Titus 2:9-10 9Slaves should be submissive to their own masters in everything, to be well pleasing, not talking back, 10and not stealing, but showing every good faith, in order that they may make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in everything.
Slaves are the next group in the Cretan church about whom Paul gives directions to Titus. Slaves were common in households of that time. Life was not always easy for slaves, which could lead to resentment and rebellion. As the gospel was preached, many slaves found hope in the message about Jesus. They may have listened in as churches developed and met in the houses of their masters. The new spiritual freedom experienced by Christian slaves could have led them to seek liberation from their physical bondage, resulting in backlash (or a lash on their backs!) from their masters. The spiritual liberation of slaves had the potential of rocking the boat of social stability in some Greco-Roman houses. Paul addressed slaves in some of his letters, guiding them how to interact with both believing and unbelieving masters. Interestingly, Paul does not address masters in this letter. It is possible that these masters were the elders and overseers in chapter 1.
Paul directs them to rise above their situations by living respectably, resulting in a testimony of God’s salvation within them. These slaves would be different than other slaves who were known for talking back and stealing. Their masters would be so pleased with their performance that their masters will be attracted to this new teaching. Every good faithcould mean that their faith in Christ should be evident in their good actions. Paul again uses the word “teach” in relation to the gospel message and its application in the Christian community. Most slaves were not teachers, although some of the more educated ones may have been tutors to children in the home. What Paul writes here makes all slaves potential teachers through the testimony of their speech and lifestyle. People could look at them and see God’s grace at work. Although they may have been powerless in the culture because of their status as slaves, they had access to the very power that created the universe.
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