INSTRUCTIONS FROM PAUL TO TITUS

(Lesson 4)

INTRODUCTION:

1. The key word in the Pastoral Epistles is “doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

2. The primary function of the church is to win people to Christ and then teach them sound (healthy) doctrine (cf. Titus 1:9; Acts 2:41, 42).

3. Here in Titus chapter 2, Paul gives instructions for the “aged men” (2:2), “aged women” (2:3), “young men” (2:6), and “servants” (2:9).

I. THE AGED MEN (2:2)

1.The aged (mature) men are to be:

· sober (Titus 2:2) = not a drinker. Sober also means “serious-minded.”

· grave (Titus 2:2) = dignified, the sort of person people respect.

· temperate (Titus 2:2) = self-controlled, wise, sagacious, discreet.

· “sound in faith” (Titus 2:2) means “sound in the Christian faith.” Prince Charles has stated that when he becomes the king of England, he might change his title of “Defender of the Faith” to “Defender of Faith,” to reflect his apostate religious views. But while Prince Charles is obviously a lost soul, true Christian men should be “sound in the Christian faith. Christian maturity and spiritual development should be evident in the lives of older Christians.

· “charity” (Titus 2:2) is love. This is what Christianity is all about. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (I John 4:7).

· Finally, older men in the church are to be characterized by “patience” (Titus 2:2b). This means “patient endurance.” Youth wants things done right away, but age brings the awareness that one must learn to wait. We saw some of these Christian virtues Sunday morning in II Peter 1:5-8. I quoted J. Allen Blair, who said, “Temperance has to do with the temptations that spring up from the inside of the believer while patience faces those from the outside.” Immediately after the service I was reminded of my need for patience when some fellow parked his car in front of the laundromat, making it difficult for us to get out of the parking lot.

II. THE AGED WOMEN (2:3-5)

1. The aged (mature) women are to be:

· “Likewise” (meaning vs. 2 applies to them too)

· as becometh holiness = reverent in their behaviour and demeanor

· not false accusers = lit. “not devils,” not gossips

· not given to much wine = some take this verse to justify “social drinking” or moderate wine drinking. (I do not think Christians should drink alcohol.) In Bible times there were basically only two beverages: water (often unsafe to drink) and wine, fermented and unfermented. The fermented was usually diluted 7 to 1.

· teachers of good things = teach by example and precept (vss. 4, 5).

2. What they teach:

· to be sober (2:4; cf. vs. 2)

· to love their husbands and children (2:4); i.e. the family comes first

· to be discreet (2:5). Unfortunately many women are indiscreet. This means they are to be careful, self-controlled.

· chaste (2:5) means pure

· keepers at home (2:5). Outside work should never come before the home. Many women put their career first.

· good, obedient to their own husbands (2:5; cf. Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18; I Peter 3:1-5)

· that the word of God be not blasphemed (2:5). The world often judges religion, not by its doctrines, but by its effects on its adherents. The Gospel should make a woman a better wife, a better mother, a better neighbor, and a better citizen. If she is an unruly wife, the word of God is blasphemed. For example, if a Christian wife is married to an unsaved man, the husband will likely blame Christianity for his wife’s shortcomings. So will his worldly friends and relatives, etc.

III. YOUNG MEN (2:6-8)

1. It was Titus’ duty to exhort the young men in a brotherly way. Note the emphasis on “sober-minded” (2:6; cf. 1:8; 2:2, 4). It means serious about the things of God, balanced, self-controlled, mature in the faith.

2. Titus was to set a good example (2:7). He was to be a role model for the young men. Paul said in I Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” The Lord is to be our Great Example, and we are to follow Him. But we are also influenced and helped by other Christians.

3. Young people should look up to the older believers in the church and visiting preachers and missionaries. We should read good biographies, etc. NOTE: “doctrine” and “sincerity” (2:7).

4. “Men will forgive a preacher if he is not eloquent or highly cultured; they will forgive him if he lacks in personal attractiveness, or even in wisdom; but they will never forgive him if he is insincere. He who handles holy things must himself live in the power of them” – HAI.

5. Titus was to be careful that he gave no occasion for the devil’s crowd to level an accusation against him or his ministry (2:8). By exemplary life and speech Titus would make those opposed to him ashamed of themselves. “Having no evil thing” means having no legitimate evil thing.

IV. SERVANTS (2:9-15)

1. In the early churches there were many slaves. “In fact, 90% of the names on the walls of the catacombs are those of slaves or ex-slaves” – J. Vernon McGee.

2. “Not answering again” (2:9b) means not talking back.

3. “Purloining” (2:10) means stealing. Pilfering was common amongst slaves, and common amongst employees today.

4. Recall the moral condition of the people of Crete (cf. 1:12, 13).

5. A Christian servant should have a good testimony – “…but shewing all good fidelity” (2:10) – showing faithfulness, being trustworthy.

6. “That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (2:10). “Adorn” is an interesting word. When we make the doctrine of God attractive we exhibit its power and its truth in our lives.

7. Many employers have been saved through the good testimony of their employees. While Paul is addressing servants (cf. 2:9), the application is for all believers.

CONCLUSION: NOTE: “God our Saviour” (2:10; cf. 2:13, “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”). There is only one Saviour (cf. Isa. 43:11; Luke 2:11).

<< Back Next >>