1 Timothy 6:2

“And they that have believing masters, etc.] That believe in one God, in opposition to the Gentiles, that held many gods, and in Jesus Christ, in distinction from the Jews; who believed in him with the heart, and professed him with their mouths, and held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. What is said before, is said to servants that had unbelieving masters; who would be ready to blaspheme, should they act amiss. Servants were under a snare both ways, through the insinuations of false teachers; who suggested, that their servitude was not consistent with their Christian liberty; that they ought not to serve wicked men, because being called of God, they were advanced above them; nor…”

“And--rather, "But." The opposition is between those Christian slaves under the yoke of heathen, and those that have believing masters (he does not use the phrase "under the yoke" in the latter case, for service under believers is not a yoke). Connect the following words thus, "Let them (the slaves) not, because they (the masters) are brethren (and so equals, masters and slaves alike being Christians), despise them (the masters)." but rather, &c.--"but all the more (so much the more: with the greater good will) do them service because they (the masters) are faithful (that is, believers) and beloved who receive (in the mutual interchange of relative duties between master and servant; so the…”

“And they that have believing masters - Masters who are Christians. It is clear from this, that Paul supposed that, at that time, and under those circumstances, a man might become a Christian who had slaves under him. How long he might continue to hold his fellow-men in bondage, and yet be a Christian, is, however, quite a different question. It is quite clear, from the New Testament, as well as from facts now, that God may convert people when pursuing any kind of wickedness. The effect of religion, however, in all cases, will be to lead them to cease to do wrong. It is by no means improbable that many of those who had owned slaves, in accordance with the prevailing custom in the Roman…”

“Let them not despise them - Pay them the less honour or obedience. Because they are brethren - And in that respect on a level with them. They that live in a religious community know the danger of this; and that greater grace is requisite to bear with the faults of a brother, than of an infidel, or man of the world. But rather do them service - Serve them so much the more diligently. Because they are joint partakers of the great benefit - Salvation. These things - Paul, the aged, gives young Timotheus a charge to dwell upon practical holiness. Less experienced teachers are apt to neglect the superstructure, whilst they lay the foundation; but of so great importance did St. Paul see it to…”

“6:2b-21 The last major section of the letter returns to the need for Timothy to confront the false teachers. The whole section has a similar structure to 1:3-20. 6:2b-10 This paragraph exposes the false teachers’ desire to become wealthy.”

“believing: Col 4:1; Plm 1:10-16 let: Gen 16:4, Gen 16:5; Num 16:3; Mat 6:24; Pe2 2:10; Jde 1:8 because they are brethren: Ti1 5:1; Mat 23:8, Mat 25:40; Rom 8:29; Gal 3:26-29; Col 3:11 because they are: Gal 5:6; Eph 1:1, Eph 1:15; Col 1:2, Col 1:4, Col 3:12; Th2 1:3; Plm 1:5-7 faithful: or, believing partakers: Joe 2:28; Rom 11:17; Eph 3:6; Heb 3:1, Heb 3:14; Pe1 5:1 These: Ti1 4:11; Tit 2:1, Tit 2:15, Tit 3:8 1 Timothy 6:3”