A Role for Each of Us

Titus 2:1-8

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

For the past two weeks I have addressed what the saints of an earlier era would have assuredly recognised as an aberrant situation within the churches of our Lord. Men of God have surrendered to doctrines championed by feminist theologians. Strange theological practises have been embraced as the people of God endeavour first to demonstrate tolerance of social demands and at the last to succumb to society’s lead. Pastors today largely neglect to provide sound instruction for the members of the flock. As pressure grows to “include” women, the untaught saints conclude that they are not competent to read the Word for themselves and they also surrender to the demands.

Churches do not suddenly fall into error; it is only gradually that the congregations of the Lord move from the foundation which was laid by the Apostles. The process of accommodating, and ultimately of embracing, error can take years. Gradually the concept of the priesthood of the believers is eroded until the congregations are segregated into clergy and laity. Ministers forget the apostolic warning which states that the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths [2 Timothy 4:3,4].

The root of contemporary theological problems no doubt lays close to what once must have seemed to be minute changes in church practise. A minor adjustment in ecclesiastical practise here, a small change in church custom there, and with the passage of time the way things are is thought to be the way things have always been.

Churches in this day are ranked by their ability to entertain adherents. Worship has become a spectator event instead of being participatory. Our language betrays our addiction to this concept. We go to church instead of stating that we are the church. Pastors are hired instead of being called. Credentials are far more important than is character. Administrative ability is more important than is ability to preach the Word. The concept of a prophet is absent from the pulpit today, though the need to be a CEO is considered paramount. Though the megachurch has become a twentieth century phenomenon, it does not follow that the professed saints of God are firm in their faith. Tragically, the contemporary saint of God can attend services with regularity without being overly disturbed by the message from the pulpit. The responsibility for this dismal state can be squarely laid at the feet of the minister of God, for we are responsible to teach the people.

We who occupy the sacred desk have received a charge, and we have not done well in the practical aspects of the Faith. Consequently, the professed people of God are ignorant of how they should live to please God; they are susceptible to infatuation with every passing fad. Consequently, the leaders have become the led, the sheep have become shepherds and the prophets of God have become mouthpieces paid to say what the people want to hear. Few ministers appear to know the Word of God, much less the will of God; thus the old saying is proved true—the hungry sheep look up and are not fed.

Paul pointedly told the young minister, Titus, what to preach. His reasons for providing such instruction were so that no one will malign the word of God… so that those who oppose us may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us… so that in every way we will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive [vv. 5b, 8b, 10b]. If the rude world dares treat the chaste Bride of Christ as though she was a common trollop, it may be because the church has failed to do what she was instructed to do. Hear, then, the Word of God that you may know the will of God. Determine to do what God says that you may please Him and so that His teaching will again be attractive to the dying world about us.

Though of necessity I will address the whole of the apostolic teaching, in keeping with the theme of this particular series of messages, I will emphasise the responsibility of women in the church. I will speak of the responsibility of men, but I will focus on the responsibility of women in the church of God.

The world usually judges religion not on its doctrines, but on the effect which religion has on its adherents. Sound lives result from sound doctrine, for the connection between the first verse and those which follow is required. It is not meddling to insist on godly lives and to spell out what characterises such godliness. Thus, we will here encounter an iteration of the theme which has marked the previous messages—men should be men and women should be women. Either must occupy the position which God has assigned that God may be glorified and that the Faith may be made attractive.

Teaching the Older Men — Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. The older men in view are those whose children are grown and themselves now married. We would probably refer to men whom we think to be middle age as being the older men Paul here addresses. Younger men are those who we would classify as ranging from their teen years through age forty. Perhaps this gives some idea of the view of the early church concerning age. Men beyond their forties were thought to be older men. Those in their fifties were elderly in the common sense of the word.

As an aside of no small importance, we seem to consider the elderly as nuisances in this day. If you question this, visit the nursing homes and notice how many of our parents are forgotten by their own families. Notice the manner in which our world is demanding implementation of laws permitting euthanasia. Our world is the poorer for such attitudes. The Word of God insists that we honour both elderly men and women. Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD [Leviticus 19:32].

Grey hair is a crown of splendour;

it is attained by a righteous life

[Proverbs 16:31].

[The elderly] will still bear fruit in old age,

they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;

He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him”

[Psalm 92:14].

