1 Timothy 6:1,2

Timothy's duties in regard to slaves

The last of the four sections of special charge (commenced in the previous chapter) is Timothy's attitude towards Christian slaves. The position taken by Christ and His apostles in regard to slavery and the whole -social order" of the world is well known. The existing basis of society with its relationships was recognised; while the eternal principles of Christian equality and love were boldly proclaimed, and trusted, as the true solvents of all that was amiss between man and man in God's own time and His own patient way of working both for the material and spiritual world.

The present teaching of St Paul, an echo of similar exhortations (Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22), is in entire harmony with the Divine wisdom of the Master's oracle -Render unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's." Nothing is more wonderful in the life of Christianity than the slow gradual establishment of women's position in the family, and of social and civil freedom in the state, in accordance with the seed-principles of Christ's law; unless it be watching the same growth (hardly yet more than infantile), in the wider sphere of international brotherhood and the signs of a -Christian conscience" stirring in the intercourse of state with state. See Appendix, J.