Titus 2
October 3
Reading: Titus 2
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
In contrast to the misbehaved false teachers that Paul warns Titus of in chapter 1, here Paul describes how God-fearing, obedient Christians ought to live. He speaks to Titus (vs. 1), then to mature men (vs. 2), to women (vss. 3-5), to young men (vss. 6-8), and finally to bondservants (vss. 9-10).
If you read verses 1-10 over a few times and meditate upon what Paul writes, you will become aware of the overall flavor of this instruction. Notice how often the word “self-controlled” shows up. We human beings are inclined to be self-centered combative busy bodies. Paul is instructing everyone to grow where God has planted them, to be obedient to God and to the authority God has placed over them. Moreover, we are to control the words that we speak. It is quiet kindness that God honors, not the ability to control our environment.
Today, we live in a society that claims to value pride, rebellion, and public demonstration. We are constantly encouraged to become angry about things, about everything. We are urged to protest. We want to project power. This is not the way that the Lord wants us to live.
What does a saved person look like? Paul presents the picture for all of us in verses 11-14. First, we read how we are not to live: in ungodliness and worldly passions. This includes sexual passions and perversions, seeking money and stuff, and wanting to win and get one’s own way.
Then we are told how we are to live right now. Three words are used: self-controlled, upright, and godly. People in this world ought to be able to look at our conduct and see God. Does your life display the love, kindness, and peace of the Lord?
Finally, we are told that we ought to be “waiting for our blessed hope.” Our hope is not in this world and the stuff we can accumulate. It is not about our best life now. Can people around you tell that you are living for eternity, looking forward to another world?