What Our Behaviour Should Be Towards Outsiders In View Of The Fact That We Are Looking For The Lord's Coming (Titus 2:9 to Titus 3:2).
Two main aspects of behaviour towards outsiders are in mind here, both of which are unavoidable to those concerned. The first is the position of a bondservant to his usually non-Christian master, and the second is the position of all towards authority. And both of these are put in juxtaposition to the Lord's coming. Because Christians are not of this world, but are seeking to win this world to Christ, they are to behave in an exemplary way so that no discredit or blame comes on either Christ or the church. They must recognise that in the end it is what they are in Christ that matters, as those who are experiencing the work of the Saviour, not what their earthly status is, which is not of prime importance.
Analysis.
a 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 (Titus 2:9-10 a).
b That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (Titus 2:10 b).
c For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying (renouncing) ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).
d Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
c Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).
b These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you (Titus 2:15).
a Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men (Titus 3:1-2)
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Note that in ‘a' bondservants are to be in subjection to their masters, to be well pleasing, and not to speak against them, and in the parallel we are to be subject to the authorities who are over us, to be ready for every good work, speaking evil of no one. In ‘b' they are to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and in the parallel Titus is so to speak that he is not despised. In ‘c' God's gracious activity in salvation has appeared in order to transform us, and in the parallel our Saviour Jesus Christ has given Himself for us in order to redeem us and transform us. Centrally in ‘d' is our need to look for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.