SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:2
Y los que tienen amos fieles, no los tengan en menos, por ser sus hermanos; antes sírvanles mejor, por cuanto son fieles y amados, y partícipes del beneficio. Esto ensea y exhorta.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 6:2
Verse 2. And they that have believing masters] Who have been lately converted as well as themselves. Let them not despise them] Supposing themselves to be their equals, because they are their brethren in Christ; and grounding their opinion on this, that in him there is neither male nor female, bond nor free; for, although all are equal as to their spiritual privileges and state, yet there still continues in the order of God's providence a great disparity of their station: the master must ever be in this sense superior to the servant.
But rather do them service] Obey them the more cheerfully, because they are faithful and beloved; faithful to God's grace, beloved by him and his true followers.
Partakers of the benefit.] thv euepgesiav antilambanomenoi? Joint partakers of the benefit. This is generally understood as referring to the master's participation in the services of his slaves. Because those who are partakers of the benefit of your services are faithful and beloved; or it may apply to the servants who are partakers of many benefits from their Christian masters. Others think that benefit here refers to the grace of the Gospel, the common salvation of believing masters and slaves; but Dr. Macknight well observes that euergesia is nowhere used to denote the Gospel. One of Uffenbach's MSS. has ergasias, of the service; this reading is plainly a gloss; it is not acknowledged by any other MS., nor by any version. FG, and the Codex Augustanus 6, have eusebeiav, of godliness; a term by which the whole Gospel doctrine is expressed, chap. iv. 7, 8, as also in the 6th verse of this chapter.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. And they that have believing masters , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Christians were not to suppose that religious knowledge, or Christia privileges, gave them any right to despise heathen masters, or to disobey lawful commands, or to expose their faults to others. And suc as enjoyed the privilege of living with believing masters, were not to withhold due respect and reverence, because they were equal in respec to religious privileges, but were to serve with double diligence an cheerfulness, because of their faith in Christ, and as partakers of his free salvation. We are not to consent to any words as wholesome, excep the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; to these we must give unfeigne consent. Commonly those are most proud who know least; for they do no know themselves. Hence come envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings disputes that are all subtlety, and of no solidity, between men of corrupt and carnal minds, ignorant of the truth and its sanctifyin power, and seeking their worldly advantage. (1Ti 6:6-10)
Greek Textus Receptus
οι 3588 δε 1161 πιστους 4103 εχοντες 2192 5723 δεσποτας 1203 μη 3361 καταφρονειτωσαν 2706 5720 οτι 3754 αδελφοι 80 εισιν 1526 5748 αλλα 235 μαλλον 3123 δουλευετωσαν 1398 5720 οτι 3754 πιστοι 4103 εισιν 1526 5748 και 2532 αγαπητοι 27 οι 3588 της 3588 ευεργεσιας 2108 αντιλαμβανομενοι 482 5740 ταυτα 5023 διδασκε 1321 5720 και 2532 παρακαλει 3870 5720
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. Partakers of the benefit (oi thv euergesiav antilambanomenoi). The verb means to take hold of; hence, to take hold for the purpose of helping; to take up for, as Luke i. 54; Acts xx. 35. o P. Euergesia, benefit only here and Acts iv. 9. Better, kindly service. Rend. they that busy themselves in the kindly service. 126 The reference is to the kindly acts which the masters do to their slaves; not to the benefits received by the slaves. Comp. Gal. v. 13.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:2 {Let not despise them} (me katafroneitwsan). Negative imperative active third plural of katafronew, to think down on. See #4:12. He must not presume on the equality of Christian brotherhood not allowed by the state's laws. Some of these Christian slaves might be pastors of churches to which the master belonged. For the difficulty of the Christian master's position, see #1Co 7:22; Phm 1:16. {But rather} (alla mallon). Render the Christian Master better service. {They that partake of the benefit} (hoi tes energesias antilambanomenoi). For euergesias (genitive case after participle) see #Ac 4:9, only other N.T. example of this old word. Present middle participle of antilambanw, old verb, to take in turn, to lay fast hold of, in N.T. only here, #Lu 1:54; Ac 20:35.