Moses was eighty years of age when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt. A nation was formed in a day and oversight was provided by that aged man. Advanced age did not excuse Moses from the Lord’s work. At age eighty-three, after having travelled some 250,0000 miles on horseback, preaching more than 40,000 sermons, and producing some two hundred books and pamphlets, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism and the father of the Holiness Movement within Christendom, regretted that he was unable to read and write for more than fifteen hours a day without his eyes becoming too tired to work. After his eighty-sixth birthday, he admitted to an increasing tendency to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning! Indeed, our old men should be those who dream dreams [cf. Acts 2:17] and we should honour them.

Older men are to be moderate in their manner of life. It is the responsibility of the pastor to remind them of this fact so that they will not permit excess to mar their lives. Their lives should merit respect for their commitment to Christ, for their commitment to the Faith, for their commitment to their wives. They should be known as men who refuse to surrender to their passions even as they reject the standards of this world for their lives. Older men should be recognised as healthy (uJgiaivnw) in faith, in love and in endurance. Their lives are expected to serve as models of trust, of love for God and for His people, and of perseverance.

The Word of God does not divorce doctrine from duty. Doctrine is revealed in practise. The Bible does not segregate truth and behaviour. Truth shapes behaviour. What I believe will be seen in my life. If I have embraced error, that also will be evident in due time. If, on the other hand, I have seized the truth and I live by that truth, I honour God and my life will reflect that truth by which I have lived.

God forbid that as an older man I should ever be content to merely put in my time as a Christian. I long to so live that younger saints seek to emulate my life. I want to please the Master with a life of distinction marked by power with God and power with man. I don’t want younger men to emulate me because of a quick wit or a sharp tongue or because I was seen as powerful or manipulative. I want younger saints to see me as one who knows the Lord and who relies on His Word. I want younger saints to know that though I am firm in my stands that my firmness grows out of love for Christ and for His people. I want younger saints to see me as one who does not quit the race when the going gets tough. I want younger saints to think well of me, knowing that I am still holding firmly to the truth of Christ and making every effort to fulfil the charge which Christ gave me over thirty years ago.

I confess that on the day I leave this life I want to be able to speak the very words which the Apostle wrote in his last letter. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day [cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8a]. I want to be a model for younger men. Frankly, our world is dying for want to such models. God permitting, I will be such a model. This should be the aspiration of every old man present this day.

Teaching the Younger Men — Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. When you see that word similarly, it should alert you to the fact that the Apostle is insisting that the things which were taught to the older men must also be taught to the younger men so that when they reach old age they will need only a brief refresher course. The teaching must begin with youth. Those young men in our congregation should be known for temperate lifestyles. There should be moderation in all things. They should strive to earn respect both of their wives and of all who know them. They must be grounded in the faith, established in love, and made strong to endure all things.

You men who are unmarried or who are married and have children yet in the home, need to heed this teaching. No Christian man should ever be known as a drunk. There really is no warrant for drinking, but if a man is unable to hold his liquor let him stay away from the bottle. Why are you seeking to escape? A Christian man should practise moderation in work, giving time to his family. He should restrain himself from pursuing only his hobbies and ensure that he has time for his wife and family.

Younger men are to strive to be worthy of respect. Men, your wife should look up to you as a model of godly manhood. She should know that you esteem her, know that you will protect her even at expense of your own life, know that you will provide for her needs even at the expense of your wants, know that you will spend yourself for her well-being. Your wife needs to know that you love her and that you will protect the children God gives you—for they are of even greater value in her eyes than you are. If you have not been this type of man, I recommend that you confess your failing to your wife and ask her to forgive you. Then you need to begin now to correct this horrible failing on your part. I must believe that our wives are looking for an example of godly manhood in their husbands. You should aspire to be that example for your own wife.

The teaching Paul expects to be delivered to younger men must be delivered with the emphasis on self-control. You will note that this emphasis on self-control is an emphasis which young women are also to receive. In everything, young men are to be instructed to be self-controlled. Impulsive arrogance has no place among the people of God. Young men must learn to emulate godly men who have gone before in this realm of ruling their own passions.

You who are younger men can do no better than to find a godly man after whom to model your life. Emulate that godly man, learning to be temperate, growing in godliness so that you also will merit respect. Learn to exhibit soundness in faith, soundness in love, and soundness in perseverance. Above all, learn self-control. Master your passions and desires and you will grow to be a godly man. Learn to control your response to provocation and solicitation to evil and your life will be one to emulate. Learn to live your life with discipline as you walk with the Risen Son of God.

These instructions have never been revoked. One of the great tragedies of this age is that there are so few older men whose lives are worth noting as godly! Too many appear to have bought into a bogus dream of power and possessions as the summum bonum of life. The Faith of Christ is viewed casually, as though it was but an insurance policy against fire damage. Men put in their time in the pew. Perhaps they will arouse themselves to exercise power over the congregation in order to gain their own plaudits, but they have little desire to be godly or to be known for those qualities which glorify God—temperance, respect, self-control and soundness in faith, in love and in endurance.

