We’re continuing to study this Letter of Paul, written to a younger pastor named Titus. This chapter contains elements that some who read these words will consider “old fashioned” because our so-called “modern” culture has traveled far down the road into degeneracy. This book called “Titus” actually contains much that we desperately need to hear today.
In the preceding chapter, Paul warned Titus to look out for false ministers who are far from the truth and drag others down with them. “But as for you,” Paul says in Verse 1, “speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” The false words and actions highlighted in Chapter One are now contrasted with that which is true. “Sound” here actually meant “healthy.” There are teachings in the world that may sound good, but if you continue to receive them, you’ll get sick inside your soul. Paul expected much better from men like Titus. With God’s help, with the help of His Word and His Spirit, you and I can be healthy inside, now and forever.
We are intended to grow to maturity after we trust in Christ, but all too often Christians remain immature - vain, arrogant and proud. Churches and individuals subtly exclude outsiders and exhibit contempt for those who don’t worship exactly like they do. Instead, as we see in Verse 2, “older men” (elders) are to “be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love(and) in patience." “Sober” means “free from the use of intoxicants.” “Reverent” or “grave” meant “seriousness of purpose coupled with respectable actions.” “Temperate” is “sober conduct.” “Sound in faith” meant we are to be healthy in what we believe. “Love” here is the Greek word “agape,” relating to unselfish, utter love for others. And we are being given patience.
The word translated “older women” in Verse 3 is the feminine form of “elders” as seen in Verse 2. Women are to be “reverent,” not only in words, but also in action. Paul especially warns women to not be “slanderers,” which is the Greek word “diabollo,” from which we get the English word “diabolical.” Slander is gossip, which was rampant then, just as it is now. Godly women, like the men, are additionally not to be enslaved by intoxicants. And note that women are to be “teachers of good things” especially helping the younger women of the church.
The word for “love” in Verse 4 is a form of the Greek word “phileo,” which is literally a love for mankind. In other words, it is an attitude of kindness in which others are treated humanely with tender affection. Younger women are to be taught to love their husbands, love their children. The younger women are also to learn to be “discreet,” a word that meant “self-controlled and of a sound mind.” Women are to be “chaste,” best translated as “pure from every fault.” “Homemakers” in Verse 5 is literally “stayers at home,” a strange concept for “modern” people. “Good” here is best translated “kindness toward others.” And by the way, does a married woman always have to stay home as housewives? The answer is – no. All of us are to be guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit. “You are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
“Obedient to husbands” is an even stranger concept at this time in history, but it really means to “listen” to your spouse. How many times have we seemed to be listening to others, but were really off in our own thoughts about what we are going to say next? It’s a problem in group prayer. Are we really praying with the person who is now speaking to God, or are we busy forming our thoughts about what we will pray when it’s our turn? It’s not only women - we must ALL learn to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
“Likewise,” as it continues in Verse 6, the men and women who are elders in the church are to “exhort the young men to be sober-minded.” “Exhort” in that verse is to “urge someone to pursue a course of conduct.” Notice that young people are not to be yelled at, belittled, humiliated or made to feel guilt-ridden. We are to help people, not belittle them. That idea is also seen in places like Ephesians 6:4, where Paul urged fathers: “Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
It isn’t our works that save us, but instead we are saved by grace through faith to a life of good works. That’s the understanding of Paul, as seen in places like Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Paul presented precisely that idea in his instruction to Titus (Verse 7) - We should be “showing (our lives)to be a pattern of good works…” Our “doctrine” will be consistent from Scripture, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, reflecting integrity, reverence toward God, incorruptibility, sound speech and more.
Verse 8 alludes to an “opponent” who is frustrated by your clean, holy and just life. He or she may hate you, but they are frustrated, “having nothing evil to say of you.”
In what you might call old-fashioned times, people everywhere often were diligent workers, helpful to the public, especially because they willingly became well trained in what they did. In our modern world, you may call the tech support line and discover they are of no help because most don’t know what they’re talking about and don’t care enough to change. The word for workers in that context is “servants,” who are to be encouraged to “be obedient… to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back” with sarcastic responses.
“Not pilfering” (Verse 10). I was surprised when going through my late father’s things to find many staplers, staples, pens, pencils and more, that seem to have been taken from his places of employment. We are instead to show “good fidelity,” that we may "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” People know who we are. They sense Christ in us. To be disobedient thieves who are in life only for ourselves is a bad testimony which is confusing to all.
In Verse 11, we find “the grace of God that brings salvation,” and He is actually clear to all of us. Deep inside, even the most outspoken atheist knows, at the bottom of his or her soul, that God exists and has provided the way of salvation to anyone who merely says “yes” to the Lord. The reason they do not give themselves to Him immediately is twofold – They don’t WANT to surrender control to Him and they look at arrogant Christians and don’t want to be like them.
Paul continues in Verse 12 that through the grace of God we are taught to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. We are to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Each and every moment of every day, we are to be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Verse 13). We became a lost race of beings, fit only for destruction, and yet God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, and what we are to do is believe in Him (John 3:16). Jesus didn’t need to leave the security and joy of eternity, but He did, and He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Verse 14).
Do you want to be changed for the better? Do you want your life to be meaningful? Are you ready to stop trying to live life in your own strength? Give your heart to Jesus Christ, who loves you so much that He died in your place, and then “speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority..." Paul concludes, “Let no one despise you” or your faith. There is nothing old-fashioned about who and what you are. You are the Lord’s and He will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). He really does love you and me.
Lord, I want to live with and for You, now and forever. I trust in You now. In Jesus Name. Amen.
