“And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.”
Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the grounds that they are members of the church; rather they must serve them even better, since those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved — the subtlety: shared faith between Christian slave and master intensifies rather than diminishes the servant's obligation (hyperete). Agapē (love) within the faith community demands magnified deference.
Church Fathers on 1 Timothy 6:2
As though he had said, If you are thought worthy of so great a benefit, as to have your masters for your brethren, on this account you ought more especially to submit. “Going before to judgment.” This he had said, implying that of evil actions here some are concealed, and some are not; but there neither the good nor the bad can be concealed. And what is that going before to judgment? When one commits offenses that already condemn him, or when he is incorrigible, and when one…
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