Titus 2:1-10

In these verses (1-10) we find that there are ways to honor God from within every station of life-regardless of age, gender, or situation.

So what we want to do is to walk through this passage and fill in all three columns as we go.

So what we want to do is to walk through this passage and fill in all three columns as we go.

— 1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Observation

WHO: “you” pastor Titus

WHAT: “speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine”. The words “are proper” mean in accordance with, or to be fitting.

So, along with oversight (v7), a pastor’s chief role is to “teach” to speak, because the very definition of the word disciple is a learner.

Notice that the elder’s teaching role is specified. He must teach that which is in accordance with, what is proper for, that which is in line with sound teaching.

Here’s the second time Paul used this to describe the teaching done in the church by the elders (1:9). The soundness of it. The fitness of it. How healthy is it?

To bring the church into alignment with the Great Commission, making disciples, is that healthy? (carrying out the “one another’s” of Scripture).

So sound teaching is put on the table. Now watch what this is in contrast to.

— 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

Notice again the connection of idle babblings (empty chatter) and straying from the truth, in Titus the false teachers are said to have this empty chatter and teach “commandments of men who turn from the truth.”

Notice how the false message is spread. Substandard teaching is an infectious pox. Again, in contrast, true teaching is “sound” (,, ; , ), which is a medical word for “healthy”.

Folks who can lay hold of healthy teaching have an infectious spiritual disease. They are held captive to it.

— Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

When people cannot support what they do and why they do what they do, from scripture, they are propagating philosophy that comes from human speculation, from the basic principles of the world.

It comes from this present evil age and does not transmit divine wisdom. All Christ-less teaching, no matter how high-sounding, or appealing, is hollow at its core.

WHAT else: — 7 in all things showing yourself (Titus) to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Again, the elders are the pattern for the church to look at and follow.

The word “pattern” is that word used to describe the dye, which is harder than the softer metal, in which the dye is struck repeatedly and when the dye is removed, there’s an impression made.

The pastor’s life is pressed into yours to a degree and God is going to leave an impression upon you by their example.

WHY: — 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Part of sound teaching is instructing the older women in the congregation of their role in the church. And…whether or not, God’s Word is blasphemed in on the line.

Interpretation

The command that opens chapter 2, “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine,” indicates that what follows

will deal specifically with the expectation,

that those who embrace the true faith will demonstrate a certain type of behavior in their lives.

For the hearers in Crete, Paul has just identified the negative characteristics of those who oppose him in Crete.

Now, because of the negative influence of the false teachers, Paul says to Titus, “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (v. 1).

“Others are teaching what is wrong out of base motives, but you—by contrast—must teach what is sound.”

Even in an apostolic church the influence of false teaching was real and required vigorous countermeasures.

The contrast is heightened in that Titus’s example for the young men is to be the antithesis of those opposing Paul’s teaching in the Cretan church (cf. 1:16).

The contrast is heightened in that Titus’s example for the young men is to be the antithesis of those opposing Paul’s teaching in the Cretan church (cf. 1:16).

The false teachers are “unfit for doing anything good,” but by his example Titus is to teach is good” (v. 7a).

The false teachers deceive (1:10), lie (1:12), and “reject the truth” (v. 14) for “dishonest gain” (v. 11).

But Paul says to Titus, “In your teaching show integrity” (v. 7b).

The word “integrity” refers not only to the character of Titus but also to his uncorrupted message.

This is in further contrast with the false teachers who with their polluted gospel are “corrupted,” and to whom “nothing is pure” (1:15).

The false teachers are “mere talkers” (i.e., uttering empty, senseless things, 1:10), but Titus is to show “seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned” (vv. 7c, 8a).

What the false teachers say and do causes them to “deny” God (1:16), but Titus’s words and example should cause no one to deny the validity of his message or the character of those who deliver it (cf. 2:8).

Application

Pastor Joel must also do what?

If there is any passage in the Pastorals that needs to be applied today, it is this one.

Christians must work hard to live so that they give no cause to unbelievers to “blaspheme (smear) the word of God,” (v5) have anything “bad to say about us,” (v8) or find Christian doctrine unattractive.

What may seem like straightforward advice that can easily be applied, however, turns out to have some curves and angles to negotiate.

Older men and women today are trying hard to be contemporary and be “pals” with their grandchildren, rather than seem pious and sound in the faith. (v2)

The old image of a grandmother knitting in her rocking chair, hair in a bun, humming hymns is long gone. (v3)

Young women today are not usually “busy at home”, but are more likely to be found in the executive suite of a downtown office,

or skillfully using the latest computer program and

searching out the newest exciting website. (v4-5)

Ambition has overtaken them and many young men, who have little spare time for Christ’s concerns

after rising early to hit the gym for a workout,

catch the 6:44 train or battle the expressway,

have a power lunch between long hours at the office, and

perhaps squeeze an occasional flight to and from New York,

to say nothing of watching football, basketball, or baseball on TV in seasonal rotation.

How can this paragraph possibly be relevant or applicable?

What is relevant is the fact that like people of the first and every other century, we must work hard at character, spirituality, and

communication of biblical truths to children, grandchildren, and neighbors.

If such influence could be present in the time of the Apostles, then we who are living in an era long separated from apostolic authority are cautioned all the more to see the necessity of teaching “sound doctrine.”

When a elders life matches what he says, his effectiveness increases greatly.