Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Titus 2:9 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Tit 2:9	Strong Concordance	Exhort servants [1401] to be obedient [5293] unto their own [2398] masters [1203], and to [1511] please them well [2101] in [1722] all [3956] things; not [3361] answering again [483];
	King James	Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
servants--"slaves." to please them well--"to give satisfaction" [ALFORD]. To be complaisant in everything; to have that zealous desire to gain the master's goodwill which will anticipate the master's wish and do even more than is required. The reason for the frequent recurrence of injunctions to slaves to subjection (Eph 6:5, &c.; Col 3:22; Ti1 6:1, &c.; Pe1 2:18) was, that in no rank was there more danger of the doctrine of the spiritual equality and freedom of Christians being misunderstood than in that of slaves. It was natural for the slave who had become a Christian, to forget his place and put himself on a social level with his master. Hence the charge for each to abide in the sphere in which he was when converted (Co1 7:20-24). not answering again--in contradiction to the master: so the Greek, "not contradicting" [WAHL].

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

servants--"slaves."

to please them well--"to give satisfaction" [ALFORD]. To be complaisant in everything; to have that zealous desire to gain the master's goodwill which will anticipate the master's wish and do even more than is required. The reason for the frequent recurrence of injunctions to slaves to subjection (Eph 6:5, &c.; Col 3:22; Ti1 6:1, &c.; Pe1 2:18) was, that in no rank was there more danger of the doctrine of the spiritual equality and freedom of Christians being misunderstood than in that of slaves. It was natural for the slave who had become a Christian, to forget his place and put himself on a social level with his master. Hence the charge for each to abide in the sphere in which he was when converted (Co1 7:20-24).

not answering again--in contradiction to the master: so the Greek, "not contradicting" [WAHL].

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters - See this explained in the notes at Eph 6:5, following, and Ti1 6:1-4. And to please them well in all things - That is, so far as they lawfully may, or in those things which are not contrary to the will of God; compare Eph 6:6. It should be an object with one who is a servant, to meet the approbation of his master, as long as this relation continues. This rule would not, however, go to the extent to require him to please his master in doing anything that is contrary to the law of God, or that is morally wrong. Not answering again - Margin, "gainsaying." Not contradicting, or not disobeying. They were to do what the master required, if it did not interfere with the rights of conscience, without attempting to argue the matter - without disputing with the master - and without advancing their own opinions. Where this relation exists, no one can doubt that this is a proper frame of mind for a servant. It may be observed, however, that all that is here said would be equally appropriate, whether the servitude was voluntary or involuntary. A man who becomes voluntarily a servant, binds himself to obey his master cheerfully and quietly, without gainsaying, and without attempting to reason the matter with him, or propounding his own opinions, even though they may be much wiser than those of his employer. He makes a contract to obey his master, not to reason with him, or to instruct him.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
To please them well in all things (ἐν πᾶσιν εὐαρέστους εἶναι) Wrong. Const. in all things with to be in subjection. Note the position of ἐν πᾶσιν in Ti1 3:11; Ti1 4:15; Ti2 2:7; Ti2 4:5, and comp. ὑπακούειν κατὰ πάντα obey in all things, Col 3:20, Col 3:22; and ὑποτάσσεται - ἐν παντί is subject in everything, Eph 5:24. Ἑυάρεστος well pleasing, only here in Pastorals. Almost exclusively in Paul. See also Heb 13:21. Ευαρέστως acceptably, Heb 12:28.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Please them in all things - Wherein it can be done without sin. Not answering again - Though blamed unjustly. This honest servants are most apt to do. Not stealing - Not taking or giving any thing without their master's leave: this fair - spoken servants are apt to do.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Exhort servants to be obedient - The apostle refers to those who were slaves, and the property of their masters; even these are exhorted to be obedient ιδιοις δεσποταις, to their own despots, though they had no right over them on the ground of natural justice. Please them well in all things - They were to endeavor to do this in all things, though they could not hope to succeed in every thing. Not answering again - Μη αντιλεγοντας· Not contradicting or gainsaying. This is no part of a servant's duty; a servant is hired to do his master's work, and this his master has a right to appoint.

