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Leaders, Set The Pace (2:1, 7-8)

Interpretation:

The things we say…

As Paul moves into roles for members of the church, he sets the stage first with Titus’ teaching. Paul addresses our teaching in two verses, one and eight. Notice what he says.

In verse one, Paul instructs Titus to “teach…sound doctrine” (v.1). This does at least two things. First, it stands in contrast to the false teachers who deceive with deceptive doctrine, and second, it leads to spiritual health and strength in the church. Paul uses an interesting word for “teach” — laleo. The typical translation for this word is “to speak or say.” It’s a good reminder that we, particularly leaders in the church, are always teaching. It may be with spoken words, and it may be in formal settings, or it could simply be the lives we live, which Paul will emphasize in a moment, but we are constantly teaching.

What we do…how we “behave” as the people of God…it should always be rooted in God’s truth. Orthodoxy must lead to orthopraxy, and right action can only flow from right belief. Are our beliefs rooted in Scripture? Are they centered on Jesus? These questions should always inform us and ground us and guard us, especially when we face the temptation of compromise in favor of relevance.

Then, dropping down to verse 8, it’s not just what you teach, but also how you teach. Paul lists three things that should mark our teaching: “integrity, dignity, and sound speech.”

Integrity — often translated as purity, it deals with something be undiluted, unmixed, and free of impurities. It’s not filled with opinion and fluff. It’s just pure truth. Now, the pure and unadulterated truth isn’t an excuse to be mean-spirited, but our message cannot be watered down by pop-culture.

Dignity — this deals with behavior that is worthy of respect. Again, the life has a direct impact on the message that is proclaimed.

Finally, sound speech. The message has to be sound or healthy. The picture is being free from infirmity or disease. It’s a good reminder that our words, if they’re not rooted in truth and backed up by a life worthy of respect, then they can be more harmful than helpful. It all works together to protect the message and the messenger, which is why Paul says when “an opponent” tries to bring an accusation against us, they’ll have “nothing evil to say.”

That’s the things we say, but as we just mentioned, leaders also set the pace by…

The things we do…

In verses 7, Paul focuses on how Titus lives, reminding him to “be a model of good works.”

A leader’s life should be an example of goodness in all things. Remember how false teachers were “detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work?” Genuine faith is a visible and tangible thing through the lives that we live. Paul is calling Titus, and church leaders by extension, to follow Jesus with their lives so that others may follow you.

This isn’t just proclaiming a set of abstract, ethical ideals. He wants hands and feet on the gospel. Our lives must align with God’s will, not just by what we say, but by how we live.

“Example is the most powerful rhetoric.” — Thomas Brooks

Illustration:

If you’re a parent, or a child…I think that catches most of us…then you teach your kids. You try to instill in them character traits like honor and honesty and friendship and selflessness. As followers of Jesus, we try to impart the gospel to our children, taking opportunities of sin and disobedience to remind our children of the gospel in hopes that they’ll turn their lives over to Jesus. We pray, and we speak of Christ often in the home, and we lead Bible studies with our families to teach them well. So, we speak truth to them.

But, our children are also watching us…all the time. It’s actually one of the great debates among child psychologists…nature vs. nurture. Undeniably, they see how their parents interact with others. They watch their values. They pay attention to their words. They see kindness and generosity, or the lack thereof.

As the children grow, they adopt the truths that they’ve heard and witnessed in our lives. It’s a reminder of how powerful it can be when consistent and true instruction is matched by the power of real-life example.

Application:

It works the same way in the church family. Leaders are responsible for setting the pace. Yes, they are charged with teaching sound doctrine, but also with living sound doctrine. Their example serves as a living message that teaches the body how to live as well.

Older Saints, Set The Example (2:2-4a)

Interpretation:

Paul begins with Titus, but quickly turns his attention to “older men” in vs.2. Paul describes the type of mature faith that should be evident in the older men as they, along with older women, set the example of godliness for the church.

They are “sober-minded.” They use sound judgment and are clear-headed in all areas of life, both their actions and interactions. They’re not given to emotional pendulum.

They are “dignified.” They’re worthy of respect, not just because they’re old, but because their lives command it.

They are “self-controlled.” Their passions are kept in check. They don’t live for every passing desire of the flesh, but they’re masters over their lusts.

They are “sound in faith.” They’re not double-minded doubters tossed to-and-fro on the waves of uncertainty. Their lives are fleshed out in confidence in the gospel.

