Titus 2:9

Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying, not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Well-pleasing in all things ... "It is probable here that Paul was thinking of Christian slaves with Christian masters."[26] As Lipscomb said, "It is obvious that `all things' is here limited to things not contrary to God's law."[27]

Gainsaying ... means "talking back," with a view to thwarting, or criticizing, the master's will.

Purloining... "The particular form of theft implied is the abstraction or retention for one's self of a part of something entrusted to one's care."[28] Luke used the same word with reference to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:2,3.

That they may adorn the doctrine of God... The lot of a Christian slave was as nearly intolerable as possible. Without anything except the bare necessities for existence, slaves toiled continually without pay, without vacation, often even without any appreciation on the part of their masters. They had no legal, or natural rights of any kind. When they became they were allowed to die, unless the master thought it profitable to have them cured. Cruel and unjust punishments were often endured by them. Yet, even in such a condition, Paul speaks of their "adorning" the doctrine of God. The service of a slave was elevated to a higher plane. All that he did, he did it "as unto the Lord," and he would in no wise lose his reward. For more lengthy discussion of the problem of human slavery, as encountered by the primitive church, see under reciprocal relations in Ephesians and Colossians. Let it be noted that " Titus 2:9,10 are not given as suggestions, but as imperatives of Christian conduct."[29]

[26] Ibid.

[27] David Lipscomb, op. cit., p. 275.

[28] Newport J. D. White, op. cit., p. 193.

[29] Don DeWelt, op. cit., p. 162.