Sunday School 2-26-06 Titus 2(1 - 15)
Titus (Easton’s Bible Dicitonary)
The name Titus means “honourable.” Titus was with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, and accompanied them to the council at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1-3; Acts 15:2), although his name nowhere occurs in the Acts of the Apostles. He appears to have been a Gentile, and to have been chiefly engaged in ministering to Gentiles; for Paul sternly refused to have him circumcised, inasmuch as in his case the cause of gospel liberty was at stake. We find him, at a later period, with Paul and Timothy at Ephesus, whence he was sent by Paul to Corinth for the purpose of getting the contributions of the church there in behalf of the poor saints at Jerusalem sent forward (2 Corinthians 8:6; 12:18). He rejoined the apostle when he was in Macedonia, and cheered him with the tidings he brought from Corinth (7:6-15). After this his name is not mentioned till after Paul's first imprisonment, when we find him engaged in the organization of the church in Crete, where the apostle had left him for this purpose (Titus 1:5). The last notice of him is in 2 Timothy 4:10, where we find him with Paul at Rome during his second imprisonment. From Rome he was sent into Dalmatia, no doubt on some important missionary errand. We have no record of his death. He is not mentioned in the Acts.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus (from Lumina Bible Software)
RECIPIENT
Titus appears to have been one of Paul’s most trusted and valuable coworkers. Paul speaks of him (2 Corinthians 8:23) as “my partner and coworker.” According to Titus 1:4, he owed his conversion to Paul. It is clear from Galatians 2:1-4 that he was a Gentile, as his was a test case whether gentile Christians should be compelled to be circumcised. At that time Titus was with Paul and Barnabas in Jerusalem. Much later, at the time of Paul’s third missionary journey, he had two delicate missions to carry out for Paul in Corinth: the first pertained to the strained relationship between the apostle and the Corinthian Christians; the second related to the gentile collection for the Jerusalem church (2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 7:5-16; 8:1-24). If 2 Timothy 4:9-18 was written at the end of Paul’s life, then Titus went to Dalmatia after the time of this letter.
DATE
To date this letter with precision is difficult. Titus was left by the apostle in Crete to continue his work (Titus 1:5). Paul was in Crete briefly on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:7-13), but that could not have been the occasion referred to. In 3:12 Titus is called to come to Nicopolis (probably the Nicopolis in Epirus in Greece), as Paul had decided to winter there. Many have favored the view that after Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:16-31) he was released, carried out further ministry in various places (including Spain, Crete, and Greece), and then was arrested, imprisoned a second time, and finally put to death.
PURPOSE AND TEACHING
Although this letter is addressed to an individual colleague of the apostle, it has a minimum of personal references and exhortations. The growing and developing churches in Crete were Paul’s main concern. They were being bothered by false teachings that appear to have had Jewish elements, ascetic emphases, and a great deal of speculative discussion (Titus 1:10, 14-15; 3:9). In short, it seems that they were dealing with an early Jewish form of Gnosticism. Its advocates promoted this teaching “for base gain” (1:11, RSV). Titus and those whom he would appoint as elders were called upon to refute the wrong teaching and to provide the believers with healthy teaching (verse 9). Though this healthy teaching is not specified, it must have pertained to the saving grace of God in Christ, the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and the future coming of the Lord Jesus (2:11-13; 3:4-7). In this letter there is constant emphasis on the lifestyle that bears out the truth of the gospel—with application to different groups in the Christian community: older men and women, young women, young men, and slaves.
