By 1 Timothy 6:1-2 “All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.”
From my limited understanding of the type of slavery that was in place under Roman rule at this time, it would function more like the modern day relationship of Employer and Employee than the American understanding of slavery that existed on our soil. Regardless, Paul here is concerned that neither the name of God, nor the doctrine of God, are spoken against on account of our unwillingness to honor person’s of human authority. The key is that if we do not honor those to whom honor is due, then God, who deserves all honor, is dishonored as well.
Why would you not honor someone God tells you to honor? If God says that you are to honor your boss and you do not, you are dishonoring God by disobedience to his command to show honor to whom honor is due. Not only that but suppose your boss knows that you are a Christian. Now he links your dishonoring behavior to both your doctrine of God, and also to God himself. He now has distain for God’s name and His doctrine in the Scriptures because of the way you reflect them. This is why Paul commands Timothy to “teach and preach these principles.” God’s Name is at stake.
Leading Family Devotions 