Believers & Bosses

Introduction

Hook: Imagine you show up to work tomorrow and find out your boss got saved this weekend. Would that make your life easier—or harder? Why? Do you think your work ethic and witness might have helped or hindered? How has your relationship with your boss been lately?

Ephesus Context: Timothy pastored in Ephesus, building on Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:5–9 LSB

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the integrity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 serving with good will as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9 And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Perhaps masters followed Eph 6:9 (no threats, treating slaves as brothers), but slaves exploited this—prompting Paul’s warning against disrespect (1 Tim 6:2).

Possible Inverted Roles: If some slaves became elders, it might make submission to believing masters (potentially younger or less mature believers in the church) especially challenging.

Thematic Link: Continues chapter 5’s honor theme: widows → elders → masters.

Ongoing Issue and Focus on Slaves: Present-tense verbs show a live problem; Paul targets only slaves’ conduct (congregation already familiar with Ephesians exhortation, maybe Colossians too). This built Timothy’s credibility by guiding young working-class men to noble service. Thomas Lea: “Paul did not emphasize individual rights but individual responsibilities.”

Church Leader’s Role: Timothy (and pastors today) must teach and urge godly behavior in everyday relationships.

First-Century Slavery: Common (13 Jesus parables); mostly economic/political (war, debt), not ethnic. Entry: war, birth, self-sale, kidnapping; birth dominant by Paul’s day. Slaves held skilled jobs (doctors, teachers) alongside free citizens—potential for advancement.

Modern Bridge via Analogy: Like today’s entrepreneur (free but feast-or-famine) vs. enlisted military member (contract-bound, harsh structure, yet secure/protected)—slavery had upsides; Paul regulates it like modern employment.

Biblical View: Not divinely mandated like marriage; regulated for household order—key to stable church/society. George Knight: All NT slave commands demand respectful, submissive service.

Theological Core: Work/authority/family from creation (Gen 1–2); government post-Flood necessity; slavery regulated only. Harold Hoehner: “Christianity’s emphasis has always been on the transformation of individuals who will in turn influence society, not the transformation of society which will then transform individuals (1 Cor 1:18–2:16).” Cannot assume that man is basically good and simply needs a system with less corruption. He is the corruption!

Modern Contrast: We’re often casual about church reputation; Revelation 2–3 rebukes it sharply.

Proposition

1 Timothy 6:1–2 LSB

1 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be slandered. 2 But those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Three divine mandates about submitting to your boss for every Christian in the workplace. These will help you honor God’s name, protect the church’s reputation, and remember your relationships.

Count Every Boss Worthy of All Honor

Hook (New Suggestion): Ever gritted your teeth under a harsh boss? Paul says regard them as worthy of full honor—because your attitude could make or break God's reputation in their eyes.

1 Timothy 6:1 LSB

1 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be slandered.

Text Breakdown – “Under the Yoke”: Yoke evokes galling, humiliating burden—strong clue unbelieving masters in view, lording authority harshly.

Text Breakdown – “Their Own Masters”: Ties to household/family language (1 Tim 3:4-5, 12; 5:4, 8)—no generic lip service; honor the boss right in front of you.

Text Breakdown – “Worthy of All Honor”: Echoes 1:15 ("trustworthy saying... deserving full acceptance"); honor to God (1:17; 6:16) sets pattern—extends to elders (5:17) and now masters. NIDNTTE: Recognizes dignity of position in family/society.

Core Motive – Protect God's Name & Doctrine: Conduct prevents blasphemy (slander); unbelievers most likely to slander God/church teaching. Our lives either adorn (Titus 2:10) or undermine gospel; church reputation rises/falls on individual testimonies.

OT Echoes of Blasphemy: Isaiah 52:5 & Ezekiel 36:20—Israel's poor conduct caused nations to mock Yahweh's name; same principle here.

Isaiah 52:5 LSB

5b Yahweh declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

Key Cross-References:

Titus 2:9–10: Urge submission... to adorn God's doctrine. Contrast with blasphemy/slander.

Titus 2:9–10 LSB

9 Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not contradicting, 10 not pilfering, but demonstrating all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything.

Kuruvilla: Not “disparaged but doxologized”—turn potential slight into praise for God.

Ephesians 6:5–9: Obey with integrity... as to Christ; good rewarded eternally. Already familiar.

Colossians 3:22–25: Heartily as to Lord; no eyeservice; wrongdoers face consequences.

Evangelistic Hope: Godly submission can lead to salvation (1 Pet 3 paradigm); believing slaves prized for diligence (v. 2 hint).

Practical Counseling Steps: Frustrated/toxic boss?

