“Journeyman and apprentice”
Titus 2:1-10
Ch. 2:1–3:01 Apprenticeship program
Vs. 1-3 A recipe for a healthy church
Vs. 4-8 Nurture not left to nature
Vs. 9-10 Employee of the Year
Introduction
Reading Paul’s letter to Titus causes us to realize that our Lord is not interested in us becoming people who have spiritual and religious theories or philosophies. He wants His people to live outwardly transformed lives; this is what He calls sound doctrine. We are called to live for eternity today, not sit on the sidelines and wait for Him to come! Bookshelves full of theological books don’t stand a chance next to a loving, well-ordered home. The things listed by Paul are a recipe on how to have a healthy church.
Vs. 1-3 A recipe for a healthy church
Vs. 1 Paul commands Titus to teach “sound doctrine”; the idea behind this phrase isn’t right thinking; it’s right living. In fact, the New Living Testament interprets this verse as “Promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching.” Many people, even those within the church, cannot escape the fact that the Bible is a book that tells us HOW TO LIVE! People would prefer to have teaching that would inspire and encourage, not teaching that would convict and correct! In Matthew 28:19-21, Jesus said that we were to teach “them ALL THINGS that I have commanded you.”
Vs. 2 In general, older men need to conduct their lives with the wisdom and grace that age and experience have given them. They also should have both a disposition and stability that are often lacking when we are younger. These four standards are for all older men in the church and for the younger men to be trained by the older with a goal to these standards:
- Sober: Paul doesn’t say “sober-minded.”The exhortation is to be temperate in the use of intoxicating drinks. It is not an all-out ban but moderation and discretion. It is interesting that this is the first quality mentioned, as it may not ensure that the others will comply, but it would no doubt increase the odds.
- Reverent: The word means dignified, or perhaps we would say “classy,” and speaks of a person who, when they speak, people pay attention not only for the wisdom and experience in which they speak but also the humility.
- Temperate: This Greek word describes an attitude of the mind that leads to a self-controlled life and is the opposite of a careless life. We are to be people who live with a purpose and can’t afford to waste time, for we realize time is short.
- Sound in faith, in love, in patience: Older men should know what they believe, but also be able to not only communicate what they believe with words but also by action. The word “patience” is a word that means “active endurance” and not “passive waiting.”
Vs. 3 The use of the word “likewise” suggests that the older women were to have the same four qualities as the older men plus four additional ones.
- Reverent in behavior: They must applaud a behavior that reflects a transformed life, one lived in holiness and grace.
- Not slanders: the Greek word for “slanders” is devil, and the meaning is that they must not be “false accusers” picking up gossip and spreading it around. This was an apparent pastime on the island of Crete. Slander and gossip are quite literally satan’s work. It is a horrible reality that most people would rather hear a story that defames a person than one that speaks of their goodness.
- Not given too much wine: Like the men, the above admonitions are made a lot easier if a person isn’t intoxicated. A woman who is long in drink will soon wear short on every person’s patience.
- Teachers of good things: Experienced godly women are a great asset to the body of Christ and specifically younger women whom they ought to be mentoring. They can mentor them with regards to so many aspects of life.
Just like in the family, the spiritual health and wellbeing lie in the hands of older, experienced, and mature believers who have both the experience and time to serve others. They are a great benefit to the church and are a great blessing to the body of Christ.
Vs. 4-8 Nurture not left to nature
Vs. 4-8 Titus was not to teach the young women directly; instead, he was to equip and encourage the older women to teach the younger. Their instructions were to begin with home, as young mothers are given a strategic and influential position in God’s work. There are 6 things that older women were to teach younger women:
- Love their husbands, to love their children: The greatest priority for a godly home is LOVE, and the order of this is husband first, children second. If the young woman set this at the top of her accomplishments, her home would be a success. Our western society is very different from the ancient Eastern society when it comes to love and marriage. In our society, love and romance come before marriage, but in ancient eastern society, marriage was often before love and romance, and the young couple would need to learn to love each other. What is interesting is that although such love for their husbands and children would be instinctual, Paul believed that the Biblical perspective must be taught and that nature must not be just left up to nature.
- To be discreet: This is the same word rendered “sober-minded” and “temperate” already and points to right thinking controlling right actions. As parents, we need to discipline ourselves before we can discipline our children.
- Chaste: The word means “pure of mind and heart,” as wives are to be true to their husband in mind, heart, and actions.
- Homemakers: This doesn’t suggest that the home is to be the prison that keeps a wife and mother, but rather that the wife and mother are managing the household as part of her ministry.
- Good: This word in the Greek can be translated “kind,” which means that she does not run the household like a dictator but rather as a kind servant.
