Instructions for Subordinates
Titus 2:9,10 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
One of the virtues of the Christian life is that of submission to legitimate authority. It's take humility to play a subordinate role. And few embrace such a concept today where freedom takes precedence over all other things. But this is another area where Christians can stand out from the world.
1Peter 2:18,19 "Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God." Employers today have a smaller realm of authority than masters of the slaves Paul speaks of. But nonetheless, employees need to be respectful and honest in their work, not stealing from them, but doing what they are payed for. In the end, their bosses should feel they can trust Christian employees.
By the way, notice the pattern of verses 3-10
Titus 2:9,10 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
One of the virtues of the Christian life is that of submission to legitimate authority. It's take humility to play a subordinate role. And few embrace such a concept today where freedom takes precedence over all other things. But this is another area where Christians can stand out from the world.
1Peter 2:18,19 "Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God." Employers today have a smaller realm of authority than masters of the slaves Paul speaks of. But nonetheless, employees need to be respectful and honest in their work, not stealing from them, but doing what they are payed for. In the end, their bosses should feel they can trust Christian employees.
By the way, notice the pattern of verses 3-10
- Older Women behave well, "so that no one will malign the word of God"
- Titus teach soundly, "so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
- Slaves submit, "so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."
