This section has two verses:
Titus 2:9-10
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own
masters, and to please them well in all things; not
answering again;
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity;
that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things.
We will begin with the Barclay commentary.
THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
6. THE CHRISTIAN WORKER
Titus 2:9–10 ...paraphrased
Impress upon slaves the duty of obeying their own
masters. Urge them to seek to give satisfaction in
every task, not to answer back, not to pilfer
[steal], but to display all fidelity [loyalty]
with hearty goodwill, that they may in all things
adorn the teaching which God our Saviour gave to
them.
In the early Church, the problem for Christian
workers was acute. It was one which could operate in
two directions.
If the master was not a Christian, the
responsibility laid upon servants was heavy indeed,
for it was perhaps only through their conduct that
the master could ever come to see what Christianity
was. It was the task of the workers to show the
master what a Christian could be; and that
responsibility still lies upon Christian employees.
A large number of people never willingly darken a
church door, a minister of the church seldom gets a
chance to speak to them. How then is Christianity
ever to make contact with them? The only possible
way is for colleagues at work to show them what
Christianity is. There is a famous story of Francis.
One day, he said to one of the young monks: ‘Let us
go down to the village and preach to the people.’ So
they went. Every so often, they stopped to talk to
someone. They begged something to eat at one house.
Francis stopped to play with the children, and
exchanged a greeting with the passers-by. Then they
turned to go home. ‘But Father,’ said the novice,
‘when do we preach?’ ‘Preach?’ smiled Francis.
‘Every step we took, every word we spoke, every
action we did, has been a sermon.’
There was another side to the problem. If the master
was a Christian, a new temptation came into the
lives of Christian workers. They might attempt to
trade on the master’s Christianity. They might think
that, because they were Christians, special
allowances would be made for them. They might expect
to ‘get away’ with things because they and the
master were members of the same church. It is
perfectly possible for people to trade on their
Christianity – and there is no worse advertisement
for it than the person who does that.
Paul lists the qualities of Christian workers.
They are obedient. Christians are never above taking
orders. Their Christianity teaches them how to
serve. They are efficient. They are determined to
give satisfaction. Christian workers can never put
less than their best into any task that is given
them to do. They are respectful. They do not think
that their Christianity gives them a special right
to be undisciplined. Christianity does not
obliterate the necessary lines of authority in the
world of industry and of commerce. They are honest.
Others may stoop to the petty dishonesties of which
the world is full; but their hands are clean. They
are faithful. The master can rely upon their
loyalty.
It may well be that those who take their
Christianity to work will run into trouble; but, if
they stick to it, they will end by winning
everyone’s respect.
The missionary E. F. Brown tells of a thing which
happened in India. ‘A Christian servant in India was
once sent by his master with a verbal message which
he knew to be untrue. He refused to deliver it.
Though his master was very angry at the time, he
respected the servant all the more afterwards and
knew that he could always trust him in his own
matters.’
The truth is that in the end the world comes to see
that the Christian worker is the one most worth
having. In one sense, it is hard to be a Christian
at our work; in another sense, it is easier than we
think, for there is not an employer under the sun
who is not desperately looking for employees whose
loyalty and efficiency can be relied upon.
~Barclay Commentary
Now to the other commentaries beginning with the
general and going to the specific.
Let us begin with the Matthew Henry Main
commentary. The commentary covers verses 1-10 in one
long text. We will break in where it begins speaking
of verse 10.
[4.] Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity.
This is another great essential of good servants, to
be honest, never converting that to their own use
which is their master's, nor wasting the goods they
are entrusted with; that is, purloining. They must
be just and true, and do for their masters as they
would or should for themselves. Proverbs 28:24,
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith,
It is no transgression, the same is the companion of
a destroyer; he will be ready to join with him.
Thus, having such light thoughts of taking beyond
what is right, though it be from a parent or master,
is likely to harden conscience to go further; it is
both wicked in itself, and it tends to more. Be it
so that the master is hard and strait, scarcely
making sufficient provision for servants; yet they
must not be their own carvers, nor go about by theft
to right themselves; they must bear their lot,
committing their cause to God for righting and
providing for them. I speak not of cases of
extremity, for preserving life, the necessaries for
which the servant has a right to. Not purloining,
but showing all good fidelity; he must not only not
steal nor waste, but must improve his master's
goods, and promote his prosperity and thriving, to
his utmost. He that increased not his master's
talent is accused of unfaithfulness, though he had
not embezzled nor lost it. Faithfulness in a servant
lies in the ready, punctual, and thorough execution
of his master's orders; keeping his secrets and
counsels, dispatching his affairs, and managing with
frugality, and to as much just advantage for his
master as he is able; looking well to his trusts,
and preventing, as far as he can, all spoil, or
loss, or damage. This is a way to bring a blessing
upon himself, as the contrary often brings utter
ruin. If you have not been faithful in that which is
another man's, who shall give you that which is your
own? Luke 16:12. Thus of the duties themselves, to
which servants are to be exhorted.