- Obedient to their own husbands: What this is referring to is that she understands the biblical order of the home, which love rules. Where the love of God and the love for each other rule the home, there is never a problem with obedience and biblical order, as both husband and wife desire the same things: to glorify God and serve their spouse. Notice that Paul adds that not having love rule the home is to give a clear shot that those who observe the family will speak against the God we claim to serve.
Vs. 6-8 The word “likewise” is a linking word that shows that young men needed to learn things similar to younger women. The message of godly living was to permeate every fabric of the Christian family. They were to be urged to “take life seriously,” as often young men squander time and forget that it is not a replenishable commodity. A teacher’s best sermons are caught, not taught; that is, they are visible in their actions, not just their speech.
- Sober-minded: Titus must be a good example in all things; whatever he wanted the church to be, he must be first. In Matthew chapter 23 verse 3, Jesus said that the Pharisees were hypocrites because “they say and do not!”
- In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works: The Greek word for pattern is where we get our English word “type,” as it meant an impression made by a die. The word rendered “incorruptibility” is also rendered “sincerity,” and in Greek it means “without wax.” In Greek culture, they were very into marble sculptures, but the artists often made mistakes that couldn’t be repaired and would make up a mixture of beeswax and stone powder to fill the gaps. The only way to see if the sculpture was incorruptible was to place it in the sun and wait to see if it was truly “without wax.” Saints, we are to be placed in the SON to make sure we are without flaw.
Titus was to be more than an instructor or communicator; he was to be an example or pattern for others to follow. To shepherd the flock of God is not to punch the clock, as we are always on duty 24/7. We do not practice our calling only on the job or behind the pulpit but everywhere. When our conduct matches our conversation, those who disagree with both will be ashamed and embarrassed to say anything against us, as Jesus said to the angry mob in John 8:46, “Which of you convicts me of sin?”
Vs. 9-10 Employee of the Year
Vs. 9-10 Titus was to teach bondservants about their specific duties as Christians. Believers were to be obedient to their masters for the masters sake. They needed to be the best workers in their masters household. Paul wanted these Christian slaves to be the best examples of believers they could be, and he warns them of three common sins they must avoid:
- Disobedience: The employee is to obey their boss and seek to please them, which means going beyond what is expected or demanded. They must do so from the heart, not begrudgingly. This ought to be especially true if you are blessed to work for a believing boss, but even if not, you ought to be the best employee they hire.
- Talking back: This includes not only talking back, but griping and complaining as well, especially to other employees. This can be challenging for an employee who may very well know the job better than the boss or the supervisor. It is a bad testimony to all when a Christian employee complains and gripes about who they work for or their bosses.
- Stealing: It was commonplace in that day for a slave to pilfer small items from their master to sell and then report that they had been broken or lost. Christian workers must not steal objects or time from their employers. The number one loss for companies is house theft and the loss of productivity. Millions every year are taken, often from Christians who claim that their employer owes it to them.
Titus 2:11-15
“Amazing Grace”
Vs. 11, 14a Redeeming Grace
Vs. 12, 14b Reforming Grace
Vs. 13, 15 Rewarding Grace
Introduction
In the 2nd chapter, Paul wrote to Titus about God’s plan to transform society; in short, it resembles apprenticeships, where it is the responsibility of the more experienced and mature to train up the younger. Christian advancement wasn’t to rely upon the philosophical or academic sciences as the Greeks had; the push from Jesus and the early church was not to establish educational institutions. The training in the Christian life was practical, relational, and transformal in nature. Followers of Christ had NOT gotten a degree or passed a prescribed course of study; they were followers of Christ because they had each experienced a personal relational encounter with the Living God! The training of fellow believers on how to live in the Christian life would continue to require personal and relational interaction with their fellow believers.
Nothing I know of can better explain the failure of the modern evangelical church in our society than our moving away from what was commonplace in the early church and continues on in many places in churches our side of the Western and European traditions. If for no other reason than this every Christian, pastor, and church ought to spend regular time in the pastoral letters of the New Testament that we may right the ship so we can stay the course. To better examine this passage, I have broken it apart not upon a numerical sequence of verses but rather of themes that Paul writes about.
