“True Servants and True Teachers”
(1 Timothy 6:1-5)
Series: Reality Check: Keeping it Real at FBC
Rev. Todd A. Linn, PhD
First Baptist Henderson, KY
(12-14-08) (AM)
- Take God’s Word and open to 1 Timothy, chapter 6.
We’re continuing our series of messages through the book of 1 Timothy and we’re now in the last chapter of this book. This morning’s text calls for two things: Paul calls for Christians to be true servants in verses 1-2 and then he calls for Christians to be true teachers in verses 3-5. Let’s read about it now.
- Stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word.
1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
- Pray.
Introduction:
Frequently we have said that in order to interpret the Bible correctly we must ask three questions: 1) what does the text say, 2) what does the text mean, and then 3) how does the text apply? And we must ask those three questions in order.
Most of us have heard about the poor guy who was feeling down and looking for a bit of encouragement from the Bible. He didn’t know much about the Bible so he figured he would just open it up and let his finger fall upon a text that he hoped would encourage him. So he opened it up and let his finger fall upon a text and he read, “Judas hanged himself.” Not finding much encouragement in that, he tried again and read, “Go and do likewise.” Well, he didn’t like that so he tried once more and read, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
So to avoid that kind of poor biblical interpretation, we ask these three questions. First, we ask, “What does the text say?” That means we carefully read the text. Then, “What does the text mean?” And in answering this question we are taking care to read the text in context. We want to know what the words before and after the text say as well as what is the historical context. We noted the significance of this particular question briefly in last week’s text where we read Paul’s saying to Timothy, “Timothy use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities (5:23).” We noted in passing that it would be wrong for us to interpret that phrase—a phrase written in 2,000 years ago in a day before refrigeration and a day of impure drinking water where wine was often mixed with water to make it pure and drinkable—as a wholesale endorsement of today’s alcohol industry in America. That’s paying attention to historical context. Then we ask, “How does the text apply?” Now this third question must be asked last. We cannot begin talking about the significance of the text today until we deal with what the passage means. That is, we cannot talk about what it means today until we understand what it meant back then.
The reason we’re taking care to note all of this is because we may have been startled by the opening words of chapter 6. We read Paul’s words about slaves and slave masters in verses 1 and 2. The word “bondservants” there in verse one should really be translated “slaves.” That is exactly what Paul has in mind.
The Roman Empire was something like 65 million in population. Conservative estimates are that about ¼ of the Roman population were slaves. Some slaves were treated poorly but some were treated well. In fact, many slaves fared better than the average worker in that they could count on being regularly provided with food, clothing, and a place to live. Some people became slaves because they owed debts. Others became slaves because they had committed a crime. But such was the case in the Roman Empire.
Now I don’t want to spend a great deal of time on this, but some may be wondering, “If slavery is wrong then why doesn’t Paul deal with it?” You know, “Why doesn’t he say, ‘Stop this slavery business?’” Well, we should note that Paul never endorses slavery. We never read his saying something like, “Slavery is a good thing.” Frequently, Paul quotes Scripture to support the things he writes about. For example he writes in Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” And then he quotes from Exodus 20, the 10 Commandments, “Honor your father and your mother.” Well, Paul doesn’t do that here in writing about slavery. He doesn’t say, “Own slaves and here is why,” quoting from Scripture. He doesn’t do that because slavery cannot be justified by Scripture. Slavery is wrong.
So why doesn’t Paul call for revolution? Well, isn’t it interesting that the Bible never calls for revolution? Rather we read how Christians are to change this world one person at a time being, as Jesus said in Matthew 5, “salt and light,” influencing people for good in our immediate sphere of influence. We are to be winsome and engaging at work and at school and in our family and in our community. Paul recognizes that and he recognizes that, even if so-called “revolution” were something worthy of one’s time, now was not that time. 1st century Roman Empire was not that time. Calling for civil disobedience and agitation of the entire social structure would likely have led to adverse conditions for Christians and would have hindered the spread of the Gospel.
