UBF Daily Bread

DO NOTHING OUT OF FAVORITISM

Passage: 1Timothy 5:17~6:2

Key verse: 21

¹⁷The elders^(A) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(B) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a]^(C) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^[b]^(D) ¹⁹Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^(E) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^(F) ²⁰But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove^(G) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.^(H) ²¹I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus^(I) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

²²Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,^(J) and do not share in the sins of others.^(K) Keep yourself pure.^(L)

²³Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine^(M) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. ²⁵In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,^(N) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.^(O) ²Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.^(P) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare^[c] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.^(Q)

Footnotes

1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

1. How to serve elders (17-25)

Elders are to be honored, supported materially, protected, and reproved. This must be done based on God's truth, not partiality or favoritism. This requires discernment so as not to judge or support too quickly, but wait on God's good time. This may cause stress, so Timothy should manage his health. In the end, truth will be revealed, and we trust in God's perfect judgment.

2. How to serve slaves (6:1-2)

Jesus came to set us free. Slaves may misunderstand this as a basis for rebellion and social revolt, hijacking God's name and gospel teaching for a social movement. Paul encourages Timothy to help slaves deepen their spiritual maturity, so the society may be transformed by the gospel of the kingdom through their example. Those with Christian masters are to serve them as dear fellow believers, knowing they also are devoted to their slaves' welfare.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you are just. Help me grow in discernment and serve impartially.

One Word: So God's name may not be slandered