Site Search Engine

Paul's Letter to Titus

The doctrine adorned by Character

Titus 2

 

Introduction

In this chapter, we have the type of character by which Christians of various ages and classes can "adorn the doctrine" of "God our Saviour" (v. 10).

The works of faith – verses 1 to 10.

Through Titus, Paul is instructing the whole Church here not only in Crete, but also in the world and up to our own time.  "Faith without works is dead" (James 2.20, 26) - Paul does not contradict this doctrine, but rather supports it, giving some examples of how the profession of faith in Christ is justified by the character it produces in the true believer.

1. To elderly men, who could be teachers and should be examples to others, the exhortation is that their procedure should correspond with their profession of faith.
2. The older women should show qualities of character and of procedure that qualified them to instruct young women about the life of wives and mothers, so that these were good witnesses to the reality of Christian doctrine.
3. Young Christian men also must show caution and seriousness in all aspects of life, knowing how to distinguish between what should and what should not suit the disciple of Christ.
4. Titus himself must be an example of a true Christian - because the enemy will look to find in him some inconsistency in his profession of believer and teacher.
5. Employees (or slaves) who are believers should be honest, obedient and trustworthy; doing this they will adorn the doctrine  of God - the Gospel of eternal salvation by faith in the Saviour, who is God.

Additional note to vs. 9-10: "that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour". Here we see how the lowest, socially, among men (the slaves), could "adorn" the divine doctrine.

A slave – without any civil right in those days - that showed the virtues described in this text in this way, would almost inevitably attract the attention of their master and of the other slaves, who would admire such an uncommon character. This would be an excellent testimony to the power of Christ to "save to the uttermost those who come to God" (Hebrews 7:25).

The saving grace - verses 11 to 15

In this passage the apostle shows us four beautiful fruits of the grace of God:

1.  Eternal salvation (v. 11) - "by grace you have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). This is the fundamental fact of the Gospel: that eternal salvation is “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
2. The instruction that gives us the power to live a righteous and pious life, even in this world, because we are tied to Christ.
3. The "blessed hope" of the glorious manifestation of the great God, who is our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. This verse refers not to the coming of the Lord described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 -17, but to His glorious manifestation of Matthew 25:31 and Revelation 19:7-15. By Divine grace, the Church will come with him.
4. The privilege of our being the "people of God", redeemed, cleansed and zealous of good works (Ephesians 2:10). Good works are the real fruit of the grace of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority" (v. 15). The preacher has to proclaim these fruits of divine grace constantly, with the authority of the Word of God. With such authority, the preacher cannot be despised.

 

Richard Dawson Jones (1895-1987)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 
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. 
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 
7 in all things showing yourself 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. 
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 
10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Titus chapter 2