Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, …
Summary: When Paul says people are to be subject to human authority in “everything,” he is not placing human authority above God. Instead, our submission to human authority is intended to serve God by glorifying him.
Let’s talk about what it means to be subject to someone “in everything.” This applies to many aspects of the Christian life. Paul has already told us that he is a servant of God (Titus 1:1). He has instructed Titus that wives should be subject to their husbands (Titus 2:5). In this passage, he is talking about slaves and servants, both male and female. Later in his letter, in Titus 3:1, he discusses being subject to “rulers and authorities.” In each of these situations, Paul looks at people through the lens of what we are and what God’s will is.
So what are we? In Part I of this series, on Titus 2:9, we discussed the duality of our nature as humans. We are both physical (flesh) and spiritual. Another way of describing this is that we have a visible nature and an invisible nature.
When Paul talks about being subject to a human entity such as a husband, master (or boss), or the government, he refers to our physical self. In essence, he is saying, make the physical expression of who you are, your body, subject to the conditions God has placed you in.
When Paul talks about being a “servant of God” (Titus 1:1), he refers to our spiritual nature. The Bible explains it this way; “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
When we look at what Paul is telling us, it will only make sense if we look through the same lens that he is using. Flesh is flesh, spirit is spirit. Flesh is mortal, the spirit is eternal. Flesh is alive when it is breathing, the spirit is only alive when it is with God. Being apart from God is spiritual death.
Why?
Paul explains in the next sentence of his letter. He says:
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)
As Christians, we are to be subject to God’s will. Jesus summed up the Bible in two commands: Love God above all else and your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22: 37-40) Our goal is eternal life with God. This means that we choose God’s will above our own. God’s will is that we represent Him well. It is extremely difficult for us to do. We have to put the wellbeing of our spiritual self ahead of the wellbeing of our physical self.
When Paul says we are to be subject to a worldly authority in “everything,” he does not mean to include both spiritual and physical. The Greek “pas” which is translated as “everything” refers to the “whole” of something. The something in Paul’s sentence is the relationship between master and slave. We have expanded this concept to include employees and boss, husband and wife, and citizen and government. The “whole” of any relationship in this world is physical in nature.
As with Jesus’ summary of the Commandments in Matthew 22:37-40, our relationship with God takes precedence over everything else. Spiritually, God is our everything. It is God that we honor and serve. It is because of Him that we love others as ourselves. From Paul’s perspective, when we are subject to someone in the physical world, it is to serve God. If there is a conflict between what our human master demands and what God asks, God’s will takes precedence.
Application: Live as though our physical life only lasts a little while compared to our eternal life, because it does.
Food for Thought: Where do you draw the line between God’s desire that we submit to authority and God’s will that we love Him above all else?
I notice in the book of Acts the apostles refused to stop proclaiming and sharing the gospel when they were commanded to do so by religious and governmental authorities.
I also note the scriptures command not just advise, public worship, fellowship, prayer, praise of the Lord to mention a few things.
In ancient Rome the Emperor demanded absolute obedience and even worship.
Christians refused to give it to him and were martyred, in the coliseum, thrown to the wild beasts, crucified, tortured, imprisoned and so on.
Will Christians in the USA yield, should they yield, to governmental authorities which against the bill of rights, against long standing legal precedent, without due process are commanded to obey what God has commanded, or face severe punishment.
Government should be obeyed in all their just claims, to bring order and civility, in regulations, policy and payment of taxes.
However, when freedom of speech is canceled, people are fired for expressing their thoughts, freedom of assembly for lawful purposes is restricted or denied, freedom of religion is denied, curtailed, or canceled to the extent that it virtually ceases to exist, should US Christians. whose freedoms were paid for by the spilt blood and death of soldiers and men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor in their defense?
Patrick Henry gave a speech in which he said at the end of a rousing compelling oratory, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, GIVE ME LIBERTY, OR GIVE ME DEATH.”
The cancel culture may be effective and in control, the powers that be may seem to be beyond the ability to defeat.
I leave the question for others to answer. Should Christians, in particular US Christians just knuckle under and easily surrender our freedoms and rights which were fought and paid for at an incredibly high price, costing many their lives and fortunes?
I purposely do not quote, or cite biblical passages in my answer and questions because I understand the overwhelming number of scriptures, viewpoints, worldviews. and presuppositions which may affect different individuals understanding of what is a correct response.
I would respond with one day believers and joint-heirs with Christ will be put in positions of power and ability to judge wisely what is right and wrong, what is good policy and what is not.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil in that day(Isaiah 5:20).
May the Lord bless and keep all who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in truth ( 1 Corinthians 1:2)
Jeff,
Thank you for your thoughts. It seems to me that the answer to, “Should Christians …” depends largely on what Christians know and believe. A solid understanding of our Father’s will and who and what we are is essential.
I think you said it toward the end of your devotion. Jeff H mentioned it at the beginning of his response. When the will of man collides with the will of God, we side with God. If God has made His will known and a human authority goes against that revealed will – go with God. Many atrocities have been committed with the excuse of “I was simply following orders.” Even if a revered religious leader calls us to do something against Gods will – go with God’s will instead. For an interesting perspective on this see Deuteronomy 13: 1 – 4.
Rich,
The Deuteronomy passage is interesting. All of life, in some sense, is a test. Thank you for your faithfulness and for sharing this morning!
Thank you all for your insightful responses.
FYI to the best of my ability and determination.
Google is consistently blocking my ability to access the web, access my email and so on. This is after I completely reset my phone and no longer allowed them to track and invade my privacy or send me to websites I did not request. It appears I my need to pursue getting a new operating system, internet provider, phone, and or other equipment which will not demand thought control of what I must see, hear, think. or believe. Apparently, welcome to Orwellian, (referring to George Orwell book 1984).
I guess it remains to be seen how this will turn out. Prayers appreciated. Thanks
👍🏻
Where do you draw the line between God’s desire that we submit to authority and God’s will that we love Him above all else?
Jesus was asked about taxes and tells us to pay our taxes to our government, as we continue to love God above all else. God had Paul double down and clarify this because there are more donkey’s out there than just me. There is more to it than just pay our taxes and go on our merry way. We are to give everyone we owe, what we owe them. If we owe taxes, pay the taxes; if revenue, pay them revenue; if respect, pay them respect; if honor, honor them. We do this as we love so much we submit to Him by accepting His will over our will. God is sovereign and always obey Him first.
Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:1;7
The Bible has much to say about submission: to God, to political authorities, church leadership, within marriage, and submission of all Christians to one another.
James 4:6-7, Hebrews 13:17, Collisions 3:18, Ephesians 5:21
What about someone who has authority over me and shows by their words and actions, they stand against God? Do I owe them taxes, honor, respect? If taxes, I pay the taxes, But honor and respect are earned by the individual, and we cannot give to another what they have not earned.
How did Jesus respond to the proud religious leaders and false teachers? He properly called out and scolded, the self-righteous and responded with truth, those seeking truth like Nicodemus Jesus taught. He was taken before Pilate the governor from Rome. Jesus briefly reasoned with him, but Pilate served, people rather than governed and Jesus gave him silence. Herod the king of Israel questioned Jesus wanting Him to do tricks for him. Jesus responded in silence.
Jesus says, My kingdom is not of this world, and believers are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When this becomes a crime, we will be in the company of others we can Honor and Respect.
John 18:36, 3:1-21, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 27:11-14, Luke 23:6-12
Ron,
Thank you – great comments! I have a question for you if you happen to see this comment:
What do you think about Mordecai in the book of Esther? In Esther 3:1-6 we see that Modecai’s unwillingness to give honor to Haman actually precipitates the crisis that the entire book is about. I understand that Haman’s tribe was never friendly with the Jews but did this fact justify Mordecai’s behavior? Your thoughts? Everyone else feel free to jump in, too. 🙂
As I read Ester, I see Mordecai is possibly refusing to honor a dishonorable man. all writings about him are good, he receives many blessings from God and becomes second only to the king.
Haman is a proud, self-centered evil man (PERSIAN TODAY IRAN) who is committed to killing all Jews, and spirals straight down to death on the gallows he built for Mordecai.
2:7 Mordecai guardian, like father to Ester his uncles daughter.
2:21, Mordecai saved kings life,told Ester of plot against his life, Ester told King in Mordacais name,
3:4, Mordecai would not bow, let it be known he was a Jew.
4:1, Mordecai tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went out to the center of the city, cried out loudly, bitterly.
4:13-14, Mordecai replies Ester by not acting, already condemned, this could be the very reason she was chosen as queen. Act now or someone else will and all she is will perish.
6:22, King could not sleep found it written how Mordecai had reported a planned attack to kill the King and had not been recognized.
8:15-17, Mordecai departed from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and with a robe of fine linen and purple wool;
3 For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many fellow people, for he worked for the good of his people and spoke for the welfare and peace of his whole nation.
Mordecai’s Greatness
10 King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) imposed a tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. 2 And all the accomplishments of his authority and strength, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many fellow people, for he worked for the good of his people and spoke for the welfare and peace of his whole nation.
3.1, King promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, (Amalekites, PERSIA, IRAN longstanding enemies ) If so, there is natural animosity between Haman and Mordecai.)
3:2, all were commanded to Honor Haman by bowing to him.
3:6, Haman determined to destroy ALL JEWS!
3:8-11, Haman lied to King, about rebellious jews who needed to be killed.
3:13 Letters sent to all the king’s provinces destroy, kill, annihilate all Jews, young old, women, children, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, March 7, 473 b.c, and seize their belongings as plunder.
3;15b, And while the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa, Jews was perplexed.
5:9-14, Haman boasts to wife and friends about all HE has and has done complains about Mordecai for not fearing or bowing to him and his wife and friends suggest he ask the king to hang him.
6:4-9, Haman was waiting to ask king about hanging Mordecai, is called in by king, and asked how the king should honor a man. Thinking it would be him, Haman came up with a very detailed royal ceremony royal robe and lead him on horseback through the open square of the city, and proclaim before him, ‘This is what shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.
6:10-14, Haman did all the king instructed, hurried home to tell wife and friends all that had happened. He was told that if Mordecai was a Jew, he was certain to fall, and the kings men took him for banquet with Ester.
7:1-6, Ester pleas for her life and the lives of all her people, and identifies Haman as an adversary, an enemy and an evil man.
7:7-10, The king is in a fury and Haman is hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
Ron,
I appreciate your thoughts on Haman. (My autocorrect wants to keep spelling his name “human.” Someone once said that the guy who invented autocorrect should burn in hello. 🙂 )
“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7
I think your point is well made. There must be a reason that Haman did not deserve respect or honor from the Jews.
Thank you!