63 AD

• Some historians have estimated that half of the population of the Roman Empire was composed of slaves.
• Many of these people were educated and cultured, but legally they were not considered persons at all.
• The Gospel message of salvation and freedom in Christ appealed to the slaves, and many of them became believers.
• When slaves were able to get away from their household duties, they would fellowship in local assemblies where being a slave was not a handicap (Gal. 3:28).
• But there was a problem: Some slaves used their newfound freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey, if not defy, their masters.
• They needed to learn that their spiritual freedom in Christ did not alter their social position, even though they were accepted graciously into the fellowship of the church.[1]

 
HONORING MASTERS
1 TIMOTHY 6
1 All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and his teaching will not be blasphemed.

• Paul is encouraging Christian slaves to be role models for the unbelieving masters.
• God’s kindness leads to repentance.

2 Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

• Sometimes we believe because we are working for a Christian boss that we don’t have to work as hard.
• We have the same rights that they do because we are both believers.
• We should have the desire to serve believing masters even more than others.

 
FALSE DOCTRINE AND HUMAN GREED
Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,

• 1) They must teach the Bible.
• Isaiah 8:20 -  Go to God’s instruction and testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. [2]
• They are totally in the dark.
• Everything must filter through the 66 books.
• Don’t believe what I am saying.
• Filter my notes, interpretation, and opinions.

4 he is conceited and understands nothing but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words.

• 2) There is an attitude that is conveyed.
• Proud vs humble
• Brain vs heart
• Argumentative vs listening and instructing.
• Conceited, ignorant and desired confrontation over the little things.
• This attitude destroys any sense of community.

From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.

• The heretics viewed religion as a means of making a quick dollar.
• In character they were greedy and materialistic.
• Paul’s strong words described false teachers who exploited the church for their own ends without caring about the havoc they created[3]
• Do you not think Satan uses the same tactic today?
• One of the top reasons men don’t come to church.
• The church is always needing their next dollar.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

• Financial guys in the room.
• They have much more to offer than growing your account.
• There is a spirit about them.
• Even Cory…
• Ecclesiastes 1:18 - 18 For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.[4]

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.

• Job, David & Solomon all said this.

8 If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

• What is our level of contentment?
• “What do you want for Christmas?” “I’m good”
• Too many of us know the “price of everything and the value of nothing.”
• We are so glutted with luxuries that we have forgotten how to enjoy our necessities.[5]
• We have moved into a throw away society.
• If it’s broke… get a new one… even cars.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

• Money is not evil… it is the love of money that is evil.
• It is a dangerous thing to use religion as a cover-up for acquiring wealth.
• God’s laborer is certainly worthy of his hire (1 Tim. 5:17–18), but his motive for laboring must not be money.[6]
• “A” root… my trees have multiple roots.
• Where does that craving come from?...

 
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
11 But you (Timothy - utter contrast), man of God (identity), flee from these things,

1. The word “flee” that Paul used here did not refer to literal running, but to Timothy’s separating himself from the sins of the false teachers.[7]

and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

1. Separation without positive growth becomes isolation.[8]

• Character and conduct
• Gentleness… it is through kindness…

12 Fight the good fight of the faith.

• Present tense… continuous struggle.
• Who is this fight with?
• Ask this question every time you get in an argument?
• Who is real struggle against?
• The evil one

Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

• Paul was encouraging Timothy to fight through his timidity.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Like a commander in the military giving orders.

15 God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal (not subject to death) and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

• Exodus 33:18-23 - 18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see your glory.”
• He said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place near me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when my glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen.” [9]
• Colossians 1:27 – 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[10]

 
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RICH
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
 

• Paul closes his letter to Timothy with this…

GUARD THE HERITAGE
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge. 21 By professing it, some people have departed from the faith.

• This is a great week for us to be reminded of our conversations and in who we put our trust.

 
Grace be with you all.[11]

• It is with us.
• Receive it and share it.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 233–234). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Is 8:20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 167). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ec 1:18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 235–236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (Ex 33:18–23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible (Col 1:27). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 6:1–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• Paul continues discussing "submission" from 5:21 - "submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

CHILDREN AND PARENTS
EPHESIANS 6:1-9
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.

• Here is harmony in the home:
• the wife submits to the husband “as unto Christ”;
• the husband loves his wife “even as Christ also loved the church”;
• and the children obey “in the Lord.”[1]
• "Children" - Not only a reference to young age but referring to those living in the same household with the parents having authority over them.
• "obey" - listen, pay attention, answer, respond and submit.
• "in the Lord" - Godly parents with godly behavior. This defines the sphere in which the obedience is to move
• In context. - It is not required or expected for a child to obey when the parental wishes lead to a sinful behavior.
• "right" - agrees with God's design for family and the relationship between the parent and child.

