Titus - 2

Paul's letter to Titus exhorts him to speak the things which reflect wholesome teaching (sound doctrine). Such things include the proper conduct expected of Christians, both male and female, young and old, and of those who are servants (slaves). Even Titus was to present himself as a pattern of good works for others to follow, which would also serve to silence any opponents of the faith.

Paul then writes of the grace of God that brings salvation to all men. This wonderful grace instructs us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, choosing instead to live soberly, righteously and godly. It also encourages us to look forward to the blessed hope we have related to the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a special people who are zealous for good works. These things Titus was to teach with all authority, allowing none to despise him for doing so.

What we do reveals who we really are. It is here we get a glimpse into what we really believe. Chapter 2 shows the importance of putting doctrine (what we believe) into practice - Titus 1:16: Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

(1) *As for you, Titus, promote the **kind of living that reflects ***wholesome teaching.

• *As for you: As contrasted to the false teachers in 1:10-16. They were so engrossed in their false doctrines that they were already having negative results on the moral conduct of the Christians at Crete, especially in the realm of the home.
• **kind of living: The doctrine and teaching is supposed to lead to correct living - we need to "walk the talk".
• ***wholesome teaching: sound doctrine. Sound doctrine in 1:9, sound faith 1:13, sound doctrine in 2:1, sound speech in 2:8.
  
  • 2 Timothy 4:3: For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
• Paul wanted Christians to behave consistently with what they claim to believe. The primary motivation Paul used in the advice to follow is that these exhortations come from and agree with sound doctrine. A secondary motive that he also stressed is that the behavior he advocated would make a positive impact on unbelievers who would observe the Christians on Crete.

(2) Teach the *OLDER men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have **sound faith and be filled with ***love and ****patience.

• *Older men should be mature.
  
  • The age range for the older men and women would have been about 40 and above in that culture, and that of the younger would have been between about 20 and 40.
  • Because younger people often copy older people, older people should be good models. They must be men whom other people can respect. They must be able to control their words and actions.
  • The overall idea of the three adjectives (self-controlled, worthy of respect & wisely living) is that the older men should have lost the recklessness and thoughtlessness of youth.
• **sound faith: Their maturity should enable them to trust God fully the more they experience of Him. The more that they walk with Christ in obedience to Him, the greater their faith will grow.
• ***love: Secondly, they must be sound in love. They must avoid being critical and faultfinding, but have compassion and concern for one another and for younger members, increasing in tolerance and sympathy and seeking to help others.
• ****patience: Thirdly, they must be sound in patient endurance, being an example to younger Christians.
  
  • Romans 5:1-5: Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

(3) Similarly, teach the OLDER women to live in a way that honors God. They must not *slander others or be **heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.

• *slander: Greek blasphemetai.
  
  • James 1:26; 3:2,5-8: If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. ... Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. ... In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
• **heavy drinkers:
  
  • Greek be enslaved to much wine.
  • Proverbs 31:6: Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
• Older women in the era were a problem for society - often alcoholic, gossipers (busybodies), unfaithful with no purpose left in life (in their mind) since their main function in life was over (bearing and raising children) and they were not normally allowed to do anything but stay in and take care of the house - they weren't allowed to be involved in politics or any other "manly" task such as warfare, work, sport or hobby.

(4) These *OLDER women must train the YOUNGER women **to love their husbands and ***their children,

• *older women: The context seems to indicate the term "older women" were married women who have raised their children and can now help the younger women be successful.
  
  • Notice that Titus is not to instruct the younger women - that could lead to a problem.
• **To love their husbands is philandros, which carries the idea of “devoted to their husbands.” A right relationship between a husband and wife is the first responsibility and priority in the home because this relationship is foundational to the parents’ ability to properly love and care for their children. It is in the home that children develop a proper view of men and women, of love, marriage, respect for others, and even of God’s love as they see it modeled in their parents. The Christian wife who sets an example of love sends a powerful message that is understandable even to those outside the church. To the honorable Jew or Gentile in that day, the presence of this kind of love indicated an exceptional wife. The Christian wife who sets an example of love sends a powerful message that is understandable even to those without Christ.
• ***to love their children is philoteknos, which means loving their children in the sense of being devoted to their care and nurture.

(5) to live wisely and be *pure, to **work in their homes, to do good, and to be ***submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

• *pure is hagnos, “free from defilement, morally pure, innocent, chaste”. Naturally, “pure” means purity in the sex life (faithful to their husbands), but also purity of heart and mind since this is the root of all behavior.
• **work in their homes:
  Some manuscripts read to care for their homes.
  
