The Household of God: So That The Name of God and The Teaching May Not Be Reviled
I Timothy 6:1-2 (I Cor. 7:20-24; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:22-25; Philemon; I Pet. 2:13-25)
The Bible doesn’t endorse slavery but did give advice to believers who found themselves enveloped in it.
The Master/Bondservant relationship does not equate to the chattel slavery of America’s history.
Christianity alone is capable of lifting the attitudes and actions of both master and slave (employer and employee).
All forms of authority must recognize that there is one Absolute authority in Christ to which we will give an account.
Authentic Christianity elevates the dignity of every person.
Disregard and disrespect of one person over another who is a fellow believer is sinful.
How we treat one another tells the story of what we truly believe.
Imposing a relationship of servitude is both sinful and oppressive.
Christianity alone recognizes the inherent value of every individual regardless of what position the world puts them in.
The Gospel power has the ability to change souls and thus effect societal and structural change.
What Paul writes to Timothy is designed to give relational principles to a newly realized brotherhood in the church at Ephesus.
A slaveless society was not the goal of Christianity rather a saved community.
Self-righteous attitudes which presume the superiority of their social view, fail to consider the historical and even current worldwide systematic problem of slavery. (Known social structures free of slavery in the Graeco-Roman society did not exist. Robert Yarbrough, Pillar New Testament Commentary, pg. 302.)
Christians should see the darkness of our social structures which give men cover for the devaluation of other people.
Scripture at various places calls for a greater respect between persons during times when slavery was universally practiced.
Christians must also see that we are called to honor God in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.
***Scripture isn’t trying to reinforce nor excuse societal norms. Christianity can effect societal change even before it reaches critical mass (majority population).
Dr. Worley’s Disclaimer: These notes are insufficient on this subject.