Sound Doctrine--Part 1

Introduction

Last week, I asked you to define “Sound Doctrine.” I’m not sure what you came up with, but that phrase is used in the beginning of chapter 2.

If you have your Bibles turn with me to Titus chapter 2 and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.

Titus 2:

Titus 2:1 NIV84

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

Sound Doctrine

Paul tells Titus that he must be prepared to teach what is in accordance with “sound doctrine.”

The Greek wording translated “Sound Doctrine” could be literally translated “Healthy Teaching.” It has the idea of correct or accurate teaching.

QUESTION 1: Are we teaching healthy teaching today? Are we listening to correct or accurate teaching?

Titus 2:2 NIV84

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

Titus 2:2

Older Men

Titus was to teach the older men to display six characteristics.

(1) Temperate—sober in regards to alcohol

(2) Worthy of respect—dignified. Displaying a dignity that comes from God.

(3) Self-controlled—one who is self-restrained from all passions and desires.

(4) Sound in faith—healthy in what they believe and trust.

(5) Sound in love—having a healthy unconditional love.

(6) Sound in endurance—a healthy endurance; to holdup under pressure.

“Older men” need to exhibit these six characteristics in their lives.

QUESTION 2—If you are an “older man” do you display these characteristics in your life?

Older Women

Titus 2:3–5 NIV84

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.

Titus 2:3-

Paul now turns to the older women. He begins with the wording, “Likewise. . .” The idea is in the same manner as the older men he is now addressing how they should live.

They have two negatives qualities, and ten positive qualities.

They are first and foremost to be reverent in the way they live. This phrase literally means: devote; holy; dignified; befitting sacred things. There are two negatives qualities that would keep them from being reverent.

(1) Not slanderous—they are not to be gossips, or backbiters.

(2) Addicted to much wine—not drunkards.

Then Paul lists nine positive qualities that they should display.

(1) Teach what is good—literally teachers of virtue.

(2) Lovers of their husbands—The Greek word philoandros which means to love one’s husband, or have affection towards one’s husband.

(3) Lovers of their children—The Greek word philotekous which lovers of their children

Both of these words contain the prefix philos—from which we get a friendship type of love. These women are to be friends/lovers of their husbands; and friends/parents with their children.

The three negative qualities they should not have are:

(4) Self-controlled—sound mind; discreet; sensible; reasonable.

(1) Not slanderous—Lov

(5) Pure—literally means “holy,” but can mean innocent.

(6) Busy at home—one who takes care of their home.

(7) Kind—has the meaning of good; generous, and fair.

(8) Subject to their husbands—this literally means to place oneself subordinate to another (in this case to their husbands)

All of this is done so that no one can speak against the Word of God.

Notice—when Paul talks about teaching the older women, they are to teach the younger ones. So the younger women should exhibit the same qualities as the older women!

QUESTION 3—If you are either an older or younger woman, how are you doing with these characteristics?

Young Men

Titus 2:6–8 NIV84

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.

Titus 2:6-

Paul begins this section with the same word he began verse 3. So in the same manner Titus is to encourage the young men to exhibit several characteristics. Paul includes Titus in this section.

(1) Self-controlled—this is a slightly different word than in verse 5. It literally means: sensitive, reasonable, good sense, reserve, clear minded, or in his right mind.

(2) Doing what is good—Titus is to show by his life what is good (and show should young men in general).

(3) Showing integrity—without corruption, with sincerity, incorruptible.

(4) Seriousness—literally dignified, befitting behavior, respectfulness.

(5) Soundness of speech—healthy words, or safe words.

QUESTION 4—If you consider yourself to be in the “young men” category then how are you doing meeting these characteristics?

Slaves

Titus 2:9–10 NIV84

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Titus 2:

Paul believed that slaves—who made up a significant amount of the general population—should live godly lives.

Paul believed that slaves—who made up a significant amount of the general population—should live godly lives.

Many believe we can skip this part since we don’t have slaves today. However, I believe we should teach this passage and apply it to “employees.”

Paul gives 5 characteristics that slaves (employees) should exhibit.

(1) Subject to their masters—notice that they are to be subject to their masters in everything!

(2) Try to please them—self explanatory.

(3) Not to talk back—need we say more?

(4) No stealing—this stands to reason, servants were not to steal from their masters. In Paul’s day, many slaves believed that they were entitled to more than they actually received from their masters so they would steal. Paul says this is NOT acceptable behavior from God’s people.

(5) Show that they can be fully trusted—when masters looked at their workers, the believes should stand out as one who can be trusted in all things.

Here’s the key—we do these things in order to make the gospel (teaching about Jesus) more attractive!

QUESTION 5—As an employee how are you doing with these characteristics?

These are the specific characteristics that should be taught to specific groups of people. Now Paul turns to all men.

Titus 2:11-

Titus 2:11–14 NIV84

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

All Men

The first thing we need to realize is that God’s grace now brings salvation to all people! This salvation changes people! It changes people in a number of ways.

(1) Say, “No,” to ungodliness—ungodliness is disloyalty to the King—King Jesus.

(2) Say, “No,” to worldly passions—these are earthly lusts or cravings. It can also refer to sexual desires.

(3) Live self-controlled lives—this is the same word used in verse 1.

(4) Live upright lives—could be translated right, just or righteous lives.

Paul understands that living in this present age these characteristics are counter-cultural. Those who do not know Jesus as King do not understand these characteristics. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. (c.f. )

When we accept Jesus as Savior, He becomes our King. So when He becomes our King our lives should dramatically change. That is what Paul is talking about.

These changes should lead us to wait for the blessed hope, which is the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.

Paul goes on to say it was Jesus who:

(1) Redeemed us from all wickedness.

(2) Who is purifying for himself a people.

(3) These people will be eager to do what is good.

QUESTION 6—How do you measure up with these general characteristics?

Paul challenges Titus to teach these things. He is to:

(1) Encourage—urge, implore, beg, appeal, or plead.

Titus was to teach these things and beg people to live their lives like this! Today, it is my job to beg or plead with you to live your lives in this manner.

(2) Rebuke—this has the idea of exposing, convicting, showing fault or error, to condemn, or to put to shame.

This is a part of the Pastor’s job that many (including me) do not like. Nevertheless we are told to rebuke brothers and sisters when we see them falling in to sin.

Paul tells Titus (and us) to encourage and rebuke with all authority—we do this with the authority of Jesus and His Word.

Finally, Paul says, “Do not let anyone despise you.” People do not like it when we encouraged righteousness. And people do not like it when we correct (rebuke) them.

QUESTION 7—Are you willing to encourage people? And in the same light are you willing to rebuke—correct people?

QUESTION 8—How do you measure up to these standards?