Topical Bible: Contempt: Forbidden Towards: Believing Masters

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the relationship between servants and their masters, particularly emphasizing the attitude that believing servants should have towards their believing masters. The instruction is clear: contempt is forbidden, and respect is mandated, regardless of the social or economic status of the master.

Biblical Context

The primary scriptural reference for this topic is found in 1 Timothy 6:1-2. Paul writes to Timothy, providing guidance for the early Christian community on how to conduct themselves in various relationships. In these verses, Paul specifically addresses the behavior of servants towards their masters:

"All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of respect, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dear to them." (1 Timothy 6:1-2)

Theological Implications

The instruction to avoid contempt and instead show respect to believing masters is rooted in the Christian understanding of equality and brotherhood in Christ. In the early church, social distinctions were transcended by the spiritual unity found in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:28 underscores this principle: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Despite this spiritual equality, Paul acknowledges the existing social structures and provides guidance on how Christians should navigate them. The call to respect believing masters is not merely a social directive but a theological one, aimed at preserving the integrity of the Christian witness. By showing respect, servants uphold the honor of God's name and the teachings of the apostles.

Practical Application

For the early Christian community, this teaching had practical implications. Servants were to perform their duties with sincerity and respect, recognizing that their service was ultimately unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 reinforces this idea: "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

This perspective transforms the servant-master relationship into one of mutual respect and love, reflecting the broader Christian ethic of love for neighbor. Believing masters, in turn, are called to treat their servants with fairness and kindness, as seen in Ephesians 6:9: "And masters, do the same for your servants. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him."

Conclusion

The prohibition of contempt towards believing masters is a reflection of the transformative power of the Gospel, which calls for a radical reorientation of relationships based on love, respect, and mutual service. This teaching serves as a reminder of the Christian duty to honor God in all relationships, ensuring that the faith is lived out authentically and that the name of Christ is glorified.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 6:2
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ...
... and spoke of them in general contempt [5263] as a ... who was rightly suspected of leanings
towards Christinaity (see pp. ... such phila of the world is forbidden (St. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the third day.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... if all manner of oaths had been forbidden by Christ ... cannot lie, and so great reverence
towards the law ... is manifest by what is said, through contempt of Christ's ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Book ii.
... reproach another, to be himself exposed to contempt on account ... reduced them all to
be directed towards sun-rising ... a privilege himself as he is forbidden to make ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... God, [1008]ib.; excuses for not believing, taken away ... the married, [1447]345; all,
forbidden, [1448]ib ... Graciousness, towards those that oppose the truth, must ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

The Fourth Commandment
... us, the fire of our love will burn towards him; and ... It troubles them to see any show
such contempt of God ... We are forbidden on this day to speak our own words ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 4 the fourth commandment.htm

Footnotes
... The heathen poet whose words these are, ("We move towards what is forbidden"),
describes well ... God of hope fill you with all joy in believing.' Hence an ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

The Religious Revolution
... responsible for the whole mischief, and towards whom he ... number of the leading Humanists,
believing that Luther ... Owing to his ill-disguised contempt for all that ...
/.../chapter ii the religious revolution.htm

The Counter-Reformation
... of many, who had nothing but contempt for their ... fault was his excessive partiality
towards his relatives ... the regulations by which they were forbidden to found ...
/.../chapter iv the counter-reformation.htm

Justinian.
... entered Italy, captured Naples, and advanced towards Rome on ... the condemnation of
dead men forbidden, and Theodore of ... of the weak Mennas, and in contempt of the ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iv justinian.htm

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ...
... and had but a yearning heart towards thee, how ... thyself open to all the shame, contempt,
and reproach ... do: Avoid such things which are expressly forbidden in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the heavenly footman or a.htm