Titus 2:9

Paul begins to talk about slaves now. Slavery in that day is quite different from slavery in our day. Some people were actually slaves in that day. They could have been sold or even born into slavery. It wasn't that uncommon for a person to be a slave, so I'm also guessing that some of the believers among them were slaves. There are other times in which Paul provides specific teaching or instruction to slaves. Here he says that they are to be submissive to their masters. Perhaps believers who were slaves were tempted to disobey their masters. However, as bad as it was to be a slave, slaves still have a duty to their masters to be submissive. Looking at the example of Joseph, as a slave he was obedient and showed character. God showed him favor and he was blessed in all that he did. It may be possible that you respect your master and things still go poorly for you. Joseph was thrown in prison after being framed by Potiphar's wife, so he experienced hardships though he was submissive to his master. However, the story ended well for Joseph. Slaves are called to be submissive to their masters. In 1 Peter, we are instructed to be submissive to authority, which is somewhat similar to a slave being submissive to his master. Believers all have the Lord as their master, and ultimately we are to be submissive to him.