatians 1:6, Galatians 1:7

to wholesome: 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 1:13, 2 Timothy 4:3, Titus 1:9, Titus 2:1, Titus 2:2,*Gr: Proverbs 15:4, Titus 1:9, Titus 3:8

the words: Matthew 22:21, Matthew 28:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:8

the doctrine: 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:8, Titus 1:1, Titus 2:11-14, 2 Peter 1:3-7

Reciprocal: Proverbs 16:28 - froward Proverbs 19:27 - General Matthew 5:19 - shall teach Luke 6:39 - Can Romans 2:8 - contentious 1 Corinthians 3:12 - wood 1 Corinthians 8:2 - if 1 Corinthians 11:16 - seem 1 Corinthians 14:38 - General 2 Corinthians 11:13 - false Philippians 2:14 - disputings 1 Timothy 1:4 - godly 1 Timothy 4:6 - good doctrine 2 Timothy 3:12 - live Titus 1:10 - there Titus 2:8 - Sound Titus 2:10 - the doctrine Hebrews 13:9 - carried 2 Peter 1:6 - godliness 2 Peter 3:11 - godliness

Cross-References

Genesis 6:1
When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them,

Genesis 6:1
When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them,

Genesis 6:1
Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them,

Genesis 6:1
Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them,

Genesis 6:1
And it came to passe, that when men began to be multiplied in the vpper face of the earth, there were daughters borne vnto the:

Genesis 6:1
The number of people on earth continued to increase. When these people had daughters, the sons of God saw how beautiful they were. So they chose the women they wanted. They married them, and the women had their children. Then the Lord said, "People are only human. I will not let my Spirit be troubled by them forever. I will let them live only 120 years." During this time and also later, the Nephilim people lived in the land. They have been famous as powerful soldiers since ancient times.

Genesis 6:1
When men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them,

Genesis 6:1
And whanne men bigunnen to be multiplied on erthe, and hadden gendrid douytris,

Genesis 6:1
And it came to passe, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were borne vnto them:

Genesis 6:1
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see 2 Peter 2:10

or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Christ and his apostles:

and consent not to wholesome words: such as the doctrines of the Gospel; they are food to the saints, milk for babes, and meat for strong men; they are sweet and savoury food to a spiritual taste; they are nourishing, and the means of a spiritual growth; they are salutary and healthful; they have no corruption, taint, or poison in them:

[even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; the doctrines which he preached when on each, who was anointed with the Spirit of God without measure, to preach the Gospel, and by whom all the doctrines of grace and truth came; or the doctrines relating to Christ, to his person, offices, grace, righteousness, sacrifice and satisfaction; to what he is, has done, does, and will do.

And to the doctrine which is according to godliness. The whole Gospel is the mystery of godliness; it is the truth that is after it, and it has a tendency to promote true godliness in heart and life: even such is the nature of the more distinguishing doctrines of it, which are charged with licentiousness; as the doctrine of eternal and personal election; for though it is not of works, but of grace, yet holiness is a means fixed in election, and an end secured by it; it is the source and spring of all real holiness; holiness of heart is an evidence of it to believers themselves; and holiness of life is an evidence of it to the world; nor can anything more powerfully engage men to it than the consideration that they are chosen of God to grace and glory. The covenant of grace, which is absolute and unconditional, provides for both internal and external holiness; and the promises of it, under the influence of grace, powerfully operate in the minds of believers, to the cleansing of them from all impurity of flesh and spirit, and to the perfecting of holiness in the fear of the Lord: and so the doctrines of free justification, by the righteousness of Christ, which does not make void the law, nor discourage good works; and of Christ's bearing the sins of his people, and making satisfaction for them, that they being dead to sin might live unto righteousness; and of redemption of them by the blood of Christ from sin, Satan, and the law, which is done that they might be a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and of the effectual calling of them, which is with an holy calling; and of their final perseverance in grace and holiness, are all of them doctrines according to godliness, and greatly encourage and promote it: now, whoever does not accede to these truths, and acquiesce in them, but differs from them, and teaches the reverse of them, he is a false teacher, and is all that the apostle says in the next words.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If any man teach otherwise - Any otherwise than that respect should be shown to masters; and that a more cheerful and ready service should be rendered because they were Christians. It is evidently implied here that some might be disposed to inculcate such views of religion as would produce discontent and a spirit of insubordination among those who were held to servitude. Who they were is not known, nor is it known what arguments they would employ to do it. It would seem probable that the arguments which would be employed would be such as these: that God made all people equal; that all had been redeemed by the same blood; that all true Christians were fellow-heirs of heaven; and that it was wrong to hold a Christian brother in bondage, etc. From undeniable principles it would seem that they drew the inference that slaves ought at once to assert their freedom; that they should refuse obedience to their masters; and that the tendency of their teaching was, instead of removing the evil by the gradual and silent influence of Christian principles, to produce discontent and insurrection. From some of the expressions here used by the apostle, as characteristic of these teachers, it would seem to be probable that these persons were Jews. They were people given to subtle disputations, and those who doted about questions and verbal disputes, and who were intent on gain, supposing that that which conduced to mere worldly prosperity was of course religion. These characteristics apply well to Jewish teachers.

And consent not to wholesome words - Words conducing to a healthful state of the church; that is, doctrines tending to produce order and a due observance of the proprieties of life; doctrines leading to contentment, and sober industry, and the patient endurance of evils.

Even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ - The doctrines of the Saviour - all of which tended to a quiet life, and to a patient endurance of wrongs.

And to the doctrine which is according to godliness - Which tends to produce piety or religion; that is, the doctrine which would be most favorable to an easy and rapid propagation of the gospel. The idea seems to be, that such a state of insubordination and discontent as they would produce, would be unfavorable to the promotion of religion. Who can doubt it?

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Timothy 6:3. If any man teach otherwise — It appears that there were teachers of a different kind in the Church, a sort of religious levellers, who preached that the converted servant had as much right to the master's service as the master had to his. Teachers of this kind have been in vogue long since the days of Paul and Timothy.

And consent not to wholesome words — υγιαινουσι λογοις Healing doctrines-doctrines which give nourishment and health to the soul, which is the true character of all the doctrines taught by our Lord Jesus Christ; doctrines which are according to godliness-securing as amply the honour and glory of God, as they do the peace, happiness, and final salvation of man.

All this may refer to the general tenor of the Gospel; and not to any thing said, or supposed to have been said, by our Lord, relative to the condition of slaves. With political questions, or questions relative to private rights, our Lord scarcely ever meddled; he taught all men to love one another; to respect each other's rights; to submit to each other; to show all fidelity; to be obedient, humble, and meek; and to know that his kingdom was not of this world.