I want to focus now on Tit 2:1-10. Are the ideas here different from those of Paul elsewhere in the NT? Is the advice here solely what one would expect from upright Romans?
This pericope seems to advocate good living and good beliefs for all, young and old, men and women, slave and free.
Paul’s ethics were essentially based on Roman ideals, similar to the Stoic and Cynic philosophers. Grace is built on nature and the cardinal virtues are not essentially religious. Thus the ethics in the PEs are not in conflict with those of Paul expressed elsewhere.
In the authentic letters of Paul one reads:
“Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever” (1 Cor 7:21).
Also one reads:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord” (Col 3:22).
and
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ;” (Eph 6:5).
Finally:
“Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior (Tit 2:9,10).
Thus the advice for slaves is similar in the authentic Letters of Paul and in those where authorship is questioned, whether in the PEs or not.
There is a constancy in Paul’s teaching on slavery. So, in this instance, the concepts in the PE and the rest of Paul’s writings are not in conflict.
Do you agree with the views in this post, some of which are not universally accepted?
This pericope seems to advocate good living and good beliefs for all, young and old, men and women, slave and free.
Paul’s ethics were essentially based on Roman ideals, similar to the Stoic and Cynic philosophers. Grace is built on nature and the cardinal virtues are not essentially religious. Thus the ethics in the PEs are not in conflict with those of Paul expressed elsewhere.
In the authentic letters of Paul one reads:
“Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever” (1 Cor 7:21).
Also one reads:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord” (Col 3:22).
and
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ;” (Eph 6:5).
Finally:
“Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior (Tit 2:9,10).
Thus the advice for slaves is similar in the authentic Letters of Paul and in those where authorship is questioned, whether in the PEs or not.
There is a constancy in Paul’s teaching on slavery. So, in this instance, the concepts in the PE and the rest of Paul’s writings are not in conflict.
Do you agree with the views in this post, some of which are not universally accepted?