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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Ti_6:1-2
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 spoken against. 2Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.
1Ti_6:1 "All who are under the yoke as slaves" Christianity adapted itself to the culture of its day in regards to slavery. Two-thirds of the Roman world were slaves. 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).
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▣ "to regard their own masters as worthy of honor" Apparently 1Ti_6:1 refers to Christian slaves serving non-Christian masters, while 1Ti_6:2 refers to Christian slaves serving Christian masters. A Christian slave is to act toward believers and unbelievers in such a way as to bring honor to God and the gospel of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph_6:6-7). 1Ti_6:1 has the same orientation as 1Ti_3:2; 1Ti_3:7; 1Ti_3:10; 1Ti_5:7-8; 1Ti_5:14; and Tit_2:5, which means "no handle for criticism." Also see 1Ti_6:14 of this same chapter.
1Ti_6:2 "Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them" This is literally "look down,"which is a present active imperative with the negative particle, implying stop an act already in process. This phrase relates to the doctrinal concept that everything we as believers do must be of the highest quality for Christ's sake (cf. 1Co_10:31; Eph_6:6-7; Col_3:17; 1Pe_4:11).
The term "masters" is not the normal term for slave owner, kurios (cf. Eph_6:5; Eph_6:9; Col_3:22; Col_4:1), but despotçs. It is usually used of God the Father and the Son, but in the Pastoral Letters it is used regularly for earthly slave masters (cf. 1Ti_6:1-2; 2Ti_2:21; Tit_2:9). Paul may have used a different scribe.
▣ "Teach and preach these principles" These are two present active imperatives, which implies a continual obligation (cf. 1Ti_4:11). This phrase can conclude the previous admonition (cf. NASB, NKJV) or introduce what follows (cf. NRSV, TEV, NJB).