We are in a section of 1 Timothy in 1 Timothy 5-6 which speak of honouring different groups. In 1 Timothy 5:3, we were told to honour widows who were truly widows, those who have nothing in this world but God. We are to also give double honour to those who lead and rule well, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching (1 Tim 5:17). Their work should not go unnoticed, unappreciated and without regard from us.
Now, Paul speaks about honouring masters (1 Tim 6:1). Notice how he does not apply any caveats — “only the Christian boss” or “only the boss in church”.
Godliness expresses itself in honouring others. The command given is to regard with high value and worth. Hence, here, we have a vision for how we think about work, and how we are to respond to them directly. And therefore how we are to see ourselves as workers.
Work that honours (v1)
Paul is speaking now about slaves and masters (1 Tim 6:1). Notice that there are slaves in the church. The first century church had people of different economic standing as the gospel brought people of different backgrounds together. Slaves had to sell themselves for indebted employment. Today, we do not do so out of debt. But slaves in the New Testament is the closest in the Bible to modern employment.
Before we go on, see that Scripture talks about work, especially the relationship between employers and employees. Therefore, our work should matter rightly to God. This part of our lives should not be in the section of our lives that God has no part of.
Have you thought about what the Bible says about work? God cares about the jobs that we do, how we approach the tasks that we do, whether we pray about it, and even all the sorrows we experience at work.
This is why Timothy is told to address the slaves — because God cares about their work.
Paul is not unrealistic about the harsh challenges about being a slave. He recognises that they are “under a yoke” (1 Tim 6:1), which is clearly metaphorical. Paul knows what we do — that work can feel like a burden. It can feel like a load and oppression. And Jews would know what a yoke on a shoulder be like — think back to Israel under Egyptian slavery.
But what does Paul want them to do? He says, “regard their own masters as worthy of all honour” (1 Tim 6:1). It means working on obedience and doing right by the master, such that it is profitable to him. Do right by them. Seek to prosper them.
How do you think about work? Are we just going to work to gain money or to get paid for the work that we do? Are you going to work to self-actualise and to be happy at work? Does Paul say that our view of work should be transactional, or self-actualising, or something else? In the first two instances, we will never find the joy the God intends for us to have. There has to be another way.
Paul doesn’t just give the instructions — he also follows up with a reasoning. This is so that “the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (1 Tim 6:1b). This builds on the theme that has been running through the book (c.f. 1 Tim 1:11, 2:2, 3:15, 4:6). Again and again, we have been seeing that proper living is a reflection of what we believe about the truth. The way we live doesn’t make the truths more truthful, but it presents the truths for others to see. Paul is helping us see that God’s on name on us, and the consistency of Christian teaching is reflected in how we live our lives.
This is similar to what we know as the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:23-27, where God puts His name upon the people and He blesses them. Thus, we don’t work for our own benefits, but to reflect the glory of God.
This means that it is possible to live in a way that results in the teaching of work being reviled. What will it look like if someone follows you to work? Would they be able to say that you know God? Does your life reflect honouring and prospering of your employer?
As Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:18-19, “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
Seek to do your employer right, even when it does not profit you. The rest of the chapter in 1 Peter 2 shows us the work and example of Christ. The life of Christ changes the way we work: “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21–25)
(B) Work that serves (1 Tim 6:2)
Paul turns to a subset of this audience and speaks to the slaves who have Christian masters (1 Tim 6:2). Paul teaches that they are not to be disrespectful on they ground that they are brothers (1 Tim 6:2a). Have you leveraged your faith, to put yourself in an advantageous position or put someone else at a disadvantage, namely your employer? Have you leveraged the gospel for self-gain? Have you deprived your boss of the honour that is due him or her?
Instead, they are to serve all the better, since those who benefit from their good service are believers and beloved.
What does this look like? It looks like working with the intention of doing the other person good. Paul also explicitly states that it is service. The Christian understands that through his/her work, he is lifting others up.
Are your bosses Christians? This verse is plain for us to obey and apply today.
How do we think about other Christians? Romans 12:10 states it plainly. We can serve and love them, and wage a way against our own sinful self, fighting greed, selfishness and self-entitlement.
(C) Work that does not define us (Philemon)
We now turn to the letter written to Philemon. Paul wrote this to Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus, who is now a fellow brother in Christ.
Formerly, Paul writes, Onesimus was useless to Philemon (Philemon 11a) as a bondservant (Philemon 16a). This is interesting isn’t it? We would expect him to be useful as a slave, but his heart and approach to his work is viewed as useless to his master.
Then, Onesimus became Paul’s child and Paul saw himself as his father in his imprisonment (Philemon 10). Paul was glad to keep him and have him work for Paul (Philemon 13) but since Onesimus ran away from his master, under the law, his master is allowed to decide what to do with him (Philemon 10). Paul was happy to give Onesimus a job (Philemon 13). But instead, he wants Onesimus and Philemon to regard each other rightly.
Onesimus is adopted by Paul but what is more important is his conversion. He leaves the sin and wrongs that he has committed behind him, and fully leans on the righteousness of Christ. Paul does not insist that Onesimus inhabit his old identity as a slave. Yes, he is going back to his master, but that is to face up to his sin. Conversion involves repenting of former sins. Yes, Onesimus may be fearful of the consequences, but Paul encourages him to do that and writes this to Philemon.
Thus, Paul desires that Philemon see Onesimus as one that’s useful to them (Philemon 11b) more than a bondservant, but as a beloved brother (Philemon 16b). Philemon 7 shows us an example of a relationship that Christians have. Paul cares about Philemon and is invested in his growth and walk. This is how we ought to see one another, and show us love, affection and care to one another.
From just this short letter, we are to see that the work that we do does not define us. The work itself may make us useless to our employer. We are only useful when we are believers in the Lord. How do you see yourself? How do you introduce yourself? Is that who you really are? Is that how you want to connect with those around you?
Your work should result in service and should also honour your employers. But it does not define you. Our identity is in Christ. He who began a good work in us and will bring it to completion (Phil 1:6). We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph 2:10).
As you think about your own way and way you work, what would it look like for you to honour your employer at work? How should you see fellow believers at work? Are you overdefining yourself by your work, and not enough in the gospel?