Preparing the church for the future: How to minister various people groups.

Titus 2:1–9 KJV 1900

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 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. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

Paul now does a full contrast of the end of chapter one. Remember this is a letter we did not get chapter and verse references until 1557. Some latin versions had them as early as 1205.

Paul says the pastor should deny those that claim to know God but deny him in their works. To do this we must know what is sound teaching.

Hygiainouse (sound) gives the sense of being correct or healthy. conceived as being free from infirmity or disease.

didaskalia (doctrine) gives the sense of teaching content of what is taught.

Older

Older in the first-century context refers to people over the age of 50

older Men is the word presbytas one of the words that are synonymous with the title we now call pastor. But this context is clearly talking about men who are older between 50 and 60 years of age. The sense is that the individual is not yet at the last of his days but is in a less productive stage of life.

Sober nephalious means: not given to any extremes in behavior; perhaps especially in terms of alcohol.

This fits a qualification of a pastor and a deacon.

1 Timothy 3:2 KJV 1900

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

another term that could be used as a synonym is sensible or self-controlled.

Grave or Worthy of respect, semnous, gives the sense of being dignified or worthy of esteem; especially on account of one’s behavior.

Temperate sophranas, means prudent; self-controlled. Moderate, wisely keeping self-control over one’s passion or desires. This is someone who does not blow up when someone disagrees with their point of view. Someone who can keep an even head when someone rejects truth.

sound in faith. This person has a healthy and accurate understanding of the content of the good news of Jesus’ way of salvation.

Charity a string positive emotion of regard and affection.

patiences hypomone gives the sense of steadfast endurance, the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary.

Men as the leaders of the home and church should learn these characteristics if they desire to serve Jesus well.

Women

The main reason we know that the word presbytas means older men rather than pastor is that the feminine form is used as well in this context. Presbytidas is only used once in the New Testament. It is understood to mean an older women not yet in the last days of life, but less productive than before. First century readers would understand this to be someone who has reached the age of 50.

Not to be a false accuser. Diabolous literally means devil. Gives the sense of a slanderous person characterized by attacking the reputation of another by slander or libel.

The term not given to wine is pretty clear, it means not addicted to the fermented juice of grapes. We must understand that wine was a common cultural remedy for illness. And also an acceptable drink for celebrations. This is why it says not given (enslaved) to much wine.

Teachers of good things kalodidaskolous is another term that is only used once in the New Testament. it means marked by teaching what is good.

Younger

Women

Understand their need to learn. The need to be instructed by such older women as we have just learned about.

love their husbands philandrous literally translated would be husband loving. Characterized by love for one’s husband.

Philoteknous literally translated would be children loving.

discreet is the same as prudent or self-control over one’s passion and desires.

chaste hagnas menas pure; innocent having no faults.

Keepers at home oikourous means busy at home and gives the sense of diligently caring for one’s house and household; especially understood as if a trade or vocation.

good means having desirable or positive qualities.

obedient hupotassomenas to be submissive - to be or become inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others.

This is to be done that the Word of God is not blasphemed.

Men

sober minded sophronein to think and live wisely in self-control over one’s passions and desires.

a pattern of good works

sincerity aphtharsian means incorruptibility the inability of an organic substance to breakdown or decay.

Debtors

slaves were those who were bought due to an outstanding debt owed.