And they that have believing masters
That believe in one God, in opposition to the Gentiles, that held
many gods, and in Jesus Christ, in distinction from the Jews; who
believed in him with the heart, and professed him with their
mouths, and held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. What
is said before, is said to servants that had unbelieving masters;
who would be ready to blaspheme, should they act amiss. Servants
were under a snare both ways, through the insinuations of false
teachers; who suggested, that their servitude was not consistent
with their Christian liberty; that they ought not to serve wicked
men, because being called of God, they were advanced above them;
nor good men, because they were upon a level with them. But the
apostle teaches another doctrine;
let them not despise [them], because they are
brethren;
of the same family named of Christ, and of the same household of
God, and of faith, and have the same father; for though with
regard to spiritual blessings, privileges, and ordinances, they
were equal; yet not with regard to temporal and civil affairs;
and therefore should not treat them with less respect, or be more
backward to obey their lawful commands, on that account:
but rather do [them] service;
more heartily, and with a greater good will, as to the Lord;
these masters belonging to him, and being engaged in his cause;
which they, their servants, by yielding a cheerful obedience to
them, are assisting in: and the rather,
because they are faithful;
in lesser things, in giving to them, their servants, what is just
and equal, proper food and suitable raiment, and their just
wages; and in using their wealth and riches in a good way, for
the interest of Christ, the assistance of the poor saints, and
the spreading of the Gospel; and so in greater things, by holding
fast the profession of their faith, adhering to Christ, his
truths and ordinances: or "because they are believing, or
believers"; it is the same word as before used; and therefore
they should be precious to them, and high in their esteem; for
faith is a precious grace, and such as have it are chosen of God,
and precious:
and beloved;
of God, who had chosen them to salvation; and of Christ, who had
redeemed them by his blood; and of the saints, who are taught of
God to love one another; and this is another reason why they
should be served, and not despised; and a third follows:
partakers of the benefit;
of the free grace of God; of redemption and salvation by Jesus
Christ, and of all spiritual blessings in him; and therefore
should serve them the more cheerfully. The Syriac version renders
it, "such as enjoy rest in", or "are refreshed by their service";
or "by their service to them", as the Arabic version: the sense
is, that when believing servants serve their believing masters
readily and faithfully, their masters are well pleased with them,
delight in their service, and consider it as a benefit to them,
and a kindness done them; and which therefore should animate and
encourage them to serve them. Some understand these characters of
faithful and beloved,
of the servants' themselves; that because they are such;
therefore they should serve, and not despise their believing
masters; and particularly the last clause, which may be rendered,
"who in return receive a benefit from them", as food, raiment,
and wages; and besides, they are used with humanity and kindness,
and in a manner becoming Christians; to which agrees the Ethiopic
version, which renders it, "who will receive and help you"; will
take care of you, and assist you, and supply you with what is
proper and necessary:
these things teach and exhort;
the Syriac and Arabic versions add them; the servants. The
apostle was not above instructing and exhorting persons of such a
capacity, and in so low a state of life; and it became Timothy to
do so likewise; and every minister of the word.