Prescription for
Servants/Employees
Pastor David L. Brown,
Ph.D.
Sermon Delivered August 13, 2006
"Exhort servants to be obedient unto their
own masters, and to please them well in all things;
not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but showing all
good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things." Titus 2:9-10
Introduction
This particular section is addressed to
servants. The Greek word used here is
doulouv doulous (doo’-los), which refers slaves, those
who were owned by others. The Roman Empire depended upon slaves who
did most of the labor in their culture. However, when we think of a
slave, likely our minds paint a picture of an uneducated person who
does menial labor. If that is the picture you have cast in your mind
that is an incorrect picture. Many of the slaves captured in war
were the "cream of the crop" so to speak. Many were highly educated
or brilliant craftsmen. They would be similar to Daniel and his
three friends taken captive to Babylon, or Joseph, who was put in
charge of running Potiphar’s house.
Today, we do not live in a slave-oriented culture
as in New Testament or times. But before you start day dreaming
about something else, because you think it has no bearing us today,
let me advise you that the instructions that Paul gives to
servants have an important and appropriate application to
Christian employees.
Let’s look at Paul’s prescription to servants and
apply them to employees.
– v. 9
The first thing that he says is that they are to
be obedient. The word translated obedient is
upotassesyai hupotassesthai (hoop-ot-tass-es-thai)
from the root word upotassw
hupotasso which means to be subject to or under the
authority of another. You will
remember in our study of young women in verse
5, we ran across this same word. To refresh you memory,
obedient – hupotasso is a Greek military term meaning
"to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the
command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary
attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and
carrying a burden". An employee puts themselves under the authority
of their employer in the context of their job.
There is another thing you should know about the
word (phrase) "to be obedient unto." It is a
passive imperative verb. Therefore, it is a command, not
a suggestion. A Christian employee is to cooperate with and do their
best to do what their employer asks them to do.
The phrase please them well
is a translation the Greek word euarestouv
euarestous (yoo-ar’-es-tous) which carries with it the
idea of being committed to excellent in your work. Far too
many people "just put in their time" so to speak. This is wrong! Our
testimony as a Christian employee is at stake. Therefore we should
be diligent to do our best. This is pointed out in Colossians
3:22-24 "Servants, obey in all things your masters
according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in
singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do
it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." Christians are urged to
be a good testimony to their employers by being diligent in carrying
out their instructions and having a good attitude. Be committed
to excellence!
-- v. 9
The phrase "not answering again" has the
thought of not talking back or criticizing. This phrase does not
prohibit the believer from standing up for their convictions of what
is right, proper and God-honoring (see Acts 5:29). However, does
prohibit belligerence merely for one’s own agenda or self-interests.
The point is this: If a worker does have the
opportunity to express his opinion then go ahead. But, when
management makes the final decision, it should be followed
regardless of one’s own personal preferences.
– v.10
The word purloining is not a word
that we commonly use. The English word purloin
literally means to take or carry away for one's self; hence, to
steal; to take by theft. The Greek word translated purloining
is very similar. It carries the fundamental idea of to put
far away from another; to set
apart for one's self; hence to
purloin and appropriate to (steal for) one's own use.
Today, employee thefts are a BIG, BIG problem.
These it adds plenty to the cost of item. Christians should not
steal from their employees (Ephesians 4:38).
- Showing All Good Fidelity – v.10
The idea here is that a Christian employee is to
be loyal. "Good fidelity" is the translation
Greek word pistos which is commonly translated faith
or faithfulness. A Christian employee is to be faithful,
trustworthy, reliable, dependable, and hence loyal to his employer.
That brings us to the results of being an
obedient employee, committed to excellence, who does not verbally
undermine his employer, and does not steal from him, but is faithful
and dependable. That result is, "they…adorn the doctrine of God our
Saviour in all things."
The word adorn is a translation of
the Greek word kosmwsin kosmosin (kos-mos-in)
form where we get our word cosmetics. Basically what Paul is saying
here is that when a slave or by application an employee practices
what he has just taught them, it attracts the unsaved employer to
the teachings of the Bible. On the other hand when a Christian
employee does not follow instructions, does a shoddy job, steals and
is not dependable, that brings reproach on the name of Christ and
the cause of the Gospel.
In conclusion, this brings to an conclusion our
this section in Titus 2 where Paul lay out what behavior is expected
in…
Mature Men – v.2
Mature Women – v.3
Younger Women – vs. 4-5
Young Men – vs. 6-8
Employees – vs. 9-10
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