Titus 2:9
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Original Language Analysis
δούλους
Exhort servants
G1401
δούλους
Exhort servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
1 of 10
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ἰδίοις
unto their own
G2398
ἰδίοις
unto their own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
2 of 10
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
Historical Context
Roman slavery's brutality is hard to overstate: masters owned slaves' bodies absolutely. Paul's instruction isn't endorsement but pastoral wisdom for vulnerable believers. Immediate revolution would be crushed; patient gospel witness gradually undermined slavery's foundation. The "Servile Wars" showed armed slave revolts invited massive retaliation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you serve in your employment—as unto Christ or merely when supervised?
- Do you obey and honor imperfect authority structures God has placed you under, or do you constantly resist and complain?
- How does the gospel transform your attitude toward difficult bosses, unfair treatment, or unrewarding labor?
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Analysis & Commentary
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters—δούλους (doulous, slaves) describes involuntary servitude, not mere employment. ὑποτάσσεσθαι (hypotassesthai, to submit/be subject to) is present infinitive: continuous submission. ἰδίοις δεσπόταις (idiois despotais, their own masters)—δεσπότης (despotēs, master/lord) implies absolute authority. And to please them well in all things (εὐαρέστους εἶναι ἐν πᾶσιν, euarestous einai en pasin, to be well-pleasing in all things)—sacrificial service, not bare minimum.
Not answering again (μὴ ἀντιλέγοντας, mē antilegontas)—ἀντιλέγω (antilegō, to speak against/contradict/argue back). Slaves had no legal recourse; arguing invited punishment. Christianity didn't immediately abolish slavery but planted gospel seeds (Philemon) that eventually destroyed it. Meanwhile, Christian slaves demonstrated gospel transformation through counter-cultural service.