1 Timotius 6:1-3

6:1 Those who are under the yoke as slaves ¹  must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent ²  the name of God and Christian teaching ³  from being discredited. ⁴  6:2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect ⁵  because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. ⁶ 

Summary of Timothy’s Duties

Teach them and exhort them about these things. ⁷  6:3 If someone spreads false teachings ⁸  and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness,

[6:1]  ¹ tn Traditionally, “servants.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

[6:1]  ² tn Grk “that the name…may not be slandered” (a continuation of the preceding sentence).

[6:1]  ³ tn Grk “the teaching.”

[6:1]  ⁴ tn Or “slandered.”

[6:2]  ⁵ tn Or “think the less of them”; Grk “despise them,” “look down on them.”

[6:2]  ⁶ tn Or “those who devote themselves to service are faithful and dearly loved” (referring to slaves who serve them).

[6:2]  ⁷ tn Grk “these things teach and exhort.”

[6:3]  ⁸ tn Grk “teaches other doctrines,” (different from apostolic teaching, cf. 1 Tim 1:3).