1 Timothy 6:1

All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul instructs Timothy, a young pastor in Ephesus, on how members of the congregation who are slaves should conduct themselves toward their masters.

The words — Zugon (ζυγός) is the wooden bar laid across the necks of draft animals; here it names the physical condition of slavery without softening it.

The thread — The same logic appears in Ephesians 6:5 (obey earthly masters as you would Christ) and 1 Peter 2:17 (honor the king), where conduct is framed by witness rather than by the master's moral standing.

Why it lands — The slave's behavior is not a matter of personal loyalty to the master but of protecting the credibility of God's name and the teaching attached to it.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Cross-references

1 Peter 2:17 Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Titus 2:5 to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.
Titus 2:8 and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
1 Corinthians 7:21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
Romans 2:24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Malachi 1:6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
Matthew 11:30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Luke 17:1 Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come!