Titus 2:9-10 Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;… I. The first and proper duty of every servant is SUBJECTION, or a stooping under the authority of his master. This consists — 1. In an inward reverencing in heart the image of God in His superiority. This reverent subjection of the heart the Lord in His own example requireth in all His servants, "If I be a master, where is My fear?" (Malachi 1:6), and is the first duty of that commandment, "Honour thy father and mother." The apostle (Ephesians 6:5) calleth for fear and trembling from servants toward their masters. 2. In the outward testimony of this inward reverence, both in speech and gesture before his master, and behind his back; but especially in the free obedience of all his lawful, yea, and unequal commandments, so as they be not unlawful (Colossians 3:22). 3. In patient enduring without resistance, rebukes and corrections, although bitter, yea, and unjust (1 Peter 2:18, 19). II. The second virtue required of servants towards their masters is, that they PLEASE THEM IN ALL THINGS. How will this precept stand with that in Ephesians 6:6, where servants are forbidden to be men pleasers? To serve only as men pleasers, as having the eye cast only on man is hypocrisy, and the sin of many servants, pleasing man for man's sake, and that is condemned by our apostle; but to please men in God and for God is a duty in servants next unto the first; who, to show themselves well pleasing to their masters, must carry in their hearts and endeavour a care to be accepted of them, even in the things which, for the indignity and burdensomeness of them, are much against their own minds. For this is the privilege of a master to have his servant devoted unto his pleasure and will, for the attempting of any business, the continuance in it, and the unbending of him from it; and when the servant hath done all he can, it was but debt and duty, and no thanks are due to him from his master (Matthew 8:9). But wherein must I please my master or mistress? In all things, that is, in all outward things which are in different and lawful. I say in outward things, so Ephesians 6:5, servants obey your masters according to the flesh; wherein the apostle implieth two things. 1. That the masters are according and over the flesh and outward man; not over the spirit and inward man, over which we have all one Master in heaven. 2. That accordingly they are to obey in outward things, for if the dominion of the one be bounded so also must needs be the subjection of the other. Again, these outward things must be lawful or indifferent; for they must not obey against the Lord, but in the Lord. III. Servants are in the third place PROHIBITED CROSSLY AND STUBBORNLY TO REASON, AND DISPUTE MATTERS WITH THEIR MASTERS; but in silence and subjection to sit down with the worse, even when they suffer wrong; for as they are to carry a reverent esteem of them in their hearts so must they bewray reverence, love, and lowliness in all their words and gestures; neither are they here coped from all manner of speech, for when just occasion of speech is offered, as by questions asked, they must make respective answers and not in sullenness say nothing, for Solomon condemneth it as a vice and great sin in servants, when they understand, not to answer (Proverbs 29:19). IV. "NOT PURLOINING." By the former, servants were taught to bridle their tongues; by this precept, their hands. The word properly noteth the setting somewhat apart to one's private use, which is not his, and is used (Acts 5:6). Ananias kept away and craftily conveyed to his private use that which should have gone another way. So that servants are forbidden to pilfer the least part of their master's goods to dispose to their own or other's use without the acquaintance of their masters. And herein, under this principle, all manner of unfaithfulness is inclusively condemned, as the opposition in the next words showeth. V. "BUT SHOWING ALL GOOD FIDELITY." 1. In his master's commands, readily and diligently to perform them of conscience, and not for eye service, but whether his master's eye be upon him or no. Wherein Abraham's servant giveth a notable precedent. 2. In his counsels and secrets, never disclosing any of his infirmities or weaknesses, but by all lawful and good means covering and biding them. Contrary hereunto is that wickedness of many servants, who may, indeed, rather be accounted so many spies in the house, whose common practice is, where they may be heard, to blaze abroad whatsoever may tend to their master or mistress's reproach, having at once cast off both the religious fear of God, as also the reverent respect of God's image in the persons of their superiors. 3. In his messages abroad, both in the speedy execution and dispatch of them, as also in his expenses about them; husbanding his master's money, cutting off idle charges, and bringing home a just account; hereby acknowledging that the eye of his own conscience watcheth him when his master's eye cannot. 4. Unto his master's wife, children, servants, wisely with Joseph distinguishing the things which are committed unto him from them that are excepted. 5. Lastly, in all his actions and carriage, so also in every word, shunning all lying, dissembling, untruths, whether for his master's, his own, or other men's advantage; in the practice of which duties he becometh faithful in all his master's house. (T. Taylor, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; |
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