God’s Word Translation
Titus 2:9
9Tell slaves who are believers to place themselves under their masters’ authority in everything they do. Tell them to please their masters, not to argue with them
Titus 2:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
- New International Version (NIV)Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,
Context of Titus 2:9
7Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity. 8Speak an accurate message that cannot be condemned. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed because they cannot say anything bad about us. Tell slaves who are believers to place themselves under their masters’ authority in everything they do. Tell them to please their masters, not to argue with them 10or steal from them. Instead, tell slaves to show their masters how good and completely loyal they can be. Then they will show the beauty of the teachings about God our Savior in everything they do. 11After all, God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people.
Read all of Titus 2Titus 2:9 word by word
Δούλους ἰδίοις δεσπόταις ὑποτάσσεσθαι, ἐν πᾶσιν εὐαρέστους εἶναι, μὴ ἀντιλέγοντας,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- servantsδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
- to beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- obedientὑποτάσσωhupotassō · to subjectG5293
- unto their ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
- mastersδεσπότηςdespotēs · masterG1203
- to pleaseεὐάρεστοςeuarestos · well-pleasingG2101
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- notμήmē · notG3361
- answering againἀντιλέγωantilegō · to disputeG483
Commentaries on Titus 2:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Exhort 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 , 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 - · Not contradicting or gainsaying. This is no part of a…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters - See this explained in the notes at Ephesians 6:5, following, and 1 Timothy 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 Ephesians 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-10Verses 9-10 Servants must know and do their duty to their earthly masters, with a reference to their heavenly one. In serving an earthly master according to Christ's will, He is served; such shall be rewarded by him. Not giving disrespectful or provoking language; but to take a check or reproof with silence, not making confident or bold replies. When conscious of a fault, to excuse or justify it, doubles it. Never putting to their own use that which is…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-10The purpose of these commands is to "adorn the teaching about God" The New Living Translation translates it this way: "make the teaching about God … attractive" (see 1 Timothy 6:1–2).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. 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 (Ep 6:5, &c.; Col 3:22; 1Ti 6:1, &c.; 1Pe 2:18) was, that in no rank was there more danger of the doctrine of the spiritual equality and…Read the comment
Topics related to Titus 2:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Titus 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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