Titus 2:9

“Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,” – Titus 2:9

Continuing on the point which Titus needs to teach the bondservants;

“bondservants to be obedient to their own masters”

This word ‘bondservant’ is the same word that Paul uses to describe himself and his relationship to God in Titus 1:1 – these three things Paul outlines would be how he sees our relationship to authority – especially to God. How this played out in 1st Century Christianity, would require more research, however, we know from the book of Philemon that Paul’s dealing with bondservants was kind and loving.

“to be well pleasing in all things”

“not answering back”

Why is answering back an undesirable characteristic? Perhaps it shows a lack of trust in the master’s wisdom/counsel. Or perhaps defiance? How do we relate to God and His position in our life? Do we answer back to him?

An application:

As an “overseer”, Lord, please help me to be the kind of bondservant I ought to be, to trust you and your commands, to be obedient, and well-pleasing in all things. Amen.