They are sound “in love.” They model the affections of Christ, seeking to love God with everything they have and seeking to love others as they love themselves.

Finally, they are sound “in steadfastness.” They persevere in life’s difficulties and hardships, embracing challenges as opportunities to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

After addressing the men, Paul turns his attention to “older women” in verse 3. Their lives are to be:

“Reverent in behavior” — The idea actually deals with being priestly. Their lives are to model their devotion to God, much as a priestess would be devoted to service in the temple.

“Not slanderers” — The root word here is diabolos, the devil/deceiver. It’s deeper than just lying, but avoiding any speech that attacks the reputation of another. Slandering gossip actually aligns you with the work of Satan.

Not “slaves to much wine” — Beware of being dominated or influenced by wine. These last two were actually calling the older women to break from their common cultural norms. In Crete, older women could find themselves isolated and tempted to indulge in gossip and drinking. Instead, their lives should model temperate, self-controlled maturity as well.

This enables them to “teach what is good,” particularly so that the “young women” will learn “to love their husbands and children” (vs.4). Reverent lives marked by devotion to God will help the older women to mentor the younger women particularly in matters of faith, family, and life. Just as much will be caught as it is taught in our lives. This will pass on a legacy of godliness to future generations.

Illustration:

How many of you can point to these people in your life as you were coming up? Can you name them? For me, it's been Jon Kilpatrick and Jason Lawhon and Lewis Pollard and Larry Lawhon and Ronnie Harvey and Drew Burton and Kesley Colbert. There's more, many more, but these are just off the top of my head. These were godly men...not perfect men, but godly men…who not only talked the talked, but they made a genuine effort to walk the walk. What about you? Who were these older saints in your life? Now...here comes the hard part: who are the "younger" people in your life now?

Application:

I had a professor in seminary that was fond of saying the older generation doesn't retire...it re-treads. Maturity must be modeled for the younger generation, both from the men and the women. There's not a time in which we are called to step aside from pouring into others, even though that may look different as time marches on. Is your life setting an example? Does your talk match your walk?

Younger Saints, Follow The Lead (2:4b-6)

Interpretation:

Paul continues addressing the ladies, now turning attention to godly characteristics that “young women” should have as they are taught by the older ladies.

“Self-controlled” — It comes up again. It’s a reminder that every one of us will fight the fight of the lusts of the flesh, and we must reign in our inappropriate desires.

“Pure” — Faultless. Most scholars believe Paul is pointing to marital fidelity since so much of this section points to the home life. If a lady is unmarried, diligent to guard her purity. If she is married, diligent to guard her marriage relationship with fidelity to her husband alone.

“Working at home” — This isn’t a chauvinistic patriarchal hierarchy as the world would call it. It actually underscores a unique gifting women have in the home for shaping family values and helping the family as a whole to flourish. One commentator notes how mothers are gifted at household management.

“Submissive to their own husbands” — this highlights two things: 1.) husbands need to step up and take the lead, particularly in and for the spiritual health of the family, and 2.) submission is a gift that is freely offered first and foremost because it is pleasing to God, and second, because it is right. It’s not a gift that is dependent on the husband, though the husband certainly can make this a joyful endeavor as he loves his wife well through sacrificial service. It’s important to remember that healthy marriages are built on the rock-solid foundation of partnership, humility, a commitment to honor God, and the gospel of grace.

Finally, the young men. Do they get off easy? After all, there’s one tiny verse and a single matter in which the men are to be instructed: “be self-controlled” (v.6). I think we have an idea of what this means, so let’s try and wrap our minds around why it’s the one thing Paul emphasizes for young men.

In terms of strength, men are by nature stronger. If they do not practice self-control, they leave physical damage in the wake. A healthy use of his strength means he protects the innocent. However, left unchecked by self-control, it can quickly turn into physical harm and abuse.

In terms of passions and desires, it can lead to emotional abuses. Think of when a man aggressively asserts his control and fails to bridle his tongue…he can easily destroy his wife and children. Men have this unique gift to build others up, encouraging his wife in her beauty and worth. He can also declare his daughters lovely and beautiful and his sons courageous and strong. But, a man can leave others as a shell of themselves with an unbridled lashing of the tongue.

In terms of sexuality, his lust can be driven by conquest, leaving a trail of emotionally broken women in his wake. Unrestrained, sex becomes a tool for pleasure, seeking to divorce it from its true, spiritual nature. It takes a vicious toll on both the emotions and the soul.

