1 Timothy 6:2 Meaning: Serving Believing Masters as Brothers
Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.
and those having believing masters, let them not slight them , because they are brethren, but rather let them serve, because they are stedfast and beloved, who of the benefit are partaking. These things be teaching and exhorting;
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them] because they are brethren; but let them the rather serve them with subjection, because they are faithful and beloved, who profit by the good and ready service [rendered]. These things teach and exhort.
Meaning in one sentence
Paul tells Christian slaves not to despise believing masters but serve them all the more, because they share Christ's benefit. What this means for us today.
Context
Paul is writing to Timothy, his young coworker pastoring the church in Ephesus. The letter has been tackling practical problems in the congregation, including how different groups should live out their faith. At the start of chapter 6, Paul addresses slaves, people bound in a hard social reality. First he speaks to those with unbelieving masters, urging them to give honor so that the gospel is not blamed. Then he turns to a more delicate case: slaves whose masters have also become Christians. The temptation was natural: We are equals in Christ, so why should I still serve him? Paul steps into that tension with a single word: rather.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the weight of this verse. The first is καταφρονέω (kataphroneō), translated despise. It means to think down on someone, to count them as small. The temptation for a Christian slave with a believing master was to mentally downgrade the master because they were brothers. Paul says: do not let your shared faith shrink your respect.
The second verb is δουλεύω (douleuō), serve. It is the same word used elsewhere for serving God. Paul does not soften it. He tells them to serve all the more, not less. Brotherhood does not cancel service; it raises it to a new level.
The most debated phrase is τῆς εὐεργεσίας ἀντιλαμβανόμενοι (partakers of the benefit). The noun euergesia means a good deed or kindly service. The verb antilambanomai means to take hold of something in order to help, to embrace a task or even to participate in a shared gift. Many early commentators, including Chrysostom, read it as describing masters who devote themselves to the care of their slaves. Others see it as the mutual benefit that flows when both sides are faithful and beloved. Either way, the point is clear: something good is happening between them, not just one way.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across traditions, readers notice Paul does not attack slavery directly, yet he quietly transforms the relationship. Calvin observed that the early church's message of spiritual equality made slaves hope for freedom, and Paul had to teach them that brotherhood does not erase earthly roles. Wesley saw the danger: “greater grace is requisite to bear with the faults of a brother, than of an infidel.”
Catholic and Orthodox interpreters have often focused on the mutual benefit: the master shares in the slave’s service, and the slave shares in the master’s care. Protestant commentators like Barnes note that Paul never says it is right to buy or hold slaves after conversion, he simply addresses the situation as it was. The main interpretive disagreement about “partakers of the benefit” is whether the benefit is the master’s kind care or the slave’s faithful labor or the shared grace of the gospel. All agree that Paul wants Christian slaves to serve even more willingly because their masters are family in Christ.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading goes like this: “Since we are all equals in Christ, I don’t need to show special respect to a Christian boss or leader, we’re the same.” In fact, Paul says the opposite: because they are brothers, do not despise them, but serve them all the more. Spiritual equality is not a reason to slack off; it is a reason to serve with renewed gladness. The bond in Christ deepens the call to serve, rather than canceling it.
Living This Out
You might not be a slave, but you do have people over you at work, in church, or at home. And some of them are fellow believers. Maybe you have a supervisor who is a Christian, and you find yourself thinking, We’re both saved; why should I go out of my way for him? That small thought is the seed of kataphroneō, counting someone small because you share a pew. This week, pick one person you tend to take for granted because they are a brother or sister in Christ. Find one concrete way to serve them more, not less. Let your shared faith fuel your effort, not drain it. It might be finishing a task without being asked, speaking well of them to others, or simply thanking them for what they do. Paul says these things are worth teaching and exhorting, so let one of them stick with you today.
Main takeaway: Christian equality in Christ does not cancel the call to serve; it raises it to a higher, gladder level.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God wants us to be kind to everyone, even people who are in charge of us. If the person in charge is also a Christian, we should be extra nice and helpful because we are family in God.
For ages 9, 12
Have you ever thought, “I don’t have to try so hard for that person because we’re both Christians”? Paul says that is the wrong way to think. Being brothers and sisters in Christ should make us want to help each other even more, not less. If your parent, coach, or teacher is also a believer, see it as a chance to serve Jesus by serving them gladly.
Questions People Ask
What does 'partakers of the benefit' mean in 1 Timothy 6:2?
Scholars disagree on the exact meaning. The Greek phrase (euergesias antilambanomenoi) can be read as masters who devote themselves to caring for their slaves (so Chrysostom, Grimm), or as masters who receive the benefit of their slaves' service. Either way, the point is that a mutual good thing is happening between believing masters and servants, and that good thing flows from both being faithful and beloved in Christ.
Does 1 Timothy 6:2 mean Paul approved of slavery?
Paul does not condemn slavery outright, but he also never says it is a good or permanent institution. He works within the existing social order to transform the relationships from the inside. Barnes notes there is no evidence Paul approved of buying slaves after conversion, or that he regarded slavery as something Christians should preserve. Instead, he calls both slaves and masters to live out their faith within their difficult circumstances until the gospel changes everything.
What does the word 'despise' mean in this verse?
The Greek word kataphroneō means to think down on someone, to consider them as nothing or to hold them in contempt. It is not necessarily active hatred, but a subtle downgrading of respect. Paul warns Christian slaves not to let their shared faith make them look down on their masters as less worthy of honor or service.
Who are 'the believing and beloved' in this verse?
Grammatically in the Greek, 'believing and beloved' refers to the masters (the 'they' who are partakers of the benefit). Paul calls them both faithful (pistoi) and dear to God (agapētoi). This description is meant to remind the slaves that their masters are not just authority figures, they are fellow recipients of God's grace, which should motivate willing service.
How does this verse apply to me if I am not a slave?
At work, at church, or at home, you likely have people in authority over you who are also Christians. The same temptation can arise: to slack off or show less respect because you are spiritual equals. Paul says the opposite: let your shared faith in Christ make you more eager to serve, not less. Serve 'all the more' because the person you serve is a brother or sister.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study