Thomas Aquinas, on 1Tim 6:1

“Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed.”

“Above, the Apostle instructed Timothy on the use of foods and on the persons to whom the Church allows subsidies; here he treats of other persons who pertain to the Church: first, persons of low estate; second, persons of high estate, at charge the rich of this world. In regard to the first he does three things: first, he informs him about servants; second, he speaks against the contrary opinion, at if any man teach otherwise; third, he warns him to avoid the contrary doctrine and to follow his, at but you, O man of God. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows him what doctrine he should hold; second, he tells him to teach it, at these things teach. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows how servants should act toward unbelieving masters; second, how they should act toward believing masters, at but those who have. He says, therefore: whoever are servants under the yoke, i.e., in the servile state, which is called a yoke figuratively; because as oxen are restrained under a yoke from going wherever they like, so servants under their masters are kept from doing as they wish: be not held again under the yoke of bondage (Gal 5:1). Let them count their masters worthy of all honor, i.e., of proper respect: servants, be obedient to them who are your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in the simplicity of your heart as to Christ (Eph 6:5). Why? Lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed; for if unbelieving masters were to believe their servants rebellious for knowing the faith, they would condemn Christ's name and blaspheme his doctrine: for the name of Christ through you is blasphemed among the gentiles (Rom 2:24). Therefore, those with unbelieving masters must obey them, lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.