9 bondmen to be subject to their own masters, to make themselves acceptable in everything; not gainsaying;
Bondmen, obey masters according to flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as to the Christ; not with eye-service as men-pleasers; but as bondmen of Christ, doing the will of God from [the] soul, serving with good will as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatever good each shall do, this he shall receive of [the] Lord, whether bond or free.
Bondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatsoever ye do, labour at it heartily, as [doing it] to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that of [the] Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; ye serve the Lord Christ. For he that does a wrong shall receive the wrong he has done, and there is no respect of persons.
Let as many bondmen as are under yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them] because they are brethren; but let them the rather serve them with subjection, because they are faithful and beloved, who profit by the good and ready service [rendered]. These things teach and exhort.
Servants, [be] subject with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the ill-tempered. For this [is] acceptable, if one, for conscience sake towards God, endure griefs, suffering unjustly. For what glory [is it], if sinning and being buffeted ye shall bear [it]? but if, doing good and suffering, ye shall bear [it], this is acceptable with God. For to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; who, [when] reviled, reviled not again; [when] suffering, threatened not; but gave [himself] over into the hands of him who judges righteously; who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, in order that, being dead to sins, we may live to righteousness: by whose stripes ye have been healed. For ye were going astray as sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Titus 2
Commentary on Titus 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
The apostle here directs Titus about the faithful discharge of his own office generally (v. 1), and particularly as to several sorts of persons (v. 2-10) and gives the grounds of these and of other following directions (v. 11-14), with a summary direction in the close (v. 15).
Tts 2:1-10
Here is the third thing in the matter of the epistle. In the chapter foregoing, the apostle had directed Titus about matters of government, and to set in order the things that were wanting in the churches. Now here he exhorts him,
Tts 2:11-14
Here we have the grounds or considerations upon which all the foregoing directions are urged, taken from the nature and design of the gospel, and the end of Christ's death.
Tts 2:15
The apostle closes the chapter (as he began it) with a summary direction to Titus upon the whole, in which we have the matter and manner of ministers' teaching, and a special instruction to Titus in reference to himself.
Perhaps too an admonition might be here intended to the people-that Titus, though young, and but a substitute of the apostle, yet should not be condemned by them, but considered and respected as a faithful minister of Christ, and encouraged and supported in his work and office. "Know those that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, 1 Th. 5:12, 13. Mind their teaching, respect their persons, support them in their function, and, what in you lies, further their endeavours for the honour of God and the salvation of souls.'