Tragically, few Christian leaders today can provide an apologia for the Faith. Outside of a few oft-repeated verses of Scripture, they seem ignorant of the will of God. Consequently, the churches are filled with people who profess salvation but exhibit no evidence of the new birth in their lives. Frankly, such pitiful creatures deserve to have youths oppress them and to have women rule over them [cf. Isaiah 3:12].

However, that need not be the case for our congregation. Is it not time that men were again manly, assuming the God-appointed role as leaders for the Body of Christ? For too long we have witnessed our churches stumble along without men of character willing to assume responsibility for their advance. I pray that God raises up a corps of godly men for the coming days—men who are temperate, worthy of respect and especially men who are self-controlled. I pray that those men will be sound in faith, sound in love and sound in endurance.

Teaching the Older Women — Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Again, note the word likewise [wJsauvtw"]. The teaching which the Pastor is to provide women of the congregation includes that which is to be taught to the older men. Older women are also to be taught to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. In addition to this foundational instruction which all apparently are to receive, they are to be taught certain characteristics necessary for them to honour God and they are to receive responsibility for training the younger women in righteous aspects which will glorify God through their lives.

Likely, the word which is translated older women encompasses women over the age of forty. Such older women should be considered a rich spiritual resource to the church. These would include those numbered among the widows whom Paul said the churches should be responsible to honour and care for in 1 Timothy 5:3-10. These are women known for good deeds. The good deeds in view are witnessed in specific acts, including bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble.

Writing Timothy, Paul stated that godliness involves raising one’s children, being hospitable, refreshing the saints and exhibiting an attitude of compassion. Pause for a moment and reflect on this. Raising children, presumably raising children who are a benediction to one’s life, is seen as that which is good in the sight of God. Showing hospitality, especially to fellow Christians (and we would assume that the concept embraces hospitality extended toward outsiders as they seek the truth of Christ), is a good deed. Showing compassion through getting one’s hands dirty with the hurting is commendable before God. Do you wish to be a godly woman, honoured among the saints of the Lord and thus honoured in the sight of God? Do these things and you will be honoured. Notice in particular that there is no concern about your ability to provide leadership as an elder or as a pastor. Notice that God is not impressed by your advances in society or even advancement within an ecclesiastical hierarchy.

In the early church the teaching and instruction of younger women in the church fell to older women, a task which is largely neglected in this day to our own detriment. These older women ministered to one another and taught younger women in the church. Such a task could be misunderstood were the elders of the church to attempt to perform this task. The older women visited the sick and those in prison. They provided hospitality to Christian travellers, especially those engaged in itinerating ministries.

In the towns, which were essentially pagan, Christian women would search for abandoned new-borns who had been left by their parents to die in the streets and marketplaces. Abortion was expensive and contraceptive devices did not exist, so unwanted babies were simply abandoned at birth. Christian women rescued such infants and cared for them until such time that they might be adopted by church families. Abandoned children would otherwise soon die from exposure—if they were fortunate. The less fortunate might well be cruelly injured to render them more pitiful as beggars and thus bring in more money for their owners. Many males would be raised to become gladiators so they could give their lives entertaining the populace in the arena. Females would likely be raised to become prostitutes to gratify the lusts of wicked men.

Women who wish to be activists today can do no better than to emulate their forebears in the Faith. Where are the women willing to take time to disciple younger women and women newer to the Faith? This is a task which no conscientious pastor can undertake alone, nor can any pastor anticipate being nearly as effective as a respected older woman. Where are the women willing to invest their lives in refreshing the saints? It is nearly impossible to find hospitality for visiting missionaries and evangelists because our women are so busy working outside the home. Where are the women willing to seek out the unwanted of society and to rescue them from destruction? There is no higher vocation for a woman than to be a godly woman of character who makes a difference. Ladies, your professional duties will not make a moment’s difference in eternity, if you fail to be a godly woman of character. Your rise up the corporate ladder will prove to be a will-o’-the-wisp when God examines your life by fire.

Specifically, Paul wants older women to be instructed to be reverent in behaviour. The Greek phrase ejn katasthvmati iJeroprepei'" is rare in the New Testament. The specific word reverent occurs only here in the Word of God. The root carries the meaning of priestlike. Older women are to be examples of holiness. Anna comes to mind as such an older woman. You will recall that she was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying [Luke 2:37]. No wonder she recognised the infant Messiah. She had dwelt in the presence of the Living God for so long that her spirit was sensitive to His presence.

