Sound Doctrine Involves Proper Conduct (vv. 1-6)
In these verses, Paul points to duties of people of various ages and stations
in life
that Titus must teach. These duties are identified with sound doctrine (v. 1).
All
precepts and duties for Christians are based on truth. Every truth one learns
imposes responsibility, for each truth has its corresponding duty, and every
duty the
Christian has is based on the word of truth. Many learn and know truth, but
this
knowledge does not alter their conduct. This is the case because they fail to
recognize the duty that knowledge imposes. On the other hand, some impose duties
upon themselves, and others, when there is not truth (sound reason) behind them.
Aged Men
The duties of aged men are first addressed (v. 2). The word "aged"
refers to older
men in the church, not necessarily "elders" who are officers in a
local church,
though these would be included.
These are to be sober (temperate). People usually associate these words with
abstinence from strong drink, but while this is embraced, the word here seems
to go
further and suggests a way of life. It suggests a man who has lived long enough
to
have experienced and observed that the cost of self-indulgence is extremely
high
and no part of true riches, so lives a life of self-restraint, avoiding excess
in
anything.
To be "grave" is to be dignified, serious, worthy of respect. This
does not mean that
such an one goes around with a long face, never smiling or reflecting joy and
happiness, but one who reflects the fact he is living in the glorious light
of eternity
and will soon be leaving this earthly life for the joys of heaven. He is concerned,
not
with carnal indulgences, but with those things that are spiritual and eternal.
Being "sober-minded" is to be prudent, thoughtful, and self-controlled.
Over many
years of minding the things of the Spirit rather than the things of the flesh,
older
men should be able to govern every instinct and passion so that each is in its
proper
place.
Three things are mentioned in which elderly men are to be sound (strong-healthy).
The first one is "faith." Without faith it is impossible to please
God (Heb. 11:6).
Abraham "being not weak in faith... staggered not at the promise of God"
(Rom.
4:18-21). Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Being sound in
faith is simply a matter of knowing what the Bible teaches, putting one's confidence
in what it says, and acting accordingly.
The second thing in which one is to be sound is "love." Strength
here means love is
the guiding principle in one's life. It leads to properly dealing with God and
one
another. (See 1 Cor. 13; 1 Jno. 5:3; Matt. 22:36-40.)
Thirdly, the elderly men are told to be strong (sound) in "patience,"
or steadfastness.
(See Rom. 5:1-5; Jas. 1:2-4.) Years should temper a man so that he can bear
more
and more and be able to conquer life's problems without fainting.
Aged Women
Aged women are next addressed (v. 3). Titus is told to teach them "that
they be in
behavior as becometh holiness" (reverent in demeanor -- ASV). They are
"not to be
false accusers" (slanderers), an action designed to defame or injure the
reputation
of another, nor to be "given (enslaved) to much wine," showing a lack
of ability to
overcome fleshly desires. Older women should be apt and anxious to teach good
things. This is a positive duty of elderly Christian women, though often ignored
or
neglected. The experience of age should ever be used to instruct and guide for
it is,
indeed, a tragedy for the younger to be deprived of this. There is a great need
for
grandmothers of faith, like Timothy had (2 Tim. 1:5), in the church for they
are
natural instructors of the young of both sexes.
Younger Women
Some of the things the older women are to teach the younger are now listed
(vv. 4-
5). To be sober-minded is to have a well-balanced mind, or able to think straight.
Loving one's husband and children is something that can be taught and learned.
Of
course, this should come naturally, but such is not always the case, especially
when
feelings and emotions are relied upon instead of divine teaching and training.
"Discreet" (KJV) is the same as "sober-minded" (ASV). "Chaste"
refers to purity in
heart and life. "Keepers at home" (KJV), "Workers at home"
(ASV), "Homemakers"
(NKJ) refer to being workers at home or guardians of the house -- active in
household duties. Younger women should be taught that in thinking of a career,
there is none greater than that of homemaking. There is no task, responsibility,
privilege or reward greater than this. To be "good" (KJV), "kind"
(ASV), is to
demonstrate a gracious, benign disposition toward servants, husband, children
and
all. Teaching the younger women to "be obedient to their own husbands"
(KJV), "in
subjection to" (ASV), is something God has always required (Gen. 3:16;
1 Cor.
11:3). This does not mean women are men's slaves, but that God has assigned
unto
man the responsibility of leadership (headship), providing, and protecting,
requiring
that they continually sacrifice love of self and desires for wife and family,
being
gentle, kind, and patient in dealing with them. If the conduct of Christians
does not
harmonize with sound doctrine, this word of truth will be blasphemed (spoken
against).
Young Men
The young men "likewise" (like the young women and older) must be
taught the
importance of being "soberminded" (sensible -- ASV).
Be A Proper Example (vv. 7-8)
What Paul told Titus to teach others, he must demonstrate (be an example --
pattern) in his own life. Nothing is more repulsive to God and man than hypocrisy
on the part of a preacher. Such will result in the loss of both the preacher
and
hearers.