Crete (from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
the modern Candia. This large island, which closes int he Greek Archipelago on the south, extends through a distance of 140 miles between its extreme points. Though exceedingly bold and mountainous, this island has very fruitful valleys, and in early times it was celebrated for its hundred cities. It seems likely that a very early acquaintances existed between the Cretans and the Jews. Cretans, (Acts 2:11) were among those who were at Jerusalem at the great Pentecost. In [Acts 27:7-12 we have an account of Paul’s shipwreck near this island; and it is evident from (Titus 1:5) that the apostle himself was here at no long interval of time before he wrote the letter. The Cretans were known as proverbial liars. (Titus 1:12)
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Sound doctrine
The Book of Titus is similar to the 2 Books of Timothy which we have just finished studying in the fact that the elderly Apostle Paul is writing to a young protégé with warnings and encouragements for the conduct of their ministries. The first principle in the chapter we tackle is sound doctrine. The word sound means free from any error and doctrine means instruction or teachings. Our churches should strive to maintain sound doctrine in our preaching and teaching of the precious Word of God. I have often said this and will repeat it once again; you do not have to see every little thing in scripture the exact same way as I do in order for you to worship with us and work with us in this ministry. There are areas of scripture where good men come to different conclusions. As long as these things are not essential to salvation we can work together. There are principles of which we must agree. We must agree in the fact that there is one God and only one God. We must agree that Jesus is His only begotten son. We must agree that the Holy Spirit is also part of the Godhead. We must agree that the Word of God was inspired by God; written down by men and is unchangeable, eternal, and inerrant. We must agree that Jesus came in the flesh, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died in our place, resurrected back to life, ascended to the Father, and lives forevermore at the right hand of God making intercession for the saints. We must agree that He is coming back to rapture His church and take vengeance on His enemies. We must believe there’s a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. These things are principles which must be accepted and proclaimed or we have forfeited our right to be called a church. We have become only a social institution.
2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Behavior to live by
The Apostle now gives us goals to live by. These things are targets for us to stive for; character points we need to develop. Notice Paul commands that the “aged men” live thusly. He realizes young men must mature before they reach this plateau. They need to be maturing and growing, but patience must be shown to those of us who are young in Christ. Let us examine these guidelines more closely.
- Sober= abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use. We had a lesson recently about this same matter of alcohol, so I won’t get into it deeply again, but suffice it to say a person is better off to leave alcohol alone totally. I believe Christian people should show an example to the world and avoid any use of alcohol. Our witness would be better and our lives would benefit also. Drunkenness is an epidemic in American; we should try to alleviate that problem by being good examples to our neighbors and family.
- Grave= to be venerated for character, honorable. Christian people need to live lives which the world can grudgingly admire. They may not like our religion, but they should have to admit our lives are different from theirs. We need to develop character which one man I read recently defined as living right when no one is looking.
- Temperate=of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses, curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled. The world has very little self control. Drugs, alcohol, deviant sex, and many other things have invaded our culture; we often seem powerless to curb their influence. The children of God should live as one who understand good and evil and brings their own flesh under control.
- Sound in faith= conviction as to truth of God, a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. God’s people should not be wishy washy. We need to let people know where we stand. We also need to develop principles which are not subject to change. Jesus is Lord. Nothing will ever change that in my life. I won’t be talked out of it. It is truth.
- Charity= brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence. I often call charity love in action. Anyone can say they love someone; charity is when we demonstrate that love. When someone is hungry, it doesn’t do much good to say we love them; we need to provide them with food. When a child is cold, words won’t help much; we need to find them a coat. God is love, but we prove to the world that we love through charity.
- Patience= in the NT the characteristic of a person who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. The Scripture teaches us with patience we possess our souls. Satan can do very little with a man who is patient. When hard time come along; he endures and overcomes. Patience reminds him that hard times pass.
2;3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 2;4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Women
The Apostle now speaks to the ladies. Let's examine their directives.
• Holiness= befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God. The ladies are advised to live as befits godly people. They should strive to be examples in every facet of their lives.
• Not false accusers= prone to slander. It is a very dangerous thing to have gossip and innuendo spreading about. Our ladies must understand the damage that can come from false accusations.
• Not given to much wine= Christian women need to avoid alcohol also. The
damaging effects of alcohol will destroy marriages, reputations, and effectiveness.
· Teachers of good things= It is the responsibility of the elder women to teach the younger. Teaching can be done with words, but is better done by example.
· Sober= we studied this above so we will not belabor the point.
· Love their husbands= The family is the most important institution in the human experience. God created Adam; then created the family by bonding the man, the woman, and the commission to have children as the first directions to that man. The Scripture teaches husbands to love their wives, wives to love their husbands, and both of them to raise children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. By the way, a family is designed to be made up of one man and one woman. Any variance to that equation is not the same thing, no homosexual couple has the ability to be godly parents to children. People will call me names and say shouldn't these people be able to know the joy of having children. The answer is it isn't about their having children; it is about what is best for the child. Their own needs must be secondary to the need of a child to have a mom and a dad. No woman can be a dad; no man can be a mom!
