Introduction and Preliminary Observations
Titus
is one of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles. In this letter, Paul was
giving instructions to Titus, whom he described “my own son
after the common faith” (1:4), meaning to say that Titus was
Paul’s convert. Together with Timothy, Titus was the second
generation of church leaders. He was also known as Paul’s
“partner and fellowhelper” (2 Cor 8:23).
At the time of the writing of this epistle, Titus
was the pastor in the church on the island of Crete (1:5a),
the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The church in
Crete can be traced back to the time of the Pentecost (Acts
2:11). Paul’s purpose in writing the epistle was that Titus
would “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain
elders in every city” (1:5).
The epistle of Titus is a manual for
Christian living. Paul gives qualifications for those whom
God has called to be elders/pastors of the church (1:6-9).
Titus was to ordain elders to oversee the churches. And
church elders must lead by example.
+
Age by itself does not guarantee spiritual maturity. True
spiritual maturity comes through growing in the grace and
knowledge of Christ.
+ Biblical leadership is not a top-down hierarchy; it
is going ahead first and saying, “Be ye followers of me,
even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1).
the example of Aged men (2:1-2)
Paul says to Titus, “Speak [or preach] thou the things which
become sound doctrine” (2:1). Paul makes a contrast between
the false teachers (1:10-16) and Titus, who teaches sound
doctrine.
+ There is a direct link between godly living and
sound doctrine. Sound doctrine will find expression in godly
living. Is your knowledge of the Word of God reflected in
your life?
The Bible does not specify a particular age when a man
becomes an aged man (Luke 1:13; Philemon 9). The focus is on
men with some years of experience, and these should be
models of godliness in the following areas.
A. Be Sober
The same word is translated as “vigilant” in 1 Timothy 3:2.
To be sober is to abstain from wine. By application, it
means that aged men must be watchful over their behaviour as
opposed to being in a drunken state.
B. Be Grave
To be grave is to be honourable and dignified. It is to have
a seriousness of purpose in your life. It is to have a
demeanour
that would invite honour and respect.
C. Be Temperate
The same word is translated “discreet” in verse 5. To be
temperate means to have control of one’s passions, thoughts
and judgment. A temperate man follows sound reason and whose
judgment does not easily succumb to his passions. He is not
driven to rage or by his own prejudice.
D. Sound in Faith, Charity and Patience
To be “sound” means to be healthy. But Paul is not talking
about physical health. While age diminishes our physical
strength, it should not deplete our spiritual vitality. “Our
outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by
day” (2 Cor 4:16).
·
Physical age should have no effect on the soundness of our
faith, meaning our
personal relationship with God.
·
Physical age
should have
no effect on the soundness of our love. As our faith grows
stronger, our love must become more tender.
·
Physical age has no effect on the soundness of our patience,
meaning in an endurance
to bear the infirmities of body brought on by age and to
persevere in the work of the Gospel.
Taken together – sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith,
love and patience – these qualities mean that the aged man
is one who exercises and displays a seriousness of life.
+ Do you exercise a self-restraint life? Do you have
a firm grip on life? Are you persevering in your faith? Or
are you driven by impulse and controlled by carnal desires?
The exhortation to young men (2:6)
Paul’s instruction to the young men is similar to the one
given to the old men (2:6). The word “exhort” literally
means to come alongside, implying that young men need more
than just verbal instruction; they need to be helped. Titus
was not only to preach the ideal, he was to be an example of
the faith in every aspect of his life – in doctrine, in
speech, in his conduct.
the emphasis on young men
There are several reasons Paul focuses on the young men.
Young men are needed for the ministry of the church. Young
men who fail to exercise godliness have little promise of
being useful for God or society. Young men need to prepare
for doing the will of God.
Solomon gives this advice to young people,
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while
the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou
shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl 12:1).
+To the youth, there is opportunity. Youth is a time for
moulding a person’s character, to form godly habits, a time
for sowing righteousness, and to discover one’s potential
for God’s use in your life.
+To the parents and elders, there is responsibility (Deut
4:9; 6:7). Christian parents must show their children how to
live as Christians. The home is where the Christian is
raised.
What would become of your life 50 years from now depends
very much on what you make of it now. “Remember now thy
Creator in the days of thy youth.”
+ Do not leave God out of your plans.
+ Give your best to the Lord.
Live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12-13). |