  • This does not mean that the wife cannot work outside the home - "Mrs. Far Above Rubies" in Proverbs 31 was an entrepreneur:
    
    Proverbs 31:16, 18, 24: She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
    She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants
    
    The picture given in Proverbs 31 is of a woman whose ministry extends beyond her own household, though the home is the center and focus of her life and takes precedence over all else.
• ***submissive:
  
  • Ephesians 5:23-24: For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.
  • Ephesians 5:25-31: For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.
• The reason that the younger women are to love their husbands, love their children, care for their homes and support the leadership and headship of their husband was that shame not be brought to the word of God. Younger women acting opposite of these virtues would repel other men from coming to Christ, especially in that society.
• “Submissive” is in the middle voice which carries the idea of “subject yourselves.” This indicates that submission is to be a voluntary response of the wife’s heart that flows out of her greater submission to God’s ordained plan for the home. Nowhere are husbands told to demand this submission. Rather he is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. In the New Testament, headship is not a dictatorship or being the boss. Rather, it is a loving leadership that takes on the disposition of being a servant and one that assumes responsibility for the relationship.
• Proverbs 14:1: A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
• The demean our of older women is to be reverent and dignified, so that those who come in touch with them become aware of Christ in them. They are not to be slanderers, gossips or talebearers. They are to teach what is good, aiming to help and uplift, guide and encourage, rather than dampening down all with whom they come in contact. Their ministry is mainly to be to the younger women.
• The point here is that while in Christ women were equal with men before God (Galatians 3:28), they must not by their behavior bring discredit on Christ in a world where women were expected to be discreet and stay at home with little male contact.
• Paul listed seven responsibilities of these women. They were:
  
  1. to be lovers of their husbands (to put their welfare before self-interests),
  2. to be lovers of their children,
  3. to be sensible.
  4. They were also to be pure and
  5. to be workers at home (producers of orderliness in the home).
  6. Finally they were to be kind
  7. and to be subject to their own husbands as to God's ordained authority in their family.

(6) In the same way, encourage the YOUNG men to live wisely.

• Fathers in today's society, as well as Paul's, focused on making a living and having a "good time". Today and then, they tended to leave the parenting to the mothers. Christian fathers must be good role models to their children. The father is the first concept of who God is to a child.

(7) And YOU YOURSELF must be an *EXAMPLE to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

• *example:
  
  • 1 Timothy 4:12: ... Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
  • We too are to be an example to others by how we live our lives - working out Christ in our everyday life. Women, men, husbands, wives and slaves are all to remember that the unsaved are often led to Christ not by our words but by our actions!
  • Meanwhile, Titus himself must be a good example to all. His doctrine must be pure and error free. He must be wise, true and discreet in all that he says. He is to be the example that all can follow.
    
    • 1 Corinthians 11:1: And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
    • Philippians 3:17: Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

(8) Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

9) *Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back

(10) or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

• *Slaves:
  
  • Ephesians 6:5-9: Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
  • Colossians 3:22-4:1: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
  • Half of the population of the Roman Empire was slaves. Three fourths of the population of Athens was slaves. The life of a slave could be taken at the whim of the master. Over the centuries, Christianity abolished slavery, first in the ancient world and then later in the nineteenth century, largely through the efforts of the strong evangelical William Wilberforce who worked with John Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace". It didn’t happen overnight, and certainly there have been dedicated Christians who were slave owners. Nonetheless, the end of slavery, which has plagued mankind for thousand of years, has come primarily through the efforts of Christians.
  • There may have been a tendency in Crete for Christian slaves to exercise their new freedom in Christ by becoming arrogant and rebelling, which would hinder the spread of the Word.

(11) For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

• This verse does not teach that all people will be saved; rather, it teaches that that salvation has been offered to all and the preaching of the Gospel will bring that opportunity to them.
• And the reason that they are to behave like this is because God's mercy and grace have appeared, active on their behalf and bringing the open offer of salvation to all men and women, master and slave alike. A far greater and eternal freedom is thus now available.

(12) And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

• We are to be a stark contrast to the rest of the world to attract others to Christ.

(13) while we *look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great **God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be ***revealed.

• *look forward: 2 Timothy 4:8: And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
  
• **God and Savior: Jesus Christ is both God and Savior.
  
  • 2 Peter 1:1: This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
    
• ***revealed:
  
  • Colossians 3:4: And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
  • Greek epiphaneia. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 1:7. The word indicates appearing in divine manifestation, and in the same way as a great King making a ceremonial royal visit. It points to the open revelation of His glory.

(14) He *gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing **good deeds.

• *gave his life:
  
  • Mark 10:45: For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
  • Galatians 2:20: My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
  • Ephesians 5:2: Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:6: He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
• **good deeds:
  
  • Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
  • Titus 3:8,14: This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. ... Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
  • 2 Timothy 2:21; 3:16: If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. ... God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
  • James 2:24, 26: So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
    ... Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
  • Paul's letter to Titus strongly stresses the need for good works in the lives of Christians. In fact, this note is sounded over and over again.

15) You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.

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NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, the scripture version used is the New Living Translation.

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NOTE: Sources and References are on line at: http://titus-study.blogspot.com/2010/11/titus-references-and-sources.html