TITUS
Chapter Two
(vs 1) Paul now addresses five classes (groups) of members.
"sound doctrine" -- In contrast to the "fables" and
"commandments" of the Judaizing false teachers.
(vs 2) "aged men" -- be an example. What a responsibility!! The
older members are to set the standard for the
younger members.
"temperate" -- moderate. Older men are inclined to be
exasperated more easily.
"grave" -- serious minded, respectable.
"sober-minded" -- sensible, good judgment.
"sound in faith" -- a good knowledge of God's Word.
"in love" -- not bitter, but kind, understanding.
"patience" -- steadfast, accepting the difficulties that come
with age.
(vs 3) "aged women" -- Likewise, be an example.
"reverent in demeanor" -- holy, professing godliness.
1 Tim. 2:9-10.
"not slanderers" -- false accusers. As older women, they may
have more idle time, thus evil speaking.
"not enslaved to much wine" -- The women of Crete were given
to wine drinking. Note: "slave" The drunkard is a
slave to his/her drinking, rather than an example of
good works. The religion of Christ lifts women (and
men) out of their evil practices.
NOTE: One should want to influence as many other
people for good as possible. If one's "social
drinking" influences someone else to start drinking,
or to continue drinking, and some of these may become
alcoholics, are we using our influence properly?
"teachers...good" -- Good, rather than bad, is to flow from a
godly woman. We teach by example, as well as by mouth.
NOTE: This does not mean that she should teach
publicly, nor have dominion over a man.
1 Tim. 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 14:34.
(vs 4) Older women have the responsibility of "training" the younger
women. Seven qualities for younger women are listed by
the apostle.
"love their husbands" -- she is his help-meet. Eph. 5:22-33.
It is a two-way street. Love, respect, adoration, etc.
"love their children" -- Love will lead us to do what is best
for them; to bring them up in the nurture of the Lord.
Eph. 6:4 -- Admonition given to fathers, yet how
needful for mothers to follow the same course of
action.
(vs 5) "to be sober-minded" -- not frivolous, nor light headed.
"chaste" -- clean, pure.
"workers at home" -- keepers, managers of the home.
"kind" -- good hearted, affectionate,
"being in subjection..." -- God's plan. Eph. 5:22-33. She is
not to be a slave, but a help-meet. Nothing more
beautiful than a family reflecting God's will and
the place for husband, wife, and children.
"...be not blasphemed" -- Failing to present a loving family
according to God's will, will cause non-believers to
speak out against the church.
NOTE: The world is watching us. They see how we act
as husbands, as wives, as a family. Matt. 5:13-16.
NOTE: 1 Pet. 3:1-6. Beautiful arrangement
One exception -- Acts 5:29.
(vs 6) "younger men" -- You, too, have a responsibility to be
"sober-minded" -- exercising control over youthful desires.
(vs 7) "showing thyself" -- Titus was not only commanded to teach
and put in order the things lacking; but, he was to be
an example to those whom he taught. Timothy had been
given the same advice. 1 Tim. 4:12.
A teacher should practice what he teaches.
"good works" -- that approved of by the Lord.
"in thy doctrine" -- that which you teach.
"uncorruptness" -- Unmixed with the philosophies or
commandments of men.
"gravity" -- There is no more important job than the teaching
of God's Word. What a serious business!!! We are
dealing with the souls of mankind. Eternal life hangs
in the balance.
(vs 8) "sound speech" -- healthy, good, dependable.
"cannot be condemned" -- The world is watching, waiting for
the opportunity to denounce God's messenger.
"no evil thing" -- the false teacher could not find anything
wrong in that being taught.
"of us" (ASV) -- Paul puts himself in the mixture. Anything
said against Titus would be said against Paul also.
Paul and Titus taught the same thing.
Paul affirms he teaches the same in every church
(1 Cor. 4:17).
(vs 9) "servants" -- Paul now addresses servants, slaves; slaves who
have obeyed the gospel.
NOTE: Slavery was present at this time. The
doctrine of Christ did not seek to violently break the
existing relations, but it did regulate the treatment
of slaves and masters.
Paul sent Onesimus, a run away slave, back to
Philemon, to fulfill his duties. Philemon 1:10-18.
"subjection" -- an obligation to their masters.
"not gainsaying" -- cheerfully, no backtalk. cf. 1 Tim. 6:1-2
(vs 10) "not purloining" -- "To appropriate wrongfully and often by a
breach of trust." (Webster). To steal.
NOTE: How easy it would to take something belonging
to his master. Stealing is a sin wherever it is found.
"adorn the doctrine" -- allow the teachings of Christ to
guide them in their decisions. Do not bring reproach
upon the Savior. The master of a slave who was a
Christian should be able to trust him/her.
(vs 11) "grace" -- unmerited favor from God. Expresses God's love for
sinful mankind.
"bringing salvation" -- Christ died for all. Salvation is
within the reach of all. Rom. 5:8-11.
Yet, not all shall be saved. All have been invited
but, the majority refuse the invitation. 2 Pet. 3:9.
(vs 12) "instructing us" -- teaching us. It is by teaching that one
becomes a child of God. Rom. 10:9-17.
"denying ungodliness" -- all things contrary to God. God's
children cannot be guilty of walking in sin or evil.
"worldly lust" -- improper desires, the opposite of godliness
NOTE: Look at the three words which take the place of
"ungodliness" and "worldly lust";
(1) "soberly" -- sensibly, self-control, not frivolous
(2) "righteously" -- above reproach, being right with
Jehovah.
(3) "godly" -- include God in all your plans. How easy
it is to leave God out of our plans. He often
is left at church, or at home.
"in this present world" -- while here in the flesh. We are
now in the "proving" stage. Our lives must reflect
our relationship with God. As noted earlier, the
world is watching us.
(vs 13) "looking for" -- With great anticipation we await His coming.
Christ promised to return. Jn. 14:1-3. Paul affirms
His second coming. 1 Thess. 4:13-18.
NOTE: Christ is refered to as God (Deity) in other
places: Jn. 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Heb. 1:8; 2 Pet.
1:1. The ability to forgive sin(s) is an
attribute of Deity.
(vs 14) "gave himself for us" -- Jesus died in my/your place. As a
sinner, we all deserve to die; but Christ "gave
Himself for us."
"redeem" -- to buy back, to pay the ransom price.
"from all iniquity" -- We have been cleansed, washed. No
longer must we face our sins; we have been freed.
"purify unto himself..." -- Only those who have been cleansed
("purified") can come before the presence of Jehovah.
"own possession" -- we belong to Christ; subject to His will.
1 Pet. 2:9-10.
"zealous of good works" -- the results of our being
"purified," cleansed.
NOTE: The only works that are "good" are those which
are commanded (authorized) by the Lord.
(vs 15) "these things" -- that just discussed.
"speak" -- teach, these are important matters.
"exhort" -- admonish, plead with.
"reprove" -- for correction. God will punish the disobedient.
"with all authority" -- God is speaking through you. These
words come from the apostle himself, being guided by
the Holy Spirit.
"let no man...." -- Let no man take lightly these
instructions. Be sure that each class discussed
understands the importance of adhering to these
commandments.
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