1Ti 6:2-5 | NETfull | STEP | But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. Teach them and exhort them about these things.

1 Timothy 6:2-5

2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect ^{▼▼ Or “think the less of them”; Grk “despise them,” “look down on them.”} because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. ^{▼▼ Or “those who devote themselves to service are faithful and dearly loved” (referring to slaves who serve them).}

Summary of Timothy’s Duties

Teach them and exhort them about these things. ^{▼▼ Grk “these things teach and exhort.”} 3 If someone spreads false teachings ^{▼▼ Grk “teaches other doctrines,” (different from apostolic teaching, cf. 1 Tim 1:3).} and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness ^{▼▼ Although most witnesses, including some early versions and fathers (D² Ψ Maj. sy Cyp Lcf Ambst), have ἀφίστασο ἀπὸ τῶν τοιούτων (afistaso apo’ tōn toioutōn, “stay away from such things!”) after εὐσεβείαν (eusebeian, “godliness”; thus, “who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit; stay away from such things!”), there seems to be little good reason for this clause’s omission in some of the oldest and best witnesses (א A D* F G 048 6 33 81 1175 1739 1881 lat co). It is likely that it crept into the text early, perhaps as a marginal comment, but it should not be considered authentic in light of the strong external evidence against it.} is a way of making a profit.