Righteous Living
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Titus 2:1-8
Titus 2:1-8
a. Live to please God (2:1-5)
a. Live to please God (2:1-5)
b. Live to be a testimony (2:6-8)
b. Live to be a testimony (2:6-8)
1. INTRODUCTION
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BODY
2. BODY
a. Live to please God (2:1-5)
a. Live to please God (2:1-5)
i. This goes back to 1:10 which speaks of rebellious men, those who talk and lie about the truth, these people, don’t be like them. Paul goes on to talk about what they do, and in verse 16, he writes that they profess to know God but by their deeds, they deny Him.
i. This goes back to 1:10 which speaks of rebellious men, those who talk and lie about the truth, these people, don’t be like them. Paul goes on to talk about what they do, and in verse 16, he writes that they profess to know God but by their deeds, they deny Him.
ii. This reminds me of false teachers, as Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:7, that they are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Why do they never come to the knowledge of the truth? Because of 1 Timothy 1:16, they deny Him with their deeds. What Paul tells us is, those who are in the family of God, they not only understand and have knowledge of the truth, but their knowledge doesn’t stop intellectually. They understand it and apply it, which becomes experiential knowledge and truth.
ii. This reminds me of false teachers, as Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:7, that they are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Why do they never come to the knowledge of the truth? Because of 1 Timothy 1:16, they deny Him with their deeds. What Paul tells us is, those who are in the family of God, they not only understand and have knowledge of the truth, but their knowledge doesn’t stop intellectually. They understand it and apply it, which becomes experiential knowledge and truth.
iii. So Paul starts in 2:1 by telling them, but as for you, not like those rebellious men, but you, who know the truth, those of you who are the family of God, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Again, it goes back to the knowledge. Teach these things. 1:13, reprove them so that they may be sound in the faith. Help those know the truth.
iii. So Paul starts in 2:1 by telling them, but as for you, not like those rebellious men, but you, who know the truth, those of you who are the family of God, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Again, it goes back to the knowledge. Teach these things. 1:13, reprove them so that they may be sound in the faith. Help those know the truth.
iv. So in verse 2, you’d think Paul would tell them more about sound doctrine, but he immediately goes into the application of this knowledge. It is not enough to just know. If knowledge is understood, knowledge must be applied. So starting in verse 2, Paul introduces 4 categories of people. He starts in verse 2 with older men, then in verse 3, older women, then in verse 4 young women and verse 6, young men. What Paul is doing here is introducing every age group, he is speaking to all people because everyone will fit in one of these categories.
iv. So in verse 2, you’d think Paul would tell them more about sound doctrine, but he immediately goes into the application of this knowledge. It is not enough to just know. If knowledge is understood, knowledge must be applied. So starting in verse 2, Paul introduces 4 categories of people. He starts in verse 2 with older men, then in verse 3, older women, then in verse 4 young women and verse 6, young men. What Paul is doing here is introducing every age group, he is speaking to all people because everyone will fit in one of these categories.
v. So what does Paul say to them? Paul tells old men in verse 2 that they are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love in perseverance. I think we could say a lot about these things but I want to highlight the attribute that is mentioned in all 4 age groups. If you read the descriptions, Paul uses a word 3 times to help us understand what the most important characteristic of all believers is. So what is that word? In the English it’s translated as sensible. We see that word in verse 2, verse 5, and verse 6. So how do we define sensible? It’s interesting that this goes back to Chapter 1:8 where Paul goes over the characteristics and qualifications of an elder. What is interesting here is that Paul writes that the elder must be sensible, and then he repeats this by stating that he must be self-controlled. The Greek words here are different, but lend the same meaning. What’s interesting in 1:8 is that Paul writes that the elder must first be self controlled in his ability control himself, his actions, and then he says that the elder must be able to control one’s emotions.
v. So what does Paul say to them? Paul tells old men in verse 2 that they are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love in perseverance. I think we could say a lot about these things but I want to highlight the attribute that is mentioned in all 4 age groups. If you read the descriptions, Paul uses a word 3 times to help us understand what the most important characteristic of all believers is. So what is that word? In the English it’s translated as sensible. We see that word in verse 2, verse 5, and verse 6. So how do we define sensible? It’s interesting that this goes back to Chapter 1:8 where Paul goes over the characteristics and qualifications of an elder. What is interesting here is that Paul writes that the elder must be sensible, and then he repeats this by stating that he must be self-controlled. The Greek words here are different, but lend the same meaning. What’s interesting in 1:8 is that Paul writes that the elder must first be self controlled in his ability control himself, his actions, and then he says that the elder must be able to control one’s emotions.