Vs. 11, 14a Redeeming Grace
Vs. 11: To further illustrate the methodology of Christian training Paul points out to Titus the nature of God’s revelation to man. Notice that he says that “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” We don’t go out and GET salvation; the grace of God brings it. The significance of this statement is understood in the context not of those who physically witnessed the appearance of God’s grace during Jesus’ earthly lifetime, but rather His appearing to ALL MEN, which is still continuing to happen. Paul’s point is that our salvation and sanctification are relational, as he didn’t say, “Turn to page 30 in the Gospel.” His appearance is not “discovered or learned,” it is experienced through the Spirit via His life, death, and resurrection when we trust Him. His appearance is for all who receive Him, according to 1 Timothy 2:4-6. As we examine these five verses, we see that the “grace of God” does three things for those who believe:
- Vs. 11a, 14a REDEEMS US: The Greek word for redeem means to “set free by paying a price.” Jesus paid the price for our slavery to sin. The Greeks knew something about slavery, and because of this, they understood the word redeem. By Jesus’ death, whereby He gave Himself as the only ransom for our sins, meeting the just demands of God’s law, we have been set free from bondage. There are several points Paul makes about our redemption:
- Universal: Salvation is universal in need because “ALL MEN” are in bondage, thus the remedy requires a universal remedy in Jesus. The cure for what ails us is Jesus—not works, not education, not a good environment.
- Complete: The fact that Paul writes to Titus that “Jesus GAVE Himself for us”, reveals that what he did was completely voluntary. This redemption is further explained in verse 14 by Paul, as he says that our redemption is “from every LAWLESS DEED.” Our redemption is not just to save us so that we will be one day in heaven with Him, but to save us from bondage to sin NOW, as Paul writes in verse 14, “that He might redeem us from EVERY LAWLESS DEED.” Sin is not to be our master any longer.
Vs. 12, 14b: Reforming Grace
- Vs. 12,14b REFORMS US: The Greek word for “teaching” is a word that speaks of what a parent does for their child, training, which involves three aspects: encouragement, correction, and, discipline. The same grace that redeems us also reforms our lives and makes us godly, as grace not only changes our “position,” it “teaches us,” and reforms four things:
- Attitude: vs. . 12 “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.” Paul puts this in the negative, and the word “ungodliness” means whatever is “unlike God.” Grace puts ungodliness and worldly lusts in our past as we renounce these things, not just avoid them. We no longer desire the things that are not like God. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he said in 2:4 that it is the “goodness of God that leads us to repentance.” The more we appreciate the grace of God that has been lavished upon us, the more our attitude about the things that are against God changes. If our attitude hasn’t changed towards “worldly lusts,” it reveals that we have either not experienced it and gone by God’s grace or forsaken it!
- Appetite: vs. . 12: “We should live soberly, rightly, in this present age.” Next Paul speaks of the fact that grace reforms our spiritual appetite, as all of these qualities are positive in nature. Grace teaches us to live self-controlled lives as well as living rightly towards our fellow man. Notice as well that these “positive appetites” emphasize our relationship with ourselves first, which then changes how we will have relationships with our fellow man.
Paul says that these appetites are neither “for” nor “like” this present age, as Christ has redeemed us from this present age according to Galatians 1:4, and Paul wrote to the Romans in 12:1-2 that we should not be conformed to this present age. In Ephesians 2:2, he wrote that we must not walk according to its standards.
- Ambition: Vs. 14 “and purify for Himself His own special people.” Paul continues to write to Titus that grace reforms not only our “attitude and appetite,” it reforms our ambition, as we now are ambitious towards that which purifies and demonstrates that we are His own special people. This change in “ambition” is better known as “sanctification,” which is not merely a separation from sin, but a separation from sin because of a devotion to God! What makes us special is not just what we are separate from but who we are devoted to too!
- Action: vs. . 14 “zealous for good works.” Finally, Paul writes that grace reforms our actions as we become “zealous for good works.” Our redemption produced a zeal to live rightly before the world. Because grace has reformed our attitudes, appetites, and ambitions, it naturally changes our actions to be zealot virtuous actions.
Vs. 13, 15 Rewarding Grace
- Vs. 13, REWARDS US: Paul says that the final thing that grace does for us is that it causes us to long for His return for us. Grace teaches us to live expectantly and prepare to see Jesus face-to-face. The “blessed hope” is not heaven or even glory but Jesus Himself face to face forever. Grace is such that it
- REDEEMS us from our PAST
- REFORMS us in the present
- REWARDS us in the FUTURE
When we see what grace has done in the past and in the present, we are naturally hopeful about the future and His soon return for us. Grace impacts every part of our life and every area of our life. Look at that phrase “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” as this is all in one article in the Greek, and as such, this phrase affirms that Jesus Christ is God. Saints, every believer who has experienced God’s grace should be living an expecting life, anticipating His return, living like those who will soon see Him face to face.
Vs. 15 Like Titus, we are directed to speak, exhort, and rebuke all with regards to the THREE LESSONS that grace teaches us. These truths about the work of grace in the believer were the words that Titus would use to exhort and, if needed, rebuke. They are a test we can use to see if our lives are truly impacted by His grace. In Paul’s final words in this section, Titus is to make sure that his words about grace match the way he lived so that no one would despise his message.