Step 1: Heart Check – No Badmouthing, Start with Prayer. Don’t badmouth the boss to others (gossip/slander). No complaining to colleagues about boss decisions. Instead, pray daily for them and your attitude. Remember: You ultimately work for the Lord, not men (Col 3:23). Trials produce perseverance, character, hope (Rom 5:3-5). Ask God to help you see the boss through His eyes.

Step 2: Process Frustrations Biblically – Write, Reflect, Seek Wise Counsel. If stewing constantly in a disagreeable environment or “toxic work culture”:

Write down specific concerns (be honest but factual).

Reflect: What role does your own sinful flesh play? (Avoid “venting feelings” to people that ignores personal responsibility.)

Seek counsel from older, wiser believers (Gal 6), not just peers who may fuel negativity.

Use Scripture + resources to address each issue biblically.

Step 3: Take Appropriate Action – Direct, Not Passive. There’s no true “passive” option—ignoring internally while doing nothing externally still harms your heart.

Always start by addressing the problem person directly (Matt 18:15), not others about them.

Speak ethically about boundaries when opportunity arises (e.g., workload, respect).

Nothing wrong with pursuing another job if the Lord provides (1 Cor 7:21).

Be cautious with long-term commitments that limit God’s leading.

In severe cases (criminal/illegal), involve authorities or church leadership. Daniel was bold but respectful in drawing the line at defiling himself with king’s food.

Core Truth to Anchor It All - Submission is an act of worship, not weakness. It reflects Christ’s example (submitting to the cross) and protects the gospel witness.

Ending Story: Joseph under Potiphar (Gen 39:2-6) Egyptian master, pagan household—Joseph honored him fully (ran everything faithfully). Result? Potiphar noticed Yahweh’s blessing; gospel-like witness in foreign land. Even when falsely accused, honor protected God’s name.

Never Disrespect Your Christian Boss

Hook: For those of you with non-Christian bosses, this might seem surprising. Why would a Christian ever disrespect their Christian boss? I would give anything to have a Christian boss! And yet we can never plumb the depths of man’s sinful heart. Even blessings can be subverted.

1 Timothy 6:2 LSB

2a But those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers,

Text Breakdown – “Must Not Disrespect”: Greek mē kataphroneitōsan (think lightly, despise)—not just overt rebellion; includes carelessness, failing to give due honor (cf. 1 Tim 4:12: “let no one disrespect your youth”).

Core Warning – Presumption on Brotherhood: Do not exploit Christian bond to rebel or demand freedom (Philemon: Paul appeals as personal favor, not brotherhood entitlement). The deeper relationship is believer-to-believer, not slave-master—yet authority remains.

Cultural Temptation: Ancient comedies exaggerated “arrogant, back-talking slave” mocking masters—some truth; familiarity bred contempt, same risk today with believing bosses.

Positive Mindset Shift: Working under a believer tempts casual relating—stay on best behavior to protect witness. Shared faith isn’t laziness pass; go extra mile like for family (don’t skip prep/cut corners thinking “they’ll understand”). Obedience > personal fulfillment.

Disrespect wounds family, not just an authority figure.

Shared eternity (same Father, same inheritance) makes every slight a family feud, not workplace drama.

Dishonoring him = dishonoring Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:26).

Common Temptations to Disrespect:

“He’ll understand” (skip prep, coast) - Would you slack off in prep for your brother’s wedding?

“We’re equals in Christ” (back-talk, public pushback) - Equals at the cross, but not in roles.

“He’s wrong anyways” (gossip, eye-rolls) - Correct your brother privately, love publicly. Avoid gossip/slander, but share concerns privately with leader (shared foundation as beloved). Don’t undermine decisions publicly—cultivate trust through direct, respectful dialogue.

“Wish he was better” (showing off) - “I’m thankful you’re a believer, but I wish you were a better _____.” Perspective: you don’t know or see everything your boss does. Hopefully you are both applying diligence and creativity with perspective. Then you can lean on one another’s strengths; you were designed to complement each other in the body of Christ.

Four Steps to Kill Disrespect:

Pray for your boss when tempted, especially thanking the Lord for a believer

Remind yourself that as brothers, you should treat him better than a stranger

Offer to go the extra mile when you can, looking to help minimizes looking to hurt

When you speak to him in private, come prepared with solutions to make progress

MacArthur's 9 Habits to Serve Well:

Obediently – Dutiful and submissive response to orders (unless they violate God’s law).

Completely – Doing all that is asked, nothing half-hearted.

Respectfully – Honoring the authority God has delegated to the boss.

Eagerly – Voluntarily, without grudging; with “sincerity of heart.”