Women who are reverent in the way they live will dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God [cf. 1 Timothy 2:9,10]. They will learn in quietness and full submission [1 Timothy 2:11]. They are women who have lived exhibiting faith, love and holiness with propriety [1 Timothy 2:15].

Those women I have been privileged to know who were godly women retain a special place in my memory. A dear saint of God was buried in New Westminster only a year ago. Ida Weston was a joy to this pastor. Looking at Mrs. Weston, I often commented that I understood how it was that Sarah, though advanced in years, was beautiful to those who knew her. In her seventies when I pastored her, Mrs. Weston had a beauty which could not be purchased. Serene in the face of trials, confident in the Lord’s presence, she buried two husbands and raised her children to the glory of God. The glory of God shone on her face. I cannot read of a woman reverent in her behaviour without seeing the face of Ida Weston. I suppose I could have mentioned Sue Dollin or Sally Martin, among the number of such women. My point is that these women were mothers in Israel, women of character who served to encourage the saints of our Lord.

Paul instructs Titus to teach the older women not to be slanderers, not to be gossips. Slanderers translates the word diabovlou". The word is used thirty-four times as a title for Satan, whom Jesus describes as the father of lies [John 8:44]. I know that men can slander—and they do. I know that men can gossip—and they do. It is a tragic observation that women tend to more readily slide into the sin of slander than do men. Such behaviour is diabolical, demonic, devilish.

There is one woman who is a slanderer and a gossip who attends this church. She continually seeks to destroy with her tongue good men and women. She is especially enraged at this pastor and opposes everything he endeavours to teach and accomplish. Such a person is not a godly woman, nor is she worthy of emulation. You must understand that the source of her venomous slander is the pit of hell itself. I believe she has such a long tongue that she could sit in the living room and lick a skillet in the kitchen. She destroys with her tongue the innocent and the good. Her tongue is sharper than a razor and she hones it on the reputation of God’s people.

Then, older women are not to be addicted to much wine. Apparently drunkenness was a problem and as is too often the case, women are every bit as susceptible to drunkenness as are men. Today we would say that neither should the older women be addicted to escape mechanisms from the tedium of the world. Such escape mechanisms may include prescription medications, soap operas and idle chatter. As an antidote to such temptations, older women can determine to be reverent in the way they live, giving themselves to serving the Lord and to the study of His Word.

There are three purpose clauses [clauses which begin with the Greek word i{na] in this text. A purpose clause conveys the sense of so that followed by a reason for the command. Two of these purpose clauses are clearly identified in the English translation [vv. 5, 8]. The other clause, found in verse four, insists that older women are to live as commanded precisely because they do have a vital teaching ministry within the Body of Christ. It is the older women who bear responsibility for instruction of younger women in practical Christianity. If younger women fail to exhibit the characteristics of a godly woman which are presented in verses four and five it is not solely due to the failure of the pastor. If younger women are failing to be godly in this day, it must be concluded that at some point older women ceased to train younger women in practical Christianity.

Teaching the Younger Women — They can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Younger women would generally be those forty and under—woman of marriageable age. Though married women are primarily in view in these instructions, unmarried women would be expected to demonstrate similar attitudes as outlined in the verses. It is vital to keep in view that all women are responsible to exhibit certain characteristics identified as godly if they will be pleasing in the sight of God.

Older women are responsible before God and within the church to train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to keep busy in the home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands. To fail to provide instruction in these critical areas is to dishonour the Word of the Lord. It is logical to assume that older women are to teach younger women both by precept and by example. The lives of older women are to exhibit the very characteristics which are expected in each Christian family.

Though some contemporary Christians attack these instructions as archaic and oppressive, we cannot escape God’s clearly stated rationale for advancing these instructions. To reject these instructions as irrelevant and non-binding is not to embrace some modern egalitarianism; it is to despise Holy God and ensure our return to the chaos attending women and men in open rebellion. Paul says the purpose for these instructions is so that no one will malign the word of God. It is serious enough that some would speak ill of God’s Holy Word, calling it irrelevant and paternalistic and culture-bound. The actual concern addressed by the command is that the Word of God will be blasphemed [blasfhmh'tai]. The world is not greatly impressed by our claims, but it is moved to repentance by godly lives. If we are led by the world, they blaspheme God’s Word because we make a mockery of what He has said. The German philosopher Heinrich Heine addressed this very issue over one hundred years ago in the nineteenth century when he said, Show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your Redeemer.