· Discreet= curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate. The woman is to be in control of her own flesh also. We have lost the value of discreetness in our women in America today. It has contributed to the breakdown of our society. Women at one time demanded that men marry them before moving in with them and baring children. These ideas are antiquated to some, but let me remind you once again that children need fathers. The overwhelming majority of people in prison today are from broken homes and homes where the father never was present. Nobody wants to talk about these things today, but women need to rediscover their pride and demand to be treated with the respect they deserve. Unfortunately today this filth has even spread into our churches. People living in open sin are sitting in our pews without rebuke from the pulpit and have their names on our church roles. It ought not to be.
· Chaste= modest, pure. Christian women need to be careful to present a holy image in the world. In dress, language, and actions, Christian women should be ladies!
· Keepers at home= caring for the house, working at home, taking charge of household affairs. A lot of things have changed since the day Paul penned this piece of scripture, but women still take more responsibility for housework, usually, than their husbands. I do believe fellows that if your wife is helping you pay the bills by working, it wouldn't hurt you to help her take care of the house a little bit. I am the guiltiest of all, but I think we need to be helpful. It just might get you a kiss on the cheek!
· Good= good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy. A happy home is one where both inhabitants try their best to make the other happy. If we put a smile on our face every day and speak kindly to our better half, I think we will have a happier wife and a happier life. A smile goes a long way towards a good day.
Obedient to their own husband= The literal meaning to this phrase is striking. It means a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden". God created Eve as a helper to Adam. She was made out of his rib not his head or his foot. I believe the ideal relationship of a Christian man and woman is one of mutual respect and dedication to create a prosperous union and a happy life. We get so would up about obedience, but I think if we understand two things about this concept it will help us with our objections. Number one, obedience is voluntary. Marriage is not slavery. The woman of God is correct to submit herself to the spiritual leadership of her husband. This is only in the Lord by the way. God does not expect a woman to obey her husband if he is asking her to sin. She is to submit to her husband, but not if it damages her relationship to God. Secondly, if husbands would remember their commandment which is "husbands love your wives" I don't think wives would have such a problem submitting. When love and respect is present, marriage works. When oppression and cruelty exist, there will be no submission. A woman does not submit out of fear. There are husbands that think this is true, but they are headed for a surprise. Sooner of later that woman will tire of the abuse and the marriage will fail. If it doesn't, think of how God's gift of life has been wasted by people who live in that manner. Marriage is of God and is holy. It is intended to enrich the life of those who are in such a relationship. It is not intended as torture.
• That the word of God be not blasphemed= The purpose of a Godly life is to bring glory to our Father. When men and women live for God, people notice. The world should envy our home lives. They will, if we live them according to God's Holy Word. When we live just like the world, we bring shame upon the cause of Christ and do damage to the witness of the efficacy of the Holy Spirit.
2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Young men
The word translated sober here means to of a sound mind, to put a moderate estimate of oneself, and to curb one's passion. Young men sometimes let their mouth's run before they used their brain. They want to run with an idea before it has been thought through. They feel it is impossible for them to fail. They do not see the danger signs that an experienced brother may perceive. They have a tendency to overestimate their value and ability. God is here warning them to take the time to curb their desire to accomplish and brag upon themselves. Age and maturity help with this problem, but we should strive to help them curb it as soon as possible.
2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 2:10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Principles Titus is to teach
• Show thyself a pattern of good works- Titus is warned to be watchful for his own life as he warns others. We must live what we preach or we will have no effect!venss to thje world. The old saying of "do what I do, not what I say" does not work in the real world.
· Doctrine= we spoke of doctrine and its value earlier in this lesson so we won't belabor the point. We will only say it is vital for a man who is going to preach the Word of God to study the Word of God.
· Sound speech= teaching which does not deviate from the truth. This includes what the preacher says from the pulpit and what he says on Main Street. We need to be faithful to the Word and make sure what we preach is Biblical. People are depending on the words spoken by the man of God. It is imperative that he understand how vital it is for him to be correct. The idea is so that the world will be "ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." If I preach false doctrine or am not honest with what I tell others, the world can rightly accuse me of being a false witness. If I am faithful to teach the Word of God and honor my own world in my dealings with the world, they must put some weight on what I am testifying about.