(2.) Here is the consideration with which Titus was
to enforce them: That they may adorn the doctrine of
God our Saviour in all things; that is, that they
may recommend the gospel and Christ's holy religion
to the good opinion of those that are without, by
their meek, humble, obedient, and faithful conduct
in all things. Even servants, though they may think
that such as they, in so low and inferior a
condition, can do little to bring repute to
Christianity, or adorn the doctrine of Christ, and
set forth the excellences of his truth and ways,
yet, if they be careful to do their duty, it will
redound [have good effect] to the glory of
God and the credit of religion. The unbelieving
masters would think the better of that despised way,
which was everywhere spoken against, when they found
that those of their servants who were Christians
were better than their other servants - more
obedient and submissive, more just and faithful, and
more diligent in their places. True religion is an
honour to the professors of it; and they should see
that they do not any dishonour to it, but adorn it
rather in all that they are able. Our light must
shine among men, so that they, seeing our good
works, may glorify our Father who is in heaven. And
thus, of the apostle's directions to Titus, about
the discharge of his office, in reference to several
sorts of persons. ~Matthew Henry Main
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise.
This commentary covers verses 1-10.
Old disciples of Christ must behave in everything
agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged
men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature
will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from
nearer communion with God, not from any undue
indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in
love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake.
Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful;
therefore, need to be on their guard. Though there
is not express Scripture for every word, or look,
yet there are general rules, according to which all
must be ordered. Young women must be sober and
discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal
temptations by what at first might be only want of
discretion. The reason is added, that the word of
God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties
greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to
be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be
earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are
more young people ruined by pride than by any other
sin. Every godly man's endeavor must be to stop the
mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience
answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for
a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open
itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to
speak of! ~Matthew Henry
Concise.
Now some things from the Biblical Illustrator
Not purloining
Honesty in little things
I. The nature of the sin against which the text
warns us. Stealing is a term applicable to the
conduct of a man who goes to the house, or the farm,
or the shop of another, and takes away his goods or
other property. We turn an act of theft into one of
purloining when a servant helps himself, without an
understood allowance from his master or mistress, to
that which is under his care, or to which he has
access; or when a workman pockets, for his own use,
what he thinks he may bear away without detection;
or when a labourer carries away from his master’s
farm something to add to his own little stock, or to
maintain his own family. To steal is to take what is
not our own. To purloin is to take what is not our
own too; but it is something we had in trust, or to
which we had access. If purloining be practiced on a
large scale, it changes its name and becomes
embezzlement.
II. The exceeding sinfulness of this sin. There are
many excuses which are brought forward in
extenuation of this offence.
1. The change of its name. There is a wonderful
imposition in words; and many purloiners quiet their
consciences by changing the name. Because it is not
commonly called stealing, they think it does not
involve the guilt of stealing.
2. Another plea is, that however great the amount
may be in the course of months or years, you are
pleased to make the depredations small in detail. It
is a petty affair of every day, and so very little
as not to be worth thinking about. It does not say,
“Thou shalt not steal much!” but, “Thou shalt not
steal!”
3. The next plea is, that the master is rich and
will not miss it, and so it will do no harm. This
law does not merely forbid them to steal from the
poor, leaving them at liberty to steal from the
rich.
III. The motives which enforce the opposite conduct.
The servants whom Titus was to exhort were those of
his own congregation. They formed a Christian
community; and however the title may be applied now,
it was then given to these who had renounced
Paganism. The admonition was to men who had embraced
not only the profession of faith, but the faith
itself. It is right that, for every kind of
unrighteousness, men should be reproved; for “the
wrath of God is revealed,” etc. The more they are
burdened with a sense of sin, the more will they
feel the importance of repentance. ~Biblical
Illustrator
Fidelity in a servant
Selim, a poor Turk, had been brought up from his
youth with care and kindness by his master,
Mustapha. When the latter lay at the point of death,
Selim was tempted by his fellow servants to join
them in stealing a part of Mustapha’s treasures.
