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Titus 2 (web)

Teaching Godly Behavior

2:1 But say the things which fit sound doctrine,

2:2 that older men should be temperate, sensible,
sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience:

2:3 and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior,
not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
2:4 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
2:5 to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind,
being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed.

2:6 Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded;
2:7 in all things showing yourself an example of good works;
in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
2:8 and soundness of speech that can't be condemned;
that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

2:9 Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters,
and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;
2:10 not stealing, but showing all good fidelity;
that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.

2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
2:12 instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;
2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ;
2:14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

2:15 Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority.
Let no man despise you.

Discussion Questions

vs 2 Considering these characteristics of godliness, how would you describe a man who ungodly?
vs 3-5 What are characteristics of godly women?
What kinds of teaching concerning being a good wife should older women teach today?
vs 6-8 Considering the antonyms of these verses, how would you describe an ungodly young man?
vs 9-10 Who are slaves today? What should they be taught?
How does Christians practicing submission attract others to Christ?
vs 11-14 When did the grace of God teach you to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions? How has your life changed as a result?
vs 15 What does it mean by "let no one despise you"?

Comments

Instructions for Older Men

Titus 2:1,2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

While there are those who propose that "sound doctrine" is that which is advocated by certain post-Biblical theologians, in fact "sound doctrine" is that which is defined by the scriptures themselves. Teachings are to conform to what the Bible actually says. Therefore Paul said to Timonthy, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." 2Tim 4:2-4

"Older men" are not simply elders. Rather he is speaking generically of the mature among the assembly.

"Sober" is not simply referring to not being drunk, but to be reasonable - a serious person of a sound mind.

"Reverent" is one who is venerated for their character. Honorable, Noble (Php 4:8)

"Temperate" refers to curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled

"Sound in faith" goes back to verse 1, having sound doctrine. This came up in Titus 1:13.

"Sound in love" refers to the attitude with which one develops and applies the Bible.

"Sound in patience" refers to the longsuffering one endures for the sake of Christ.

Instructions for Older Women

Titus 2:3  the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things——

Here "reverent" is a different word than in verse 2. Here it's allude to sacredness. That is, that their behavior be holy, doing everything as unto the Lord.
 
"Not Slanderers" - women tend to particularly be prone to gossip. And where there's gossip, there's inevitably slander. Paul characterizes younger widows saying, "they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to." 1Tim 5:13

"Not given to much wine" -   "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Eph 5:18

"Teachers of good things" - Understand that Paul is instructing older Christian women to become teachers. And this likewise the case for me as well. In fact the writer Hebrews expresses frustration at older Christians not achieving this objective, "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again." Heb 5:12

While all the mature are instructed to become teachers, there is a difference between men and women with regards to whom they teach. For Paul also writes, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man" 1Tim 2:12a Rather Paul will next focus on whom the older women should be teaching.

Instructions for Married Women

Titus 2:4,5 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Older women should be disciplining young women. But notice in particular the focus of such teachings should be upon family, submission to the husband, behavior and attitude. If wives do not behave well with regards to their own family, that reflects badly upon the word of God. Thus Peter also says, "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." 1Peter 3:1,2

As for some of these other words:

"to love their husbands" is actually a single word "philandros". "Philos" is to love in the sense of "to like". So more literally younger women have to be taught to like their husbands. And similarly with "love their children". "philoteknos" is used. To love your husband and children is one thing. But the bigger challenge is to like them.

"discreet" is the same Greek word "temperate" found in verse 2 referring to curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled

"chaste" is pure with regards to sin.

"homemaker" is counter-culture to the modern feminist society in which we live, but consequently will cause such women to stand out as they put the value of their family above that of a career. This does not exclude carrying on business in support of the family. But in contrast it is not the role of the husband to be the "homemaker". So there is a role here intended to be unique to the wife.

Instructions for Younger Men

Titus 2:6-8  Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Christian Leadership should set the example. Jesus himself said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15 and Paul, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1Cor 11:1 Setting an example is a powerful teaching method. What have you been teaching others by your example?

Self-control is first on the list, particularly with regards to young men. And young men look to older men as an example. What do they learn of self-control from, for example, the waistline of those in Christian leadership? What do they learn of control sexual passions by the example of leadership? What do they learn of the disciple of hard-work and diligent study?

Leadership should also set the example in doing good. But with leadership comes the temptation to become conceited. Thus notice in John 13:15 mentioned above Jesus attempted to train his disciples in the humility of service by example, though time and again they tried to inflate themselves above others. (Lk 9:46; Acts 6:2)

Teaching the Word is a serious matter. "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." Pr 30:5,6 It should be taught clearly and with integrity, not mishandling the scriptures or using them as a springboard to say whatever one wants to say. Teach as if your every word was to be scrutinized in a courtroom, being brought to trial by your enemies who desperately seek to find something to accuse you of.

Instructions for Subordinates

Titus 2:9,10  Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

One of the virtues of the Christian life is that of submission to legitimate authority. It's take humility to play a subordinate role. And few embrace such a concept today where freedom takes precedence over all other things. But this is another area where Christians can stand out from the world.
1Peter 2:18,19 "Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God."
Employers today have a smaller realm of authority than masters of the slaves Paul speaks of. But nonetheless, employees need to be respectful and honest in their work, not stealing from them, but doing what they are payed for. In the end, their bosses should feel they can trust Christian employees.

By the way, notice the pattern of verses 3-10
The way you behave can win or lose a hearing for the gospel.

Grace says "No" to Ungodliness

Titus 2:11-13  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope— the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

If the grace of God revealed in the gospel isn't teaching you to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, then you have been listening to a different gospel. "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." Jude 1:4

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1Cor 6:9-11

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." Gal 5:24 

Those who have been born of God live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age with the anticipation of that which is to come. "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." 1John 3:3

Eager to Do Good

Titus 2:14,15  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

"We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph 2:10

God not only desires us to do good, and is grooming us to that end, but He wants us to be enthusiastic about it, taking initiative. But beware of the legalists who add the phrase "in order to be saved" to every command. For we do good not in order to be saved, but rather because this is what we were saved into. We do good as those who have already been saved and are eternally secure in our hope of eternal life.

As for Titus and for those who also teach the Word, don't give anyone legitimate cause for despising you. And don't tolerate Christians who despise you for sticking to the Word. Speak the Word confidently and with authority. For there will be those who will need to be confidently encouraged. And there will be those who need to be confidently rebuked.



The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources Jan 28,2022