Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.
count their own masters worthy of all honour: The unbeliever’s rank as master calls for proper esteem because of his position in society. The liberty one has in Christ does not give him the freedom to be less diligent or less faithful in service to a master. The master-servant relationship was a dominant factor in the social order of that day. The teachings and actions of the converted would have a massive impact on the social structure and the reputation of the Christian faith. Paul, therefore, spoke frequently and specifically about the master-servant relationship. (See 1 Corinthians 7:21-24; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-24; Titus 2:9-10; 1 Peter 2:18-19.)