Topical Bible: Servants: Duties of, to Masters: To Please Them Well in all Things

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In the biblical context, the relationship between servants and masters is addressed with specific instructions that emphasize the importance of obedience, respect, and sincerity. The duties of servants to their masters are outlined in several passages, reflecting a broader principle of submission to authority as ordained by God.

Biblical Instructions:

1. Obedience and Respect:
Servants are instructed to obey their earthly masters with respect and sincerity, as if serving Christ Himself. This principle is clearly articulated in Ephesians 6:5-6 : "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart."

2. Pleasing in All Things:
The duty to please masters in all things is emphasized in Titus 2:9 : "Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative." This instruction highlights the importance of a positive attitude and a willingness to fulfill duties without complaint or resistance.

3. Sincerity and Integrity:
Colossians 3:22 further reinforces the call for sincerity and integrity: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." This passage underscores the idea that service should be rendered with genuine intent and a focus on honoring God.

4. Service as Unto the Lord:
The overarching theme in these instructions is that service to earthly masters is ultimately service to the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 states: "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Theological Implications:

The biblical directives for servants to please their masters in all things reflect a broader theological understanding of authority and submission. These instructions are not merely about maintaining social order but are deeply rooted in the Christian call to live a life that honors God in every aspect. The relationship between servants and masters is seen as a reflection of the believer's relationship with Christ, where obedience and service are acts of worship and devotion.

Practical Application:

In a contemporary context, these principles can be applied to employer-employee relationships, where employees are encouraged to work diligently and with integrity, viewing their work as service to God. The call to please one's employer in all things, while maintaining a sincere and respectful attitude, remains relevant as a testament to Christian character and witness in the workplace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 2:9
Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"But the End of all Things is at Hand, be Ye Therefore Sober and ...
... I: An exhortation to some special duties, which are so ... Are ye not servants unto it,
when your condition ... God and mammon," (Matthew 6:24) these two masters. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx but the end.htm

The Domestic Relation.
... Duties Of Masters To Servants. ... They should seek to please their masters: "Exhort
servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xiii the domestic relation.htm

Of the First Covenant Made with Man
... and obedience as the centurion his servants"saying to ... the violence of unruly subjects
usurping over their masters. ... to please God, in such duties of holiness ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxi of the first.htm

Having used these means to procure them
... themselves, or those that are under such masters as will ... fervency will not hold out
long in duties of this ... to the awakening of many of his servants to their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 2 2.htm

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... Ver.9. "And ye masters," he continues, "do the same ... wife, the wife over the servants,
the servants again over ... For as he had enjoined many duties, which were ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

Love Thy Neighbour
... No, he just as frequently spoke upon the duties of human life, and ... Treat your masters
well. ... and bad enough, but as a class they know good servants, and they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/love thy neighbour.htm

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
... and yet have a care that the servants do right ... duty of subjects, considerateness
that of masters, that they ... his position, and attended to its duties alone, how ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

Going Home --A Christmas Sermon
... It does not free me from my duties as a son; it ... If any of you are masters you will
pardon me for the ... I most respectfully beg you to pay your servants the same ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/going homea christmas sermon.htm

Christ is All
... The duties are mutual. ... 22. Servants, obey in all things your masters according
to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/christ is all.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... I am next to speak of the duties of the ... Thus should masters carry themselves prudently
and piously, that they may gain honour from their servants, and may ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm