Albert Barnes Commentary Titus 2:10

"not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." — Titus 2:10 (ASV)

Not purloining. Not to appropriate to themselves what belongs to their masters. The word purloin literally means to take or carry away for oneself; it would be applied to an appropriation to oneself of what belonged to a common stock, or what belonged to someone for whom we work—such as the embezzlement of public funds.

Here it means that the servant was not to use for himself what belonged to his master; that is, was not to pilfer—a vice to which, as all know, servants, and especially slaves, are particularly exposed. See the word explained in Barnes on Acts 5:2.

But showing all good fidelity. In laboring, and in taking care of the property entrusted to them.

That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. That they may show the positive influence of religion on them in all respects, making them industrious, honest, kind, and obedient.

They were to demonstrate that the effect of the religion they professed was to make them better equipped to fulfill the duties of their station in life, however humble, or that its influence on them was desirable in every respect.

In this way, they might also hope that the minds of their masters might be reached, and that they might be brought to respect and love the gospel. From this, we learn:

1. that one in the most humble walk of life may so live as to be an ornament to religion, as well as one favored with more advantages.
2. That servants may do much good, by living in such a way as to show to all around them that there is a reality in the gospel, and to lead others to love it.
3. If, in this situation of life, it is a duty so to live as to adorn religion, it is no less a duty in more elevated situations. A master should feel the obligation not to be surpassed in religious character by his servant.