Slaves and Masters, Diversity and Unity: Locating the Benefactor of 1 Timothy 6:1–2a

Bible translators and New Testament scholars vacillate in their attempts to locate the benefactor in view in 1 Timothy 6:1-2a. Some point to the “slaves as benefactors” while others suggest the language implies a “masters as benefactors” reading.

If we pick up ten different versions of the text, we find ten very different renderings of 1 Timothy 6:2a. Is one correct? Could they both be accurate? Is there a third view that might help us celebrate the diversity of views and bring a sense of unity to a confusing text? And how might we find it? To help us locate a reading that celebrates the diversity of interpretive views and yet brings unity to this text, we will look at the benefactor model in inscriptions along with literary evidence has surfaced that has been largely overlooked in New Testament scholarship, Ephesiaca by Xenophon of Ephesus.

When we examine 1 Timothy 6:1-2a alongside this evidence, an interpretive reading of the text emerges that actually celebrates the variety of views.

The paper presents socio-rhetorical research in three sections: (1) sketch the “slaves as benefactors” and “masters as benefactors” and renderings of 1 Timothy 6:1-2a, (2) share how Ephesiaca by Xenophon of Ephesus and inscription evidence contribute fresh insight to the scholarly conversation, and (3) offer a fresh reading that celebrates the diversity of these interpretive views and yet brings them together in unity.