Titus 2:10

Purloining. Or, “misappropriating,” “embezzling.” Slaves were often employed in duties besides those connected with the house or farm. Some were entrusted with business ventures and permitted much personal freedom. This gave them opportunity for dishonesty. At times they received an elaborate education as artists or physicians, in which capacity they worked for their masters. Thus, in the days of Paul a slave had many opportunities to cheat his owner. Thieving or embezzling of the master’s property was so common in Crete that frequently servants were called thieves. Christian slaves were to be manifestly superior in loyalty and honesty.

Good fidelity. Christian slaves were to be completely trustworthy as they served their earthly masters.

Adorn. See on 1 Tim. 2:9. Paul asserts that the Christlike life alone can rightly commend the gospel to the world. New men, not new methods, constitute God’s plan for the advancement of the gospel (see on 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Peter 3:12).

Doctrine of God. Probably, “doctrine about God,” the source of every Christian hope, which Paul develops in vs. 11-15.