So Paul writes to people where they are. If you’re a slave, act this way. If you’re a slave owner who has recently become a Christian, then act this way. And the relationship described is a relationship where one person has authority over another, much as an employer has authority over another. So while we don’t have this business of slavery today, we still find modern application on the basis of this relationship between one who employs a worker and one who works for an employer.
Now that’s a pretty lengthy introduction, but I wanted us to get at how this text applies to us today. And this is where we are now. Paul calls for Christians to honor God in two ways. Here’s the first:
I. Honor God by Submitting in the Workplace [1-2]
The relationship between slave and slave master has wider application to all who are under the authority of another and most pointedly to the relationship between worker and boss. Some of you may even feel you are a slave in the workplace and that your boss is a mean, slave master. Well, all the more reason to find encouragement in the text this morning! God calls for Christians to honor God by having a submissive spirit in the workplace, whether our boss is a Christian or a non-Christian. Paul says it doesn’t matter. We’re to honor God by being a hard worker whether our boss is a believer or not. First:
- Set an example before Unbelievers (1)
1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
Now we know that Paul has in mind those who work for unbelievers in verse 1 because verse 2 begins with, “And those who have believing masters.” So Paul has in mind here in verse 1 the Christian who is employed by an unbelieving employer, a boss who is not a Christian. And what does Paul say? He says, “Count your master as worthy of all honor.”
That is, respect your unbelieving employer. Respect your boss who is not a Christian. Honor your employer by being the hardest worker in the place. Is it striking that Paul calls for this? Some might expect him to say, “Don’t work for that guy! He’s not a Christian!” Paul doesn’t say that. Rather he says, “Hey, those of you have ungodly, pagan bosses here’s what to do—count them worthy of honor and really do a great job for them.” Now let that sink in. Someone argues, “But my boss is a tyrant! He is a slave-driver. He is impossible!” Paul says, “Respect him. Work hard. Do your best.”
Why?! For what reason?! “Okay, you want a reason?” says Paul, “I’ll give you a reason.” Don’t miss this. Look carefully at verse 1. “Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor,” why, Paul?! “So that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.”
There’s your reason, says Paul. Do you want the name of God to be blasphemed? How would our work blaspheme the name of God? When you don’t work as you should, when you’re lazy, when you show up late, when you leave early, you blaspheme the name of God because your employer hears your talk about “that Jesus stuff” but then he sees the way you work. And your poor work ethic drives him further away from God.
You dishonor the name of God and “His doctrine.” That is, everything the Scriptures teach about the Christian faith. Your poor work ethic brings shame upon the Scriptures because even your boss knows a little bit of Scripture and he knows you don’t really live what it teaches.
Your unbelieving boss sees the signs in the yards, you know: “The 10 Commandments.” He’s familiar with most of them. He’s heard the “Golden Rule.” He knows that Christians are supposed to do unto others as they want others to do unto them. He’s seen your bumper sticker that tells the world about your faith, but then he hears the way you gripe about company policy and fight with other workers and goof off on the phone or computer when you’re supposed to be on the clock. And by your actions you blaspheme the name of God and His doctrine.
So honor your employer by being the hardest worker in the place. Respect your employer. He’ll never be interested in coming to Christ until he sees a difference in you. Many of you work for unbelievers and many of you work with unbelievers. And Paul’s point is the same: No one will ever be won over by our talk unless they see a difference in our walk.
- Set an example before Believers (2)
2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Paul says, “Okay, now for those of you who have Christian bosses, don’t hate them because they’re brothers or sisters, don’t hate them because you don’t like the way they rule over you.” Rather, he says, “serve them because they’re believers and beloved.” Paul is saying, “You should really want to work hard for a Christian boss because he is, or she is, after all a Christian, a believer. Your Christian boss is a beloved believer so be grateful and work hard.
Implied here is another teaching and that is that Christians should not expect special treatment from Christian employers or those who have authority over them simply on the basis of their being fellow believers. Don’t expect special favors and treatment just because the one who has authority over you happens to be a believer.