Top

²⁰ Let [3306] every man [1538] abide [3306] in [1722] the same [5026] calling [2821] wherein [1722] [3739] he was called [2564].
²¹ Art thou called [2564] being a servant [1401]? care [3199] [4671] not [3361] for it [3199]: but [235] if [1499] thou mayest [1410] be made [1096] free [1658], use [5530] it rather [3123].
²² For [1063] he that is called [2564] in [1722] the Lord [2962], being a servant [1401], is [2076] the Lord's [2962] freeman [558]: likewise [3668] also [2532] he that is called [2564], being free [1658], is [2076] Christ's [5547] servant [1401].
²³ Ye are bought [59] with a price [5092]; be [1096] not [3361] ye [1096] the servants [1401] of men [444].
²⁴ Brethren [80], let [3306] every man [1538], wherein [1722] [3739] he is called [2564], therein [1722] [5129] abide [3306] with [3844] God [2316].

¹⁸ Servants [3610], be subject [5293] to your masters [1203] with [1722] all [3956] fear [5401]; not [3756] only [3440] to the good [18] and [2532] gentle [1933], but [235] also [2532] to the froward [4646].

²² Servants [1401], obey [5219] in [2596] all things [3956] your masters [2962] according [2596] to the flesh [4561]; not [3361] with [1722] eyeservice [3787], as [5613] menpleasers [441]; but [235] in [1722] singleness [572] of heart [2588], fearing [5399] God [2316]:

⁵ Servants [1401], be obedient [5219] to them that are your masters [2962] according to [2596] the flesh [4561], with [3326] fear [5401] and [2532] trembling [5156], in [1722] singleness [572] of your [5216] heart [2588], as [5613] unto Christ [5547];

⁶ Not [3361] with [2596] eyeservice [3787], as [5613] menpleasers [441]; but [235] as [5613] the servants [1401] of Christ [5547], doing [4160] the will [2307] of God [2316] from [1537] the heart [5590];

¹ Let [1526] as many [3745] servants [1401] as [3745] are [1526] under [5259] the yoke [2218] count [2233] their own [2398] masters [1203] worthy [514] of all [3956] honour [5092], that [3363] the name [3686] of God [2316] and [2532] his doctrine [1319] be [987] not [3363] blasphemed [987].
² And [1161] they that have [2192] believing [4103] masters [1203], let them [2706] not [3361] despise [2706] them, because [3754] they are [1526] brethren [80]; but [235] rather [3123] do them service [1398], because [3754] they are [1526] faithful [4103] and [2532] beloved [27], partakers [482] of the benefit [2108]. These things [5023] teach [1321] and [2532] exhort [3870].
³ If any man [1536] teach otherwise [2085], and [2532] consent [4334] not [3361] to wholesome [5198] words [3056], even the words of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], and [2532] to the doctrine [1319] which is according [2596] to godliness [2150];
⁴ He is proud [5187], knowing [1987] nothing [3367], but [235] doting [3552] about [4012] questions [2214] and [2532] strifes of words [3055], whereof [1537] [3739] cometh [1096] envy [5355], strife [2054], railings [988], evil [4190] surmisings [5283],

²⁸ Wherefore [1352] we receiving [3880] a kingdom [932] which cannot be moved [761], let us have [2192] grace [5485], whereby [1223] [3739] we may serve [3000] God [2316] acceptably [2102] with [3326] reverence [127] and [2532] godly fear [2124]:

²¹ Make [2675] you [5209] perfect [2675] in [1722] every [3956] good [18] work [2041] to [1519] do [4160] his [846] will [2307], working [4160] in [1722] you [5213] that which is wellpleasing [2101] in his [846] sight [1799], through [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]; to whom [3739] be glory [1391] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].

²⁴ Therefore [235] as [5618] the church [1577] is subject [5293] unto Christ [5547], so [3779] [2532] let the wives [1135] be to their own [2398] husbands [435] in [1722] every thing [3956].

²⁰ Children [5043], obey [5219] your parents [1118] in [2596] all things [3956]: for [1063] this [5124] is [2076] well pleasing [2101] unto the Lord [2962].

⁵ But [1161] watch [3525] thou [4771] in [1722] all things [3956], endure afflictions [2553], do [4160] the work [2041] of an evangelist [2099], make full proof [4135] of thy [4675] ministry [1248].

⁷ Consider [3539] what [3739] I say [3004]; and [1063] the Lord [2962] give [1325] thee [4671] understanding [4907] in [1722] all things [3956].

¹⁵ Meditate upon [3191] these things [5023]; give thyself [2468] wholly to [1722] them [5125]; that [2443] thy [4675] profiting [4297] may [5600] appear [5318] to [1722] all [3956].

¹¹ Even so [5615] must their wives [1135] be grave [4586], not [3361] slanderers [1228], sober [3524], faithful [4103] in [1722] all things [3956].