1 Timothy 6:1: "All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered."
What?????!!!!!!?????
2007-10-07 08:49:19 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sounds to me like God likes slavery. The Old Testament shows this too.
2007-10-07 08:52:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
1 Timothy was a letter written by a Jew of the first century from the perspective of a man of the day. At that time there were slaves. Now there are not (in our country). Context changes but God's message does not. Also note that Paul uses the term "yoke of slavery". A yoke is not a nice thing to be under and it is clear from Paul's choice of words that he does not consider slavery a good thing. However, he IS saying that whatever circumstances you find yourself in we should live lives worthy of God so that people will see God in us and not have any reason to slander Him that comes from our actions.
2007-10-07 16:01:17 · answer #2 · answered by norm_paperman69 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The yoke of slavery is a state of mind, so those in that state of mind should teach and preach the above principles so that all believers can partake and benefit from the Lessons preached by Paul.
I don't know who deep your faith is? Or if you are new to religion, but step back for a minute and look at people as individuals and not whole groups.
A slave is anyone who takes on the mental shackles of slavery. A master is anyone who takes on the mental shackles of slavery. A free person does not subscribe to or allow any type of mental shackle to be placed on hir. A free person never relinquishes their freedom.
Paul the Apostle tells Timothy to tell slaves to play their role so that the message can continue to grow, because religion is big business, and religion would rather have ignorant followers than enlightened thinkers.
2007-10-07 16:02:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The definition of slavery is servitude or bondage. With that being said I want you to have a time-line projection of when the Apostle Paul wrote this book.
Knowing that the times were very different back then (500AD). God just wanted the people to know that rather you were a slave due to punishment from stealing or employment for food that one should not hate, but love his master as God love us.
For it is written, "Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."(Ephesians 6:8)
2007-10-07 16:25:19 · answer #4 · answered by luvmyselfu 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Paul called upon slaves to count their own masters worthy of all honor - to be good, respectful workers for their masters. He did this not out of a general approval of the institution of slavery, but so that God would be glorified. These same principles apply to our occupations today. Each Christian should ask if they are leading people to Jesus by how they work, or if they are leading people away from Jesus by their bad work and testimony at their job.
2007-10-07 15:59:46 · answer #5 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The verse is not about slavery but about how we act. Jesus spent his entire ministry serving others. Whether we are slave or master we are to show God's love in how we act.
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law
Jesus didn't come to change the social structure. There were several different types of slavery back then. We are to obey God first. But we are also to obey the law the government has set for us.
Matthew 22:21
Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
2007-10-07 15:59:12 · answer #6 · answered by linnea13 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Slavery existed. The phrase is obvious. God didn't make the institution of slavery, man did.
2007-10-07 15:59:32 · answer #7 · answered by PROBLEM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul, is saying to respect those in authority over you and conduct yourself according the Christian ways.
Slavery in the western mind brings up images of American slavery which was most often oppressive and brutal.
Slavery in Paul's time was accepted and normal. Today, we are slaves to credit cards, mortgages and car loans, but still not free to do what we want unless we are independently wealthy.
2007-10-07 15:57:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think at that time, there were persons who worked off debts by serving as 'hired hands' in another's household. They were as slaves because of their debt. If they became Christians, they were to give respect to their 'masters' (the one indebted to), such that their conduct didn't bring reproach to the congregation. For example, they wouldn't steal or misuse the property of the one to whom they owe service.
2007-10-07 15:55:35 · answer #9 · answered by Zeera 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Paul was a pervert. Also he was a Republican and thought slavery was okay.
Actually God himself, if you read Deuteronomy, you will see that God didn't mind slavery, and he said if you beat your slave and he die you will be punished, but if he gets better you won't be punished.
2007-10-07 15:57:32 · answer #10 · answered by Saint Nearly 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