A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Part 4

Chapter 2

Titus 2:1-8 Instructions for both older and younger believers

Advice to Older Men

1 But you are to talk about things which are appropriate for sound doctrine.

2 The older men are to be sober, dignified, self-controlled, being sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

Advice to Older Women

3 The elder women in the same way [are to be] in behavior what is consistent with holiness, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good,

4 So that they teach the younger women to be clear headed, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be self-controlled, chaste, taking care of the family, good, under authority to their own husbands, so that the Word of God is not reviled.

Advice to Young Men

6 Likewise, strongly encourage the young men to be sensible.

7 In everything showing yourself to be a model of good works, and in teaching [using] integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, [and]

8 Sound words that can’t be condemned, so that one who is antagonistic may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about you.

Notes

B1 Older men

C1 This is hard to identify but probably would include the age group where children are either grown up or nearly so.

C2 This age group is to be sober, dignified, self-controlled, being sound in faith, love, and perseverance

D1 Because of Titus 2:3 and Titus 1:7, it is understood to be referring to not addicted to alcohol.

E1 Alcohol effects decision making and remembering the next day what decision was made. This can be a disaster in many cases.

E2 Alcohol effects judgment.

E3 Alcohol effects body functions including balance.

E4 For more info see Long term effects of alcohol on the brain.

D2 Dignified refers to acting sensible, being of good character, respectable, etc. This is an attitude that leads to godly character. We need to maintain a good reputation.

D3 Self-controlled rather than impulsive. It has the ideas of remaining calm, keeping one’s composure, having patience and restraint.

D4 Being of sound faith. This would be knowing what the Christian faith is and able to defend it. It is a pure faith, rather than being mixed with error. We need to study and read the Bible.

D5 Love

E1 This is agape love.

E2 With some older men there is the tendency to rest from our labors.

E3 The labor of love must continue. This is love of God, love of family, love of the believers, and love of unbelievers (in order to preach the Gospel).

E4 What the older men have learned by living (experience both unpleasant and pleasant) needs to be passed on to younger people. Love is the motive to do this.

E5 This love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not do of ourselves. Galatians 5:22-23 NRSV By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

D6 Perseverance

E1 Many understand this to refer to tribulations of persecution and temptation.

E2 Romans 12:12 CSB Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.

E3 This should be the goal of all old male believers: Luke 8:15 NLT And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

E4 For believers, let us remind ourselves: Romans 2:6-7 NIV God "will repay each person according to what they have done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

B2 Older women

C1 Consistent

C2 Not slanderers

C3 Not enslaved to alcohol

C4 Teachers of what is good, especially to the younger women to be

D1 Clear headed

D2 Love husbands

D3 Love children

D4 Self-controlled

D5 Chaste

D6 Care givers of the family

D7 Under authority of husbands

D8 All has a purpose to honor God, His ways, His kingdom, and His gospel.

D9 People need to know God’s way is best in everything

C5 The role of experience cannot be underestimated. These older women have much experience in life from marriage to child bearing to child raising.

C6 They can be present in the house to physically help. For example, they can help manage the household after the baby is born. Mom needs time to recover and a new born typically needs more attention from mom. She can also help taking care the chores and helping the other children for a time.

C7 I’m sure most older women already know these things and certainly much better than I.

C8 The list given by Paul here can surely be applied to all believers.

C9 Certainly this verse can be applied to anyone: Proverbs 31:26 NLT When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

B3 Younger men

C1 The need for younger men to be sensible

C2 The need for the pastor, especially younger pastors, and in particular Titus. Living, teaching, preaching in public or private to be

D1 An godly example, thus, be consistent in what you say and what you do.

D2 Your teaching (Titus) in speaking, showing, demonstrating, etc. is to be

E1 Truth

E2 Serious instead of everything being a big joke

E3 Honest and not changeable to pressure. Being steadfast and true.

E4 People may disagree with the teaching, but they cannot condemn the teaching when held to the Scriptural standards.

E5 In life and teaching be blameless both publicly and privately. This would include many things including handling of money, counseling, delegating, answering questions from seekers, doubters, or the curious, where they would go and what they do in public, who their best friends are, the music they listen to, how they handle complaints, disagreements, hurts, etc.

B4 Dictionary of Bible Themes by Manser gives a topical listing with many verses on The Believers Character. It would be good for all believers to study.