The doctrine taught by Titus, according to this text, must be characterized
by certain
things. First, there is the matter of "uncorruptness." It must be
pure, unmixed with
the philosophies of men. It must be only that divinely revealed, established
as truth
by searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). False doctrine saves neither the preacher
nor the hearer, but rather damns (2 Thes. 2:10-12).
Secondly, the preacher of sound doctrine must preach it with "gravity"
(reverent,
dignified, and serious), and thirdly, his speech must be "sound" --
"Teaching which
does not deviate from the truth" -- Thayer. This kind of teaching cannot
be justly
condemned or censured. It is in contrast to the doctrines and commandments of
men, born of carnal desires, corruptions, and perversions. "He that is
of the contrary
part" (v. 8) is actually put to shame in his unjust censure and opposition
to the
preacher of sound doctrine who is also pure in life, sincere, and upright in
attitude.
Every successful evangelist (saves self and them that hear) must be an example
of
soundness in his speech, life, and attitude. The same principle is true of every
Christian in his relationship with the world (1 Pet. 2:11-12).
Teach Servants To Serve As Christians (vv. 9-10)
Rather than attack and try to abolish slavery as an institution, New Testament
writers relied upon the spirit of the gospel and the principles it set forth
(dignity and
worth of every human soul; all in Christ are brethren, and alike servants of
the one
heavenly Father) to moderate the harshness and inhumanity of the system and
eventually destroy it.
In harmony with this, these verses instruct servants, as with all Christians
in every
walk of life (1 Cor. 7:20-24; 1 Pet. 2:18) to be exemplary in conduct. As hard
as it
may be for a slave, who has tasted of the freedom and oneness in Christ, to
accept
his situation, he must be taught the importance of being in submission to his
master
and honestly and sincerely seek to please him as best he can. He is told not
to be
"answering again" (KJV), "gainsaying" (ASV), "argumentative
(NASV), "answering
back" (NKJ) (v. 9). He is to serve without answering back, arguing, or
speaking
against. Such action would be opposed to the cheerful, willing, submissive service
that the gospel demands.
"Not purloining" KJV, ASV; "pilfering" NASV, NKJ (v. 10)
means taking what has
been entrusted to one and using it for himself. Some define the word as "thieving."
Certainly, this is not in harmony with the gospel, but in direct opposition.
The gospel
demands that a Christian show "all good fidelity" (honesty). So, if
a slave, or anyone
else, shows, demonstrates, or is an example of true Christianity, the enjoined
and
forbidden things above will be demonstrated. Otherwise, the doctrine of God
our
saviour would not be adorned.
The Grace Of God Brings Salvation And Instructs (vv. 11-14)
The preceding verses emphasized conduct that adorns the doctrine of God our
saviour in all things. Such conduct is possible because of the grace of God.
The
grace that brings salvation has appeared (been manifested) to all men, not to
just a
select few, but to all, regardless of race or sex, who will accept it. It involves
God's
scheme of redemption that was manifested with the coming of Christ, His personal
ministry, selection of apostles, death, burial, resurrection for our justification,
and
the preaching of inspired apostles and prophets, evangelists, and dedicated
saints.
The gospel, God's power to save (Rom. 1:16), is the preaching of these facts
that
produce faith (Rom. 10:17), resulting in people's obedience (Rom. 6:17). If
God had
not sent His son to die for us and arranged for the revelation and teaching
of His
truth, man would be without hope. Our salvation, therefore, is by the grace
of God.
Please read the following passages which confirm this is what the grace of God
is
that brings salvation: Col. 1:6; Acts 11:23; 13:43; 1 Pet. 5:12; Heb. 12:15.
The grace of God that brings salvation also "teaches" (v. 12). It
teaches us that
there are some things we must deny (renounce or forsake). One such thing is
"ungodliness." Thayer says this is "a want of reverence toward
God." Even
professed Christians, besides people of the world, often do not show proper
respect
for God and His word. A second thing to be denied is "worldly lusts."
This is desiring
things of the flesh or world which are forbidden. (1 Jno. 2:15-17; Jas. 4:4).
The grace of God also teaches us a positive manner of life. We are to live
"soberly,"
which means a self-controlled life. "Godly" is showing proper respect
and
submission to God. "Righteously" involves rightly dealing with our
fellowman. These
are things we are to deny and do, or be, in this "present world" --
The here and now.
Verse 12 answers the question, What is my duty here on this earth?
Verse 13 points to the reward at the end of life's day for those who have been
saved
by the grace of God. This will be bestowed at the appearing of the great God
and
our saviour Jesus Christ. The "blessed hope" of the Christian is called
"our hope of
glory" in Col. 1:27. Peter wrote of "the glory that shall be revealed"
(1 Pet. 5:1). See
2 Tim. 4:6-8; 2 Pet. 1:5-11.
Christ's motive in making the supreme sacrifice for our salvation was that
he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and make us a special people of his own; a people
who
would be zealous in doing his works (v. 14). See Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12-13.
Paul's command to Titus to "speak, exhort, rebuke with all authority,
letting no man
despise thee" (v. 15) shows how important these things are to his own salvation
and
those who heard him.
by Herschel E. Patton -- Via Searching the Scriptures, October 1989, Volume 30, Number 10
Return to the New Testament Book of Titus
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