If you’ve done something illegal and you stand before a Christian judge, don’t expect the judge to just wink at you and say, “Hey, no problem, brother!” or, “No problem, sister!” Don’t be surprised when the gavel pounds and you hear the sentence. Don’t expect the Christian business owner to give you some kind of discount simply because you both believe Christ. He’s got to make a living, you know. In fact, instead of expecting a discount, maybe you should give him more money for the thing in his shop because he is a believer. And if the cop pulls you over and you’re sweating and you recognize his face from church, don’t be surprised when you smile and say, “See you Sunday” to hear him or her say, “See you in court, buddy!”
Let’s just sum up this first main point here about bondservants by looking to Jesus. Let me read you this parallel text. 1 Peter 2:18-23:
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Look to Jesus and follow His example. Here’s the second point:
II. Honor God by Submitting to the Word [3-5]
In verses 3-5 Paul returns to his earlier warnings about false teachers. He warns about those who do not submit to the Word of God, to the Scriptures, but rather twist them, turn them, argue over them, and teach a false Gospel. So Paul ends the discussion in verse 2 with “Teach and exhort these things” that serves as a segue to what follows in verse 3, “anyone who teaches otherwise.”
- The Word points to Godliness (3)
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
Anyone who teaches otherwise is teaching that which does not consent to wholesome words, the sound instruction of Scripture. And this instruction includes “the words of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “the doctrine which accords with godliness.” And the idea is that all of these things cohere: wholesome words, the words of Jesus Christ, and the doctrine. All of these things points to godliness.
The Word points to godliness. If we love the Word, the Bible, we will read it, study it, learn it and love it. And the effect of this love for the Word is godliness. It changes the way we live. We embrace its truth and it changes us. We love to submit to it because it is the Word of God and it changes us, making us a godly people. The Word points to godliness. And:
- The Word protects from Worldliness (4-5)
By worldliness I mean the behavior of one who is more in love with the things of this world than he is in love with the things of God. In verses 4-5 Paul describes the worldly ways of the false teachers.
4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
We don’t know much about these false teachers but their worldly behavior is described here. They are “proud” or “conceited” and they “know nothing.” They are “obsessed with disputes and arguments over words.”
The word “obsessed” there is the Greek word from which we get our English word, “nausea.” It means “to be sick.” Paul seems to be contrasting the “wholesome words” of verse 3 with the “unhealthy ways” of verse 4.
Apparently, these false teachers enjoyed “disputes and arguments over words.” They come looking for a fight. He’s like the guy who loves going to hockey games because he’s looking for a fight to break out. Or as we say sometimes, “I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out!”
They come looking for a fight. We might think of a person today who angrily insists upon one translation of the Bible over another. Or one who argues over the peripheral matters of the biblical text rather than talking about the main point of the text. Watch out for this in Sunday school. Don’t participate in disputes and arguments over words. From these things come, verse 4, “envy, strife, reviling, and evil suspicions.” And that’s not all; verse 5:
5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth,
That’s an interesting statement! They are “destitute of the truth.” Here they are arguing about the truth, but none of them really know it!
who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
(This last phrase is not in a number of manuscripts, but its teaching is true. Withdraw yourself from such people!)
These false teachers “suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” We’re not really certain what these false teachers were doing that indicated their belief that “godliness is a means of gain.” The context suggests a financial gain. These false teachers may have charged high fees for their false speeches or they entered into a kind of religious ministry where they believed they could benefit materially.
We don’t have time to make pointed application here. Just turn on the television and you’ll find the kind of people Paul likely had in mind. “Send your money in faith and God will bless you,” they say. You all are sensible people. You know them when you see them and you won’t send your money.
It seems like so much of this text addresses the importance of our walk and not just our talk. As Paul writes in Titus 2: 9-10—another place where he describes this relationship between slaves and slave masters—we are to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” We’re to “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.”
Let’s live that way so the name of God and the doctrine of God is not blasphemed. Let’s live in a way that glorifies God at work, home, school, and the neighborhood–all for the glory of God!
Stand for prayer…
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author. The reproduction, or distribution of this message, or any portion of it, should include the author’s name. The author intends to provide free resources in order to inspire believers and to assist preachers and teachers in Kingdom work.