Titus 2-Part 4
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:6-8 NAS
LET IT GLOW
My husband is an excellent driver, especially on snow. However, in our first month of marriage, before years of experience of driving on snow, we had an accident.
After visiting a cousin, he decided to take the back roads home. Being the adventurous man that he is, steep hills and snow were challenging to him. Well, we made it down one hill safely and up another one, but it was the last hill that got us. Sliding down a steep hill in a foot of snow in a car wasn't my idea of a fun time, then or now, although it was to him. He did all the right things when driving on snow-pumped the brakes, turned the steering wheel the direction of the back end when sliding. It didn't help, though. When we made it down to the bottom, we slid right toward a mailbox. Yes, we hit it. Wham! Nothing helped prevent the accident, not even correctly applying the brakes. So my new hubby did the right thing, got out of the car, trapesed through snow and bitter cold wind, to talk to the owner of the mailbox. He offered to fix it, but since he was honest and told them what had happened, and being an "accident," the man was understanding and fixed the mailbox himself. We laugh about it, some 39 years later. (No accidents since, which were his fault.) Why did I say all of that? There is a skill to applying brakes to cars as well in life. Here's what Paul said about it.
We are continuing the list of charactistics that Paul told Titus groups in the church should have. We have seen the qualities the older men, older women, and younger women as Christian are to live. (Check out 2 previous lessons.) Now we will look at the qualities the younger men should possess, with the input of several authors.
"Young men were males, twelve and older," says
The MacArthur Bible Commentary.
1.
Be sensible-self-controlled is the same word rendered for sensible. Because young men tend toward
being impetuous and rash, unrestrained in their conduct, impulsive, and volatile, Paul said, in effect, "Titus,
help younger men learn how to apply the brakes to life. Younger men are encouraged to be sober minded
(KJV), self-controlled-bridled tongue, controlled temper, curbed ambition, purged of greed, master of
sexual urges and impulses. (Swindoll)
Sober-minded (KJV) is the same word used in verse 2 and 5,
sophroneo, translated "temperate" and
"discreet," and has the idea of "curbing one's desires and impulses," or "self-controlled." (Falwell)
2.
Set an example by doing good deeds-be a model of good works.
Pattern, used in KJV, in Greek is
typos, means model or type. It is common for young men to have a hero and pastors should be the best
human models for them to pattern themselves after.
MacArthur says,"All three terms-
integrity, reverence, and
incorruptibility-qualify the appropriate
commitment to doctrine."
3.
Show integrity in their teaching-communicating the true gospel message. KJV uses the phrase "in
doctrine showing uncorruptness."
The word
gravity is used in KJV; here it means "dignity" and a man of God must have such and then he
will win the respect of older men and women as well. (Falwell)
4.
Demonstrate seriousness-characterized by dignity and what will inspire respect from hearers.
5.
Demonstrate soundness of speech-healthy, well-thought-out presentations of the Christian gospel.
Sound speech that cannot be condemned-pastors must exhibit the wisdom to speak only that which is
well-though-out and not that which is rash or reprehensible. He should say nothing that will bring blame to
his ministry (1Tim. 5:14). (Fawell)
Why did Paul write these? So that those who opposed the Cretian believers would be ashamed because they had nothing bad to say about them. Not even the enemy could condemn them.
MacArthur said, "The purpose of godly living is to silence the opponents of Christianity and the gospel, and make the power of Christ believable."
[References:
Shepherd's Notes, Liberty Bible Commentary, Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus]
Do I control myself, set an example of good deeds, live with integrity and dignity, watch my words, all of which are to glorify my Lord Jesus?
LET IT GROW
Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. (Titu 2:9-10 NAS)
Paul gives character qualities which servants, slaves, should have. Keep in mind, practices in the Roman Empire during this time period maintained the use of indentured servants. This practice was not changed for quite some time. Slaves had few civil rights and often had little more dignity or care than domestic animals. The practice of slavery was not condemned nor condoned in the New Testament, but it teaches that freedom from sin is more important than freedom from slavery. The relationship between a slave and master is equivalent to employee and boss in our time. Let's keep in mind that these principles apply to us as employees.
Warren Wiersbe, in his book
Be Faithful, tells us there are three common sins that Christian slaves must avoid:
- disobedience-obey masters and seek to please them, going the extra mile. It's possible to obey, but not from the heart (Eph. 6:6). It's possible to do a job grudgingly. Some unsaved masters would not be thoughtful and would overwork their slaves. However, we are to seek to please those for whom we work, whether they are believers or unbelievers, fair or unfair, kind or cruel. We are to respect and obey our employers without conditions. (An exception, to me, would be if it meant disobeying the Word of God, as the case of Daniel and the three Hebrews.)
- talking back (answering again)-He often argued with the master, since the slave probably knew more about the job than the master did. Slaves would "gripe" about his master to others on the job. This was a poor testimony for Christian slaves.
- stealing-Slaves could easily pilfer little items and sell them, then report them as being broken or lost.
Wiersbe comments that employees, Christian workers, must obey orders and not talk back, nor steal from their employers.
Why did Paul say all of this? It is to honor the Word of God, to not blaspheme His doctrine, make God's message attractive, keeping its teachings valid.
John MacArthur said, "Paul emphasizes that the supreme purpose of a virtuous life is to make attractive the teaching that God saves sinners."
Paul wrote Titus to pursue the cause of Christ on the island of Crete by establishing and fortifying churches, whose conduct might win converts without a word.
Swindoll tells about Saint Francis of Assisi and his student going into a village to preach. While there, the two gave a crippled old man water and a few coins, played ball with children, visited with a lonely widow, prayed with a sinful young man, and thanked a merchant for his faithful work through the years. Upon leaving the village, the student asked, "When do we preach?" The old friar answered, "Every step we took, every word we spoke, every action we did has been a sermon."
Shouldn't it be the same with us? Our actions are a sermon. Are we preaching good words or bad ones?
Colossian 3:23 says,
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
LET IT GO
Live with integrity and dignity, with self control, making sure my words and actions honor the Lord Jesus.
Obey my employer and don't argue with them, nor steal from them.
Be a faithful servant.