Excellently – Best of ability, “as to Christ.”

Diligently – Not faking effort when watched; “not by way of eye service.”

Humbly – Not showing off or seeking man’s approval; “not as men-pleasers.”

Spiritually – All work is sacred; done “for the glory of God,” “doing the will of God from the heart.”

Eschatologically – Knowing eternal rewards (or consequences) hang on performance: “From the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance… he who does wrong will receive the consequences… without partiality.”

“Which of these feels hardest under a Christian boss?”

Illustration: Moses & Miriam/Aaron (Num 12:1-15) Siblings (believing “co-workers”) disrespected Moses’ leadership (“Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?”). Leprosy struck—familiarity bred contempt; God defended His delegated authority.

Transition Tease: Disrespect avoided sets stage for third mandate—serve believing bosses even more diligently.

Serve Your Christian Boss with Greater Zeal

Hook (New Suggestion): Think shared faith means easier work? Paul flips it: Serve believing bosses all the more—with zeal that reverses roles and glorifies God.

1 Timothy 6:2 LSB

2 But those who have believers as their masters … must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Text Breakdown – “Serve All the More”: Imperative (serve even more)—intensified diligence for believers. Chrysostom: “Do not suppose... thou art a free man: since thy freedom is to serve the more faithfully” (Homilies on 1 Tim 16).

Reversal Motif – Slaves Benefit Masters: (partake/help, Lk 1:54; Ac 20:35) + (benefit/good deed, Ac 4:9)—parallelism shows servant eases master's life. Amazing flip: Slaves confer benefit on owners (historically benefit was exclusively a benefactor-to-beneficiary term). George Knight: “The slave... in the spiritual realm... is an equal, one who can also give.”

Motive – Love Over Duty/Greed: Service with smile for believers (not sabotage for unbelievers); rooted in love (Gal 5:13), not duty or gain—teases next section on false godliness-for-profit.

Jesus' Example – Greatest as Servant:

Luke 22:25–27 LSB

25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 “But not so with you; rather the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Equality in Christ, Hierarchy in Role:

Galatians 3:28—no slave/free in salvation

Philemon 15–16—Onesimus back as “beloved brother... both in flesh and Lord.” Brother doesn’t erase master—honor both

Beautiful when these align and you can talk theology and vision with boss. Shared worldview and perspective. Understand the nuances of relationships, personal responsibility, God’s glory. Your personal life finally makes sense (no more, “oh you only went to church this weekend?”).

Key Cross-References:

Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings...”

Proverbs 12:24: “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack... forced labor.”

Comparing the World to Worship

Working in secular world can feel like a pressure cooker. Aggressive agendas: quarterly targets, climbing ladders, measuring everything by numbers and busyness. Bureaucracy and burnout. Can seem like quantitative progress is better than real fruit. Goals? Feeling fulfilled, best you can be without God, making money hand over fist, unwind with soul-numbing pleasures.

Moral compass is off—immoral shortcuts, cutthroat competition, empty success. Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

Compare to Christian boss or ministry team: relaxed, grace-filled, no micromanaging. You might be tempted to think, “This just seems lazy!” And sometimes you might be right, sadly. But here Paul says we should serve all the more. Not a frantic pace, but deeper zeal. Our work should be for eternity and not just earnings. There should be more perspective here.

Practical “Above & Beyond” Steps: For those times you feel “lazy” in ministry.

Check Backlogs: Confirm priorities—even if no follow-up; manage tasks well (no excuses: distraction, fear, image).

Take Initiative: Look for unsolicited help; motto “Above & Beyond,” especially for believers (greater impact than unbelievers).

Build Relationships: Remember personal details (e.g., kid's game)—glorifies God; believers as beloved, unbelievers worthy of honor.

Invest Downtime: Brainstorm, learn (course/AI), help colleague, improve process—not X/Facebook. Be creative/useful!

Volunteer Ministries Tie-In: “I’m just a volunteer” tempts laziness/disrespect—but you serve God! Bring best effort (higher priority than paid work); counters greed—godliness isn’t for gain.

Illustration/Close: Daniel prayed 3x/day amid peak career (30+ years, 3 empires)—“slower” devotion fueled excellence. Ask: “What ‘above & beyond’ could you do for your believing boss this week?” Transition: Teach/exhort these things (4:11 pattern)—live them out!

Conclusion

Remember the world doesn’t understand Christianity. You may be called to endure suffering as a faithful witness to the glory of your God and the teaching of Anchor Bible Church. You may also be given an opportunity to serve a believing boss, and you should be careful not to screw up! Be careful that you do not disrespect your boss, believer or not, and that you go out of your way to serve.

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Pray.