“No,” said he, “Selim is no robber. I fear not to
offend my master for the evil he can do me now, but
for the good he has done me all my life long.”
~Biblical Illustrator
That they may
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
Servants adorning the gospel
I. The doctrine of the gospel: the doctrine of the
gospel is called the doctrine of Christ.
1. Because He is the argument and subject of it.
2. Because He is the first and chief messenger and
publisher of it.
3. Whosoever have been the teachers and publishers
of this doctrine from the beginning, either by word
or writing (not excepting prophets or apostles
themselves) or shall be unto the end. They all do it
by commandment from Him, yea, Himself preacheth in
them and in us.
4. As it proceedeth from Him so it tendeth wholly
unto Him, and leadeth believers to see and partake
both of His grace and glory shining in the same.
II. Christ is called God our Saviour.
1. To prove His own deity, not only in express terms
being called God, but also by the epithet [word
or phrase applied to a person] agreeing only to
a Divine nature, our Saviour.
2. To imply our own misery, whose infinite
wretchedness only God could remove, and whose
infinite good none but God could restore.
3. And especially in regard of this doctrine.
(1) To confirm the divinity of the same, it being a
doctrine of God and a doctrine of salvation
proceeding from our Saviour.
(2) To enforce the duty towards it, namely, that
seeing the author of it is God, the matter Divine,
the effect salvation, meet it is that such a saving
doctrine a doctrine of such tidings, should be
beautified and adorned.
III. This doctrine is adorned when it is made
beautiful and lovely unto men, and this by two
things in the professors of it.
1. By an honest and unblamable conversation, for
carnal men commonly esteem of the doctrine by the
life, and the profession by the practice of the
professor.
2. By God’s blessing which is promised and is
attending such walking, whereby even strangers to
the Church are forced to begin to like of the
profession: for God’s blessing upon His people is
not only profitable to themselves, but turneth to
the salvation of many others.
IV. Servants adorn the gospel, when professing it,
they, by performing all faithful service to their
masters in and for God, seek and obtain the blessing
of God in the condition of life wherein He hath
placed them. ~Biblical Illustrator
The duty of advancing the Christian religion
I. The explanation of the terms used.
1. By “the doctrine of God our Saviour” the apostle
means the Christian religion, or that institution of
faith and manners which Jesus taught and published
when here on earth.
2. To “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour” is to
advance the credit and reputation of Christian
religion in the world. It is so to govern and demean
ourselves that we may reconcile its enemies to a
good opinion of it; that we may procure and even
force regard and veneration towards it.
3. By the “they” in the text, the persons upon whom
this duty is incumbent, we may fairly understand the
whole body of Christians.
II. The nature, acts, and exercises of duty. How a
man may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
1. As it is a rule of faith, or an institution of
religion, which we believe and own as of Divine
authority. By manifesting, beyond any reasonable
exception, that we unfeignedly assent unto it, that
we firmly believe it to be, what we pretend, of
Divine original. And this will be evident to all
(1) If our faith be perfect and entire. If we
receive our religion as it is in itself, in all its
parts, in every article, and in their plainest
sense.
(2) If we are steady, firm, and constant in the
profession of it.
(3) If we express an affection, a prudent zeal in
the profession of it.
2. As it is a rule of life and manners. To this
purpose it is absolutely necessary
(1) That our obedience be entire and universal.
(2) That our obedience be free and cheerful,
(3) If in cases doubtful we determine our practice
on the side of the law, and of our duty.
(4) By an eminent practice of some particular
virtues, as of mercy and charity. Wherever these are
expressed to the life—habitually, bountifully,
freely—all that observe it will esteem the religion
from whence such a spirit flows.
III. The reasons which oblige us, and the
encouragements which may persuade us, to the
practice of it.
1. To adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour by such
a faith and practice as I have now described is the
most infallible assurance, both to ourselves and
others, that our principle is sincere and perfect.
2. To live such a life as shall cause our religion
to be esteemed and honoured in the world, is the
greatest blessing, as well to ourselves as to
others, that we can either imagine or desire.
3. Another encouragement to such a profession and
practice of our religion as shall adorn it are the
particular promises which are made to those who
shall attain unto it.
4. The particular peace and satisfaction which will
arise from such a faith and life. ~Biblical
Illustrator
So:
1] Do not steal.
2] Do not use anything without authority or
permission.
3] Adorn the doctrine and gospel of God.
4] Do good works.
5] Be a light in everything you do.
6] Invoke assiduity.
7] Be a good servant.
These are the lessons of verse 10
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