In terms of leadership, God calls men to assume this weighty mantle. However, without self-control, we become domineering and manipulative, using others as a means to an end.

In terms of provision, man is called to ensure the family has what it needs. This is deeper than “being the bread-winner.” He’s willing to work and serve and do what’s necessary for the family’s needs. However, without self-control, he can become self-serving and selfish, turning inward instead of seeking the good of others. Further, it refuses to live humbly by following the example of Jesus who emptied Himself and refused His rights and privileges as God. A failure to exercise self-control in terms of provision can literally distort the picture of the gospel of grace.

Illustration:

Imagine where a young mother tends to her home, ensuring that her family thrives in both their faith and their daily lives. She’s been taught by older women in the congregation to embrace self-control, purity, and her role in shaping her household’s values. She honors her husband who is just as eager to live worthy of Christ’s call.

Meanwhile, her husband is very much on the same path, being taught by the older men in his church to practice self-control. He’s eager to do what’s right. He’s strong, passionate, and ambitious, but he knows that without discipline, these strengths will become destructive. Following the mentoring of the older men in the congregation, he learns to harness his desires, leading not with threat and dominance but with gentleness and control. He speaks life to his wife and children, building them up rather than tearing them down. His discipline extends to his work as well, and he doesn’t just strive for wealth, but to honor God with his integrity.

Together, they paint a picture of the gospel as their marriage is founded on love, honor, humility, and the grace of Christ. Can you imagine the impact this family would have in their church and community, not just now but for generations to come?!

Application:

Younger believers need to heed the example and follow the lead of the older generation in terms of godliness. At the heart of godliness for old and young alike is self-control. And, the great tug-o-war with self-control is the appetite of the flesh vs. the appetite of the spirit. That’s why I love this quote:

The heart will search for satisfaction. Will you look for it in the creation or in relationship to the Creator?” — Paul David Tripp

Servants, Display the Gospel (2:9-10)

Interpretation:

The last thing Paul deals with is the matter of “bondservants” and their relationships “to their own masters” (v.9-10). First, we need to understand 1st-century slavery.

Slavery was common in the ancient world and many slaves labored in agriculture, construction, and skilled labor.

The majority of household slaves were treated quite humanely, and many were able to find freedom from their master, and if not, they would be set free in the master’s will.

It was not based on race. Rather, most people were slaves because their were captured in war, born into slavery, or they were working to pay off a debt.

Paul addresses the issue of slave/owner relations because it was a common first-century relationship. With this in mind, Paul says, “be submissive…well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing…good faith” in an effort to display “the doctrine of God our Savior” (vv.9-10).

The heart of the matter truly is the latter part of Titus 2:10 “…in everything…adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Bondservants were to serve as a reflection of God’s beauty — they were serving as unto the Lord. How should they do this?

Seeking to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the master’s pleasure and joy.

Work hard and agreeably rather than with contention and strife, arguing and rebelling against the master’s authority.

Being honest in their work, not taking what didn’t belong to them, not skimping on the produce and work, and not stealing from the master’s house.

Thinking about this relationship and how the servant’s work is a reflection on God’s character, let’s consider two things:

Understand the power of the gospel and how it has a profound effect on relationships, particularly those that would naturally be contentious. That’s why initially, I didn’t want to state this as simply an employee/employer principle. The gospel dramatically affects HOW we live in relation to one another.

It can cross the cultural barrier to work relationships today. Think about this:

Colossians 3:23 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

So, our character in all that we do, which certainly includes our working relationships, reflects the character and our commitment to God. This godly work ethic, displaying godly character, makes beautiful and attractive the gospel of Jesus Christ. To think…how we approach our work can cause the gospel to be a pleasing aroma to others. It does beg the question, how do we approach our jobs?!

Paul instructs Titus to teach sound doctrine with integrity, dignity, and sound speech, emphasizing that both words and actions should align with God's truth so that leaders set an example of good works. He calls older men and women to model mature faith through self-control, dignity, love, and perseverance, so they can mentor the younger generation in godliness, passing on a lasting legacy of faith and integrity. Paul emphasizes the importance of self-control, purity, and godly roles for both young men and women as they reflect the gospel through love, honor, and disciplined living. Finally, he tells bondservants to serve faithfully, honestly, and with respect, because their work reflects God's character and reflects the beauty of the gospel, making it attractive to others.