· Servants be obedient- Slavery in the scripture is nothing like the slavery Americans are more familiar with in pre-Civil war times. Please read Exodus 21 to better understand the concept of Biblical servitude. An Israelite could not be forced into slavery by his own countrymen. He could sell himself into bondage due to debt or misfortune, but the master was commanded to treat him very well. The scripture demands a master free a slave if he even would knock one of his teeth out. There was no whipping post. The master also could not sell off his family. When the slave was freed so was his family. The slave could also be redeemed at anytime by a relative. The foreign slaves didn't hold all the rights of a Hebrew slave, but God still demanded that they be treated well. If the Master decided to marry one of his slaves he had to treat her with the same affection he would owe to any wife. Slavery in Biblical times was more like working under contract. The slave is commanded here to be obedient and faithful to the master. The master was commanded to remember the slave is his brother. 1st Timothy 6:2
· Purloining= embezzle, withdraw covertly and appropriate to one's own use. Slaves in Biblical times often were in charge of their master's finances. If a person was so entrusted, he was not to break that trust with dishonesty. Christian people should be the most trustworthy people in our towns.
· Grace of God that bringeth salvation^ Jesus is the embodiment of God's grace and it is He who brought salvation to all men. He hath demonstrated the Love of God. Because of God's great gift we should live in the following principles.
· Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts= ungodliness means lack of reverence towards God, impiety. Worldly lusts are desires which have the character of this present corrupt age. Christian people need to realize this world is not our home. Our character is not to be like the world. We are commanded, empowered, and expected by God to live exemplary lives in the presence of the unsaved. Darkness can only be overcome by light.
Looking for the blessed hope^ What is the blessed hope of the Christian? The next phrase answers our question; "the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." He's coming back one day to rapture His church. Are you a part of that group? Do you want to escape the Great Tribulation and live with Christ and the saints of God throughout eternity? You need to prepare now! Listen to the words of Colossians 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Jesus Christ is our hope and the reason for our salvation. He is our all in all!
• A peculiar people= the phrase literally means a people selected by God from the other nations for his own possession. God desires a people who are dedicated unto Him. He is their God; they are His people!
• Zealous of good works= The word means burning with desire or most eagerly desirous of a thing. God's people have a built in desire to perform good works. They don't work to be saved or to stay saved; they work because they are saved. When Christ saves us He installs a desire for us to bless the lives of others.
• Speak, exhort, and rebuke= Speak means conversation or to use words in order to declare one's mind and disclose one's thoughts. We need to talk about God and Godly things sometimes when we are talking to others. Exhort means to encourage, strengthen, comforting, to instruct, and teach. Paul is here speaking of a more formal time of communicating. When we are speaking to others to comfort them or to teach them, we need to be careful to speak of Godly things. The churches of today, by the way, are in great need of exhorters. Satan is working harder than ever to deceive and discourage the faithful. If you are a natural exhorter please understand your gift if vital and much needed. Don't delay; get to work helping folks now! Rebuke means to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation, to chasten, to punish. Please realize that only the qualified are to try this. Young Christians and those who have not been trusted with the authority for such actions should avoid attempting to rebuke others. This is not your responsibility and will only bring you intense discomfort and pain. Notice the rebuke is to be with all authority. Authority means an injunction, mandate, or command. You do not possess the mandate to rebuke others. Someday you may mature to the point where the church asks you to fill such a role, but wait until that authority has been properly placed upon your life.
• Let no man despise thee= The goal of a minister of God is to help people and instruct people without making enemies. I have often heard preachers say, "I don't care who I offend." Those words are ignorantly spoken! I certainly care who I offend. I won't change the Word of God for your sake, but I will attempt to change myself and my presentation so that you will accept God's will in your life and be saved. I am to serve the Lord with humility and kindness towards my fellow man. God didn't call me to run them out of Church, but to herd them in!
New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)
1 But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have strong faith and be filled with love and patience.3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely in all they do. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won't have anything bad to say about us.9 Slaves must obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. 11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right. 15 You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don't let anyone ignore you or disregard what you say.
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