Bible Diary - Titus 2:1-10
March 21, 2008
Just how does anyone go about communicating good behavior to older men and women? That is the charge Paul gives Titus. As an older man I can think of a few times where younger persons in the church have nudged me back on course in my Christian walk. I think of Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend.” I know I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but the older I get the harder it is to change.
Conduct Consistent with Sound Teaching
2:1 But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching. 2:2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. 2:3 Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good. 2:4 In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5 to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited. 2:6 Encourage younger men likewise to be self-controlled, 2:7 showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, 2:8 and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us. 2:9 Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back, 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
There is a heap of paradox here. I know pretty well how I am expected to be, like dignified, having self-control, being sound in the faith. On the one hand, this takes hard work as I “work out my salvation in fear and trembling.” At the same time it is possible only if I yield myself to Christ and let Him do the heavy lifting, since I am powerless to remake myself.
Paul is reviewing for our benefit the characteristics of a Spirit-filled life, as he does in his letter to the Galatians. He knows how hard it is for us to stay focused on the Exemplar who was tempted as we are yet never sinned.
Dave, still with a pretty dull edge.
-sdg-
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