Titus 2:9

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; SERVANTS - `slaves.' TO PLEASE THEM WELL - to be complaisant in everything: to have that zealous desire to gain the master's good-will which anticipates the master's wish, and does even more than is required. The reason for the frequent injunctions to slaves to subjection (Ephesians 6:5, etc.; Colossians 3:22; 1 Timothy 6:1, etc.; 1 Peter 2:18) was, that in no rank was there more danger of the spiritual equality and freedom of Christians being misunder...

9._Servants, that they be subject to their masters _It has been already said that Paul merely glances at some things by way of example, and does not explain the whole of these subjects, as if he undertook, expressly, to handle them. Accordingly, when he enjoins servants _to please their masters in all things, _this desire of pleasing must be limited to those things which are proper; as is evident from other passages of a similar nature, in which an exception is expressly added, to the effect that nothing should be done but according to the will of God. It may be observed that the Apostle dwells chiefly on this point, that they who are under the authority of others shall be obedient and submissive. With good reason he does this, for nothing is more contrary to the natural disposition of man than subjection, and there was danger lest they should take the gospel as a pretext for becoming mo...

9,10 Servants must know and do their duty to their earthly masters, with a reference to their heavenly one. In serving an earthly master according to Christ's will, He is served; such shall be rewarded by him. Not giving disrespectful or provoking language; but to take a check or reproof with silence, not making confident or bold replies. When conscious of a fault, to excuse or justify it, doubles it. Never putting to their own use that which is their master's, nor wasting the goods they are trusted with. Showing all good fidelity to improve a master's goods, and promote his thriving. If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? Luke 16:12. True religion is an honour to the professors of it; and they should adorn it in all things....

Verse 9. EXHORT _SERVANTS TO BE OBEDIENT_] The apostle refers to those who were _slaves_, and the _property_ of their masters; even these are exhorted to be obedient ιδιοις δεσποταις, _to their own_ _despots_, though they had no right over them on the ground of _natural justice_. _PLEASE_ THEM _WELL IN ALL_ THINGS] They were to endeavour to do this in all things, though they could not hope to succeed in every thing. _NOT ANSWERING AGAIN_] μη αντιλεγοντας. _Not contradicting_ or _gainsaying_. This is no part of a servant's duty; a servant is hired to do his master's work, and this his master has a right to appoint....

EXHORT SERVANTS TO BE OBEDIENT TO THEIR OWN MASTERS - See this explained in the notes at Ephesians 6:5, following, and 1 Timothy 6:1. AND TO PLEASE THEM WELL IN ALL THINGS - That is, so far as they lawfully may, or in those things which are not contrary to the will of God; compare Ephesians 6:6. It should be an object with one who is a servant, to meet the approbation of his master, as long as this relation continues. This rule would not, however, go to the extent to require him to please his master in doing anything that is contrary to the law of God, or that is morally wrong. NOT ANSWERING AGAIN - Margi

EXPOSITION TITUS 2:1 _Befit _for _become, _A.V.; _the sound _for _sound, _A.V. BUT SPEAK THOU, etc. The apostle now brings out, in full couldst with the vain talk of the heretical teachers, the solid, sober teaching of a true man of God, in harmony with the sound doctrine of the gospel of Christ. THE SOUND DOCTRINE (τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλία); as in 1 Timothy 1:10 (where see note). In 1 Timothy 6:1 ἡ διδασκαλία by itself means "the Christian faith," "the doctrine of the gospel." The varying phrases, ἡ καλὴ διδασκαλία, ἡ κατ εὐσεβείαν διδασκαλία_, _and ἡ ὑγιαινοῦσα διδασκαλία_, _all mean the same t

[EXHORT] SERVANTS TO BE OBEDIENT TO THEIR OWN MASTERS,.... And not others, whether they be believers, or unbelievers, gentle or froward, all their lawful commands ought to be obeyed; Ephesians 6:5 and to please [them] well in all things; not only to obey and serve them, and do what they order, but to seek and endeavour to do it in such a way as may be grateful, acceptable, and well pleasing to them, whereby an interest in their affection, esteem, and commendation, may be gained: and this should be done always, and in all things, that are not contrary to a good conscience and to the Christian religion, and to the laws of God and nature. Or "that they may be well pleased in all things"; that is, be satisfied and contented with such things as they have, and in their state and condition as servants, and cheerfully abide in the calling wherein they are called: not answering again

Titus 2:1. _But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:_ There are certain things which are suitable to go with sound doctrine; they are meet and fit and appropriate thereto. Titus 2:2. _That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience._ Among the heathen, old men often gave themselves up to drunkenness and gluttony; so now, this is the teaching that is to be given to aged Christian men. They need faith, love, and patience, as well as the virtues of sobriety, gravity, and temperance. The infirmities of old age often create petulance, so the grace of God is to make the venerable Christian to be full of faith, love, and patience. Titus 2:3. Th

II. THINGS WHICH BECOME SOUND DOCTRINE CHAPTER 2 _ 1. Adorning the doctrine of our Saviour-God (Titus 2:1)_ 2. The grace of God and its work (Titus 2:11) Titus 2:1 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” The sound doctrine or healthful teaching must be accompanied and witnessed to by the right condition of soul, a godly character. The doctrine of God our Saviour must be adorned in all things. Aged men are exhorted to be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love and in patience. Sound doctrine must of necessity produce such a character. Aged women are to be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers ...

TEACHING ON CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOUR. (_a) Titus 2:1_. DUTY OF DIFFERENT CLASSES. In contrast with the errorists-' irrefevances, Titus must continually inculcate right conduct. This is defined for (_a)_ old men, (_b)_ old women, (_c_) young women, (_d)_ younger men, (_e_) slaves. The strongest argument for truth is the moral life it produces, even in a slave (Titus 2:10; contrast Titus 2:5; Titus 1:16). This fact Titus himself must remember TITUS 2:3. REVERENT: better, reverend (_cf._...