How are younger women to honour the Word of God? By living godly lives. What would qualify as a godly life for a younger woman? The first command is that she must love her husband and her children. This is not an exhortation to sheer eroticism. The command speaks not of sexual attraction or even of affection, but it rather speaks of willing, determined love which is not based on the husband’s worthiness but upon God’s command. The love in view leads one to be devoted and caring for Christ’s sake. Ideally, this sort of love is reciprocal with the man determined to sacrifice himself for his wife. Ladies, to love your husbands and to love your children is a virtue, but there is another side to this issue. To not love your husbands is a sin.

To be a godly woman it is necessary to demonstrate self-control. That Greek word [swvfrona"] is a far-reaching word. Indeed the word embraces self-control. However, since it is united with the need for purity, it likely carries the meaning of being chaste or modest. Women are to be sensible and discreet. That they are to be pure would relate to their view of holy issues. They are to revere God, being full of awe before Him.

Married women are to be busy at home, which translates the Greek word [oijkourgou;"]. This word is formed through union of two words, one meaning at home and the other meaning to work. As a verb, it referred to a woman as the mistress of the home or as the one who watched over the house. Up to this point, some will consider that I have been meddling, but that with this statement I have declared war. Many contemporary women have been sold a bill of goods which has taught them that they cannot be fulfilled as mothers and homemakers. Whether you agree or disagree with my words, the truth is unaffected by your thoughts; the highest and noblest calling for any woman is to be a mother of godly children. What else can the Word of God mean when it says of God that

He settles the barren woman in her home

as a happy mother of children.

[Psalm 113:9].

Instead of being a prison, I suggest that the home can be a virtual paradise for any woman willing to see that God has blessed her with a rich sphere of influence and service. The tens of thousand latchkey children, many of whom are compelled to so live because their mothers have no alternative to work outside the home, argue against the labour force being the sole or even the best way in which a woman may find fulfilment.

Christian women are to be kind. The meaning of this command is surely obvious. Christian women who will please God are to be gentle, compassionate, considerate, sympathetic—even toward those who are undeserving and unkind. I confess that God has blessed me with a godly wife who exhibits this quality in a manner which is at times disconcerting to me. I am not by nature a gentle person. In the privacy of our home, I have often complained to Lynda that she is too kind toward some whom I would waste. Lynda is the calming hand which reminds me to my responsibility to be kind as a Christian man.

Finally, Christian women are to be subject to their husbands. I know that Scripture can be abused and I know that in the past one Scripture in particular was terribly abused. Paul writes in the encyclical which we know as Ephesians: Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything [Ephesians 5:22-24].

Though this verse has been terribly distorted, the abuse cannot be rectified through ignoring what is taught. Instead, we are responsible to wisely apply the Word of God. The passage is not a club with which men are to beat their wives into submission, but it is a Word from God Himself imposing responsibility on wives to honour the Lord. The antidote to abuse is provided in the admonition for a man to sacrifice himself for his wife just as Christ gave Himself for the church [cf. Ephesians 5:25-29]. Such love is rare enough to be astonishing when it is seen among the men of God.

A godly church is a church which honours God in all things. It is an orderly church in which both men and women embrace that position which God assigned as male and female. The godly church is one in which each member encourages others to fulfil the will of God as revealed through His Word. It is well enough for the pastor to encourage the people to honour one another, to respect one another, to accept one another. However, the passage before us imposes on the pastor practical instruction for both men and women at different points in their respective lives. It requires that the man of God provide instruction which will ensure that the entire Body of Christ gives evidence of having embraced sound doctrine.

The evidence that a church is sound in doctrine is that the respective genders not only know the mind of God respecting their various roles in the life of the assembly, but that each joyfully accepts that role which God assigns. Men are responsible to provide leadership, though it is a tragic truth that far too many men are both incapable of providing leadership and unworthy of being followed because of either arrogance or fear of offending. Women are responsible to provide stability through godly lives revealing the presence of God’s good Spirit. Together they are to reflect the glory of God as they seek to honour Him in all things, beginning with lives which are godly.

I have been in the ministry long enough to have heard nearly every excuse for the reason women must assume leadership in the church. The men won’t do it… the women have a call from God… the Bible is in error when it speaks against women’s leadership. Though I have heard many excuses, I have yet to hear one good reason why God would say one thing and permit another. I have yet to see God bless that individual with power and with His glory when they refuse to live a life of submission to that which He has clearly said. My prayer for us is that we will honour God through submitting to His Word, so that together we may honour the Word of God. Amen.