In what seems to be an odd shift to modern readers, Paul moves from instructions for the genders and moves on to slaves. And even though such slavery isn’t culturally applicable to our lives any longer, the principles are still very applicable.

See what Paul has to say in Titus 2:9-10:

Paul’s instructions concerning a slave’s attitude is definitely difficult to comprehend today. Even though there are still portions of the world where slavery is very much in practice, we don’t see it much in western civilization. Titus is told to address slaves and teach them how to act.

This may be in response to the slaves’ response to their freedom in Christ. Once they experienced that freedom, these Cretan slaves may have been rebellious towards their masters. Paul gives several instructions to Titus to pass on to the slaves in the community.

Paul gives five different commands concerning slaves in this passage.

Be subject to their masters

This is to be a voluntary decision on the part of the slave. This is to be a behavior prompted by the change in lifestyle as a result of being a Christian, and is to be a very submissive action. For us today, the principle applies: we are called to serve, no matter what our station in life. As believers, we should be willing to obey those in authority over us.

Try to please them

A slave’s actions and attitude should be pleasing to both their master and to God. His attitude should not be one of begrudging service, but should display eagerness to serve, and to be pleasing to their master. Again, this applies to us as well. We should be eager to serve, and keep a good attitude while doing so, in order to please God and others.

Not to talk back to them

This phrase conveys the idea of being argumentative or contradictory. In order to be pleasing, the slave cannot talk back to the master. Appropriate behavior towards the master would also advance the cause of the slave’s true Master: Christ. Seeing how the slave responds to the master presents a life of integrity to those who see. We should strive to do the same, whether in an employee/employer relationship, or a parent/child relationship, or any other.

Not to steal from them

A common fault of slaves was to pilfer or embezzle from their masters. This is the misappropriation of resources for personal benefit, and without the authority of the master. This is the same thing that happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. In the Septuagint, this is the word used of Achan in Joshua 7:1. Today, we are often presented with the opportunity to do this very act as well. We must guard against the temptation, just as the slave was.

Show that they can be fully trusted

This is paired with the previous instruction against stealing, and in fact, can be connected with all of the above. As the slave serves his master, he is to show that he is trustworthy, that the master can fully trust the slave. This was illustrated in a different time and culture by Joseph when he was a slave in Egypt. His master trusted him implicitly, and Titus is to teach this same principle to the slaves on Crete. Once again, this applies perfectly to our situation, too. In all that we do, we should strive to show ourselves as trustworthy.

Finally, Paul gives Titus the reason for such instructions. The slaves and their behavior will be an example to all who are watching, and will point to Christ. As people see how they lived their lives, regardless of their situation, they would make faith and Christianity attractive.

We should strive for the same goal. In all that we do, we should live lives that point to Christ, and make the Gospel attractive.

Question: Do you live by these principles? Which ones do you need to work on? You can leave a comment by clicking here.