vi. What we see from Paul’s description of an elder is that this man must be inwardly and outwardly self controlled. It really gives us a comprehensive understanding of what type of person is qualified to be an elder. We might think to ourselves who can be like that? Well, that is the calling. This is why Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:1 men should aspire, they should desire to the office of overseer, that they should desire to want to occupy the office of elder in the church.
vi. What we see from Paul’s description of an elder is that this man must be inwardly and outwardly self controlled. It really gives us a comprehensive understanding of what type of person is qualified to be an elder. We might think to ourselves who can be like that? Well, that is the calling. This is why Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:1 men should aspire, they should desire to the office of overseer, that they should desire to want to occupy the office of elder in the church.
vii. So when we borrow this language and descriptive description of the qualifications of an elder, Paul is borrowing that to help all men and women in the church to be self controlled. Older men and older women are to exercise self control in their outward and inward actions. For what? So that they can teach and encourage younger men and women how to lead their families.
vii. So when we borrow this language and descriptive description of the qualifications of an elder, Paul is borrowing that to help all men and women in the church to be self controlled. Older men and older women are to exercise self control in their outward and inward actions. For what? So that they can teach and encourage younger men and women how to lead their families.
viii. Why was this important? Well, during this time, it was a cultural norm that husbands routinely engaged in extra marital activities. It was normal therefore, that women also took on the new woman paradigm, where they would pursue their own freedom as well. This is why Paul addresses women earlier in his letter in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, because it was the cultural norm at this time that women were also exploring their own sexuality and doing what they wanted. This is why Paul addresses older women and younger women here in this section. It was to help women understand that although the world didn’t think much of the household, behavior and order in the home was an endorsement and fundamental to the Gospel.
viii. Why was this important? Well, during this time, it was a cultural norm that husbands routinely engaged in extra marital activities. It was normal therefore, that women also took on the new woman paradigm, where they would pursue their own freedom as well. This is why Paul addresses women earlier in his letter in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, because it was the cultural norm at this time that women were also exploring their own sexuality and doing what they wanted. This is why Paul addresses older women and younger women here in this section. It was to help women understand that although the world didn’t think much of the household, behavior and order in the home was an endorsement and fundamental to the Gospel.
ix. Paul specifically goes into this in verse 4, where he tells the older women to encourage the young women, to first, love their husbands and their children. When we think about sound doctrine, sound doctrine is accurately understanding the doctrine of God’s love for us. Then they should be self controlled, pure, kind, subject to their husbands, then there’s a purpose. The purpose here is that the Word of God would not be dishonored.
ix. Paul specifically goes into this in verse 4, where he tells the older women to encourage the young women, to first, love their husbands and their children. When we think about sound doctrine, sound doctrine is accurately understanding the doctrine of God’s love for us. Then they should be self controlled, pure, kind, subject to their husbands, then there’s a purpose. The purpose here is that the Word of God would not be dishonored.
1. The better translation here is that the Word of God would not be blasphemed. This speaks of the OT where God’s name was slandered because of Israel’s sin (Isaiah 52:5). But Paul writes this that others might not slander the Word of God because ultimately it will trace back to the Gospel and God Himself.
1. The better translation here is that the Word of God would not be blasphemed. This speaks of the OT where God’s name was slandered because of Israel’s sin (Isaiah 52:5). But Paul writes this that others might not slander the Word of God because ultimately it will trace back to the Gospel and God Himself.
2. Why is this purpose so important? Because that should be the reason and motivation all our actions are facing. We should always be concerned with how we live to please God in the unbelieving world. Our passion to live godly lives is to bring praise and bring glory back to God.