2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise,

• "honor" - respect, courtesy and obedience. This comes from being placed in a God-given position.
• A child's response to their parents is typically directly reflective of how they respond to all relationships.
• If they have a learned behavior as a child it will be one they will potentially struggle with in their flesh as an adult.
• The only way to overcome that is through spiritual maturity and walking by the Spirit.
• The "promise" is mentioned in verse 3.

3 so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.

• Exodus 20:12 - Commandment #5 - 12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. [2]
• "go well" - God designed the world with a working order... if you work inside that order... things have a tendency to go well... percentages are higher than those who oppose the God-ordained system and have to deal with consequences.
• "long life" - not a guarantee for longevity but a promise that your obedient life is less likely to bring death because of logical consequences from sin.
• All parties must be filled with the Spirit so that the relationships can work as designed.

4 Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

• Many times, one's relationship with their earthly father is a reflection of the person's thoughts on their heavenly Father which can be both good or bad.
• This is why it is necessary for the Truth to shape your perspective of God.
• 1) No performance-based acceptance (Titus 3:5; Romans 3:20)
• 2) Makes sacrifices for them and makes them feel special (John 3:16).
• 3) Never condemns their person (Rom 8:1) but corrects their behavior with a tear in His eye rather than a scowl on His face (Heb 12:5-11)
• 4) Never shows favoritism (Gal 3:28)
• 5) Makes decisions on how it will help... not hinder his children (principle of the cross).
• When you leave the hospital with your first born... "Where is the instruction manual?" Same as when they become a teenager or enter high school...
• "bring them up" - nourish toward maturity, to rear up.
• "training/discipline" - physical punishment (Prov 13:24)
• We can't rescue our kids from logical consequences.
• Everyone learns the hard way... take your lumps...
• Allow them room to fail and suffer the outcome within the season they are under your roof.
• "instruction" - Training by the Word, by both encouragement and reproof.
• Discipline without instruction can create an angry and confused child.

 
SLAVES AND MASTERS
5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ.

• History of Master/Slave relationships:
• Before Acts 2, the Romans treated slaves as animals.
• The Master/Slave relationship had greatly changed at the time of writing of Ephesians and was widely accepted in society.
• Kent Hughes: "Ephesians" - The fact is, by the time of the Christian area and writing of this Ephesians, sweeping changes had been introduced which radically improved the treatment of slaves. Slaves under Roman law in the first century could generally count on eventually being set free. Very few ever reached old age as slaves. Slave owners were releasing slaves at such a rate that Augustus Caesar introduced legal restrictions to curb the trend. Despite this, inscriptions indicate that almost 50 percent of slaves were freed before the age of thirty. What is more, while the slave remained his master's possession he could own property - including other slaves! and completely controlled his own property, so that he could invest and save to purchase his own freedom.
• We also must understand that being a slave did not indicate one's social class. Slaves, regularly were accorded the social status of their owners. Regarding outward appearance, it was usually impossible to distinguish a slave from free persons. A slave could be a custodian, a salesman, or CEO. Many slaves lived separately from their owners. Finally, selling oneself into slavery was commonly used as a means of obtaining Roman citizenship and gaining an entrance into society. Roman slavery in the first century was far more humane and civilized than the American/African slavery practiced in this country much later. This is a sobering and humbling fact!
• Slavery was never condemned in the New Testament and was even affirmed by Jesus through His teachings.
• It was necessary to prevent economic disaster for all.
• It nowhere resembled what we think of when we hear the word "slavery".
• The Master/Slave relationship is very similar to our Employee/Employer relationship today.
• Believers (who know who they are) have a huge impact on the work society.
• They are the ones who truly understand the role of submission.
• They are filled with the Spirit unlike nonbelievers.
• They understand there is an intentional authority order to things.
• Mutual submission is the goal in such relationships, not a dictatorship.
• "fear & trembling" - respect and responsibility.
• "sincerity" - Singleness, purity and uprightness.

6 Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart.

• Not by "eyeservice" - Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you (NLT)
• 1) Some employees like to just check off a list.
• 2) Some like to do things as if they were doing it for themself.
• 3) Others like to do it as if they are trying to impress their boss.
• 4) Paul is saying, "Do your work as if you are doing it for Jesus". Jesus came to serve.
• Of the 4 types of employees, which one would you want to work for you?
• Which one would you have to consistently check up on?
• Work from the perspective of what the employer will receive rather than what you will receive.
• Do you ever notice good workers... "I'd hire that person in a heartbeat."

7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,

• Many times you will not be recognized for your work...
• That is why it is important to have the attitude of rendering your service to the Lord rather than to your employer.

8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.

• Paul is saying that "good deeds never go unnoticed by God."
• Even if the employer does not reward you, God will!

9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.[3]

• As the Christian masters of Paul's day interacted with the slaves, they were to display the same respect they expected in return.
• Again, only employers with the Spirit of God in them will understand this concept.

Submission is the key to relationships... As the body of Christ, we are called to a life of submission (not weakness) to one another.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 53). Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ex 20:12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 6:1–9). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.