And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are believers and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
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Clement Of Alexandria
AD 215
"Let those who have faithful masters not despise them, because they ate brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful."
For it is not to no purpose that the blessed apostle exhorts Timothy, and says, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith."
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 thinks to set him right and cannot succeed. What then? What is the use of mentioning this? Because if here any escape detection, they will not hereafter. There all things are laid open; and this is the greatest consolation to those who do well.
Then because he had said, Do nothing by partiality, as if under the necessity of interpreting it, he adds, As many servants as are under the yoke. But you will say, What has a Bishop to do with this? Much surely, for it is his office to exhort and to teach these too. And...
A teacher has need not only of authority, but of gentleness, and not only of gentleness, but of authority. And all these the blessed Paul teaches, at one time saying, These things command and teach 1 Timothy 4:11; at another, These things teach and exhort. For if physicians entreat the sick, not for the benefit of their own health, but that they may relieve their sickness, and restore their prostrate strength, much more ought we to observe this method, of entreating those whom we teach. For the blessed Paul does not refuse to be their servant: We preach not ourselves, he says; but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake 2 Corinthians 4:5; and again, All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos. 1 Corinthians 3:12 And in this service he serves with alacrity, for it is not slavery, but superior to freedom. For He says, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. John 8:34