2. Why is this purpose so important? Because that should be the reason and motivation all our actions are facing. We should always be concerned with how we live to please God in the unbelieving world. Our passion to live godly lives is to bring praise and bring glory back to God.
b. Live to be a testimony (2:6-8)
b. Live to be a testimony (2:6-8)
i. This is why Paul continues in verse 6, like the young women, young men should be self controlled. What is interesting here is young men should not strive for anything else. There could be a bunch of things that men should do, but the most important thing is, be self controlled.
i. This is why Paul continues in verse 6, like the young women, young men should be self controlled. What is interesting here is young men should not strive for anything else. There could be a bunch of things that men should do, but the most important thing is, be self controlled.
ii. Again, I believe that Paul has in mind the qualifications of an elder, going back to 1:7-8, that men are to be self controlled, inwardly and outwardly, which is why he writes in verse 7 that we should show yourself as an example of good deeds, not only in your actions but also in your knowledge, and sound in your speech.
ii. Again, I believe that Paul has in mind the qualifications of an elder, going back to 1:7-8, that men are to be self controlled, inwardly and outwardly, which is why he writes in verse 7 that we should show yourself as an example of good deeds, not only in your actions but also in your knowledge, and sound in your speech.
iii. I love this expression that Paul uses here because again, our speech is not simply the things we say, but the things we are thinking. Paul is addressing the heart, that men are not outwardly to be godly, but inwardly godly. This godliness will spring forth outwardly because of our inward godliness.
iii. I love this expression that Paul uses here because again, our speech is not simply the things we say, but the things we are thinking. Paul is addressing the heart, that men are not outwardly to be godly, but inwardly godly. This godliness will spring forth outwardly because of our inward godliness.
iv. I am reminded of a Proverb while thinking of this. Solomon writes in Proverbs 16:32 that he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
iv. I am reminded of a Proverb while thinking of this. Solomon writes in Proverbs 16:32 that he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
1. When we think about this statement, what Solomon is stating here is that, the person who is able to control his anger inwardly and outwardly, this person is stronger and mightier than a person who is great and mighty, because this person is the person who has ruled his spirit. He is the one who is able to self control his own heart and if you are able to do this, you are stronger and mightier than the greatest king who can capture cities.
1. When we think about this statement, what Solomon is stating here is that, the person who is able to control his anger inwardly and outwardly, this person is stronger and mightier than a person who is great and mighty, because this person is the person who has ruled his spirit. He is the one who is able to self control his own heart and if you are able to do this, you are stronger and mightier than the greatest king who can capture cities.
2. The Bible makes it clear through this proverb that the greatest and strongest men are not men who can control outward behavior, but inwardly control themselves. This standard that God gives us in the Sermon on the Mount reminds us, in Matthew 5:20, when Jesus says that our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, this is what Jesus means. It is not merely not acting upon our desires, but it is to be self controlled that we don’t have those inward desires. It is to so master our hearts that we don’t desire those things outwardly. It is to love Jesus so much, that all our actions magnify Him.
2. The Bible makes it clear through this proverb that the greatest and strongest men are not men who can control outward behavior, but inwardly control themselves. This standard that God gives us in the Sermon on the Mount reminds us, in Matthew 5:20, when Jesus says that our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, this is what Jesus means. It is not merely not acting upon our desires, but it is to be self controlled that we don’t have those inward desires. It is to so master our hearts that we don’t desire those things outwardly. It is to love Jesus so much, that all our actions magnify Him.
v. What is then the outcome of this godliness? Paul writes, that we should be this way so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. This clearly shows that opponents of the church gossip and spread rumors to undermine the message of the Gospel. This is why Paul commands the church, that there are opponents, those who oppose you, by our actions, we should not give them a reason to say bad things about us. Paul is concerned on the actions of the church because Christians have a testimony. Our lives showcase how God is working in our lives and a means that the unbelieving world can come to know God.
v. What is then the outcome of this godliness? Paul writes, that we should be this way so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. This clearly shows that opponents of the church gossip and spread rumors to undermine the message of the Gospel. This is why Paul commands the church, that there are opponents, those who oppose you, by our actions, we should not give them a reason to say bad things about us. Paul is concerned on the actions of the church because Christians have a testimony. Our lives showcase how God is working in our lives and a means that the unbelieving world can come to know God.
vi. We should consider this as well. It’s easy to just do whatever we want, but always understand that our actions will show others who it is we follow. If we look, think and act like the world, the world will think we are one of them. But if our actions look different, just like Paul was calling the Church to be different, than they will know we are not one of them.
vi. We should consider this as well. It’s easy to just do whatever we want, but always understand that our actions will show others who it is we follow. If we look, think and act like the world, the world will think we are one of them. But if our actions look different, just like Paul was calling the Church to be different, than they will know we are not one of them.
3. CONCLUSION
3. CONCLUSION
