1 Timothy 6:1

The harness that ties an animal to a cart or plough; and the beam that joins two animals together for any kind of work. It stands as a symbol of servitude and slavery.

Some might praise up other masters; others might dislike or run down their own. Neither attitude comes from faith or suits a Christian. It is no question what their own masters might be: Jew or heathen, vain or proud, immoral or self-righteous, mean, ambitious, or anything else. If God's providence had placed them under a bondman's obligations, they were responsible to Him for counting them worthy of all honour — not because they deserved this or that praise, but simply because these men were their own masters.

Servants are to pay their masters all the respect that fits their position. This has nothing to do with the personal character of the master. God tells us to honour kings, and all in authority, because of the office they hold. In the same way He commands servants to respect their masters because of their position.

Slavery is foreign to Christianity. But putting earthly wrongs right was not the Lord's object in His first coming; that will only happen when He comes again. So the will of God for His people now is to accept the conditions that mark their times, and in them adorn the doctrine and honour His name.

Christianity takes men in the social position in which it finds them, and shows how they may live Christ in that place. It is not busy remodelling society, but teaching the believer to show Christ. He was to be subject to the governing powers; and since these allowed slavery, he was to obey the laws here as in other matters, seeking freedom by lawful means if he could, but if not, being content with his lot.

Notice, it is "God and His doctrine." Why? Because it is a question of power. The name of Christ and His doctrine would put the master and servant on a level, as members of one body. In Christ Jesus there is no distinction. But when I go out into the world, I meet God's moral government, which makes one a master and another a servant. Any breach of that government will meet with certain judgement.

Christian servants are sometimes very lax; and when this is so, the name of God and His teaching is blasphemed on their account. But God is faithful. Whatever the difficulties of their position, if there is only dependence on Himself, He will sustain them. And if by their behaviour they adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour, He will cause the fragrance of the name of Christ to spread through them, all through the household in which they live.

He "took the form of a servant." Though He had every right to be free, He paid the tax rather than give offence. So the believing servant, under the cruellest and most tyrannical treatment, was to show out the life of Christ in him.

The apostle condemns without reserve any man who taught a different teaching. To undermine the relation of a servant to a master was serious in his eyes, and no less so when people put forward fine excuses and grand-sounding claims. For the duty of subjection flows from the relation; and the faith of those involved strengthens it rather than relaxing it.