1 Timothy 6:1-2

V1-2 – 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. ²Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.

Paul concludes his teaching from chapter five with a quick lesson for slaves on honoring their masters, whether believers or not (v1), and rebuke and correction for those slaves who think they can show less respect (literally “look down on”) since their masters are believers (v2). Unbelievers often accuse the Biblical authors, and Paul especially, of being misogynists and condoning slavery. On the contrary, as one commentator noted, “It was the truth, justice, and love of God in the gospel that eventually brought slavery to an end. Paul chose to deal with human attitudes in their cultural situation instead of a violent overthrow of that cultural situation (much like he did the societal role of women).” Paul concludes this section with a sentence that can reflect on what has been said or introduce what’s next.