Reading: Titus 2:1-8

Theme: The truths of the Gospel displayed.

Chapter 2 is Paul’s encouragement to Christian people to live a life worthy of Christ. The assembly is a community of God’s people who seek to make the name of Christ known. We do this by practicing what we profess to believe as Christians.

In verse 1 Paul writes that we ought to speak the things which are proper and sound doctrine. A literal translation of this is “healthy or wholesome doctrine.” The doctrine or teachings of Christ are healthy for our spiritual growth and in many ways our physical health. The words that we speak ought to provoke and encourage behaviour that reflects the doctrine that we believe.

Moving on to verse 2. Older men need to set a good example to other men in the assembly. They especially need to be a good example to the younger men. Older men are encouraged to be a good role models for the younger men and to be someone that they can look up to. In the context of the 1st Century older men are those over the age of 50 years.

Paul, tells us what these men are to do to set a good example. They are to be soberminded, reverent, temperate, sound in faith and patience. They are also to show love towards fellow believers particular young men in the assembly. The love mentioned here is the Greek word, “agape”. This love is a deep affection, which is a central theme in Scripture. This is the relationship that we have with God and therefore ought to encourage us to treat others the same.

In the third verse Paul writes to older women. Again these are women over the age of 50 years. They are to be like to older men in the assembly. The faithfulness of the women is a good witness to younger women in the assembly. There are a few things that Paul points out that are different to the men. Paul encourages the women to not be slanders meaning that they ought not to use speech that damages the relationship of another, usually by false accusations or by malicious gossip. It is likely that Paul wrote this because some women were given to gossiping or spreading rumours.

Paul also mentions about not being given to much wine. This means that we are not to be enslaved by the controlling power and influence of strong drink. Having said that we ought not to be under the enslavement or power of anything that can control us. Paul may have written this because of what he writes in the latter part of the verse, to be “teachers of good things.”

With this in mind Paul writes how the women are to be good teachers. They are to be sober minded, love their husbands, love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers of the home and obedient to their own husbands. This is so that the Word of God be not blasphemed.

Titus was about 40 years old at this point, but still considered a young man and was to be an example to other men. The instructions to the young men are similar to those of older men. They are also to be sober minded, do good works, and show respect, integrity and to be faithful. This is so that those who are not believers will not have anything evil to say of them.