Paul gives instructions for Titus to pass on to his congregation. The common theme among all of them is self-control, temperance, honesty, respect, and the like.
The older men are to be examples for the younger men while the older women are to be examples to the younger women.
He also mentions slaves. In similar instruction elsewhere, they are to not only obey their masters, but be polite. (v. 9-10). He specifically mentions slaves should not steal from their masters, calling to mind the situation of Philemon and Onesimus. (v. 10; Philemon: 18)
The rationale is to make the Gospel attractive to their masters. This is an interesting aspect that we have encountered before in Paul's discussions about slavery. Here, it seems the slaves will be missionaries to their own masters, which presumes that the masters are not Christian. This contrasts other situations where Paul had instructions for slave owners, which presumes that there were Christian slave owners. For instance, in 1 Timothy 6:2, Paul addresses situations where both the slave and master are Christian.
One way to apply this is to carefully consider how good of an example each of us are. Am I a good example to younger people, both inside and outside of church? I am getting better.
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