Explore the Bible
Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile
Look for Spiritual Excellence
Titus 2:1–15
We live in a time when we do not want to discriminate against persons. In many churches, a generation gap has developed so that older and younger adults rarely relate to each other. All adults will benefit from this study of Paul’s advice to a variety of life situations, with the emphasis that God’s grace is present for every circumstance.
Aging Gracefully (1–5)
A healthy church blends doctrinal teaching with practical instruction. With this core principle, the church can minister in various areas of church life.
Older Christians must strive for excellence by living godly lives, giving younger Christians examples to follow. Aging makes some people callous, bitter and cynical. Those who are spiritually healthy are optimistic, thankful and pleasant company.
Older men (those 60 and above) are to live honorably and respectably. They are to be sensible and healthy in the faith. In the same way, older Christian women (those who no longer have child-rearing responsibilities) are to live lives of reverent behavior. As experienced, godly women, they are to take the lead in teaching younger women. Their training includes not only teaching young mothers how to keep house and cook but also how to maintain proper mental and spiritual attitudes.
Demonstrating Integrity (6–8)
Titus was to admonish the younger men (age 12 and over) to be sensible and self-controlled in every area of life. Titus was obligated to be the pattern of the moral and spiritual qualities he preached. In his public ministry and in his private life, Titus must demonstrate integrity, seriousness and a soundness of speech that could not be condemned.
Working Faithfully (9–10)
Paul also gave Titus instructions for slaves (who made up a significant portion of first century congregations). The Bible acknowledges the existence of customs and cultures with which it does not agree (i.e. polygamy). Paul does not condemn slavery outright, but, in the first century life, he was most interested in providing help for those believers who were slaves. Paul lists three sins that Christians who serve others should avoid.
First is disobedience. Believers were to obey their masters and seek to please them. It is possible to do a job grudgingly. But the Christian slave has a heavenly Master whom he is to obey wholeheartedly (Eph. 6:5–9). All such service can be done as unto Christ and will be fully rewarded by Him.
Second is the sin of talking back. This includes arguing, complaining and cursing. The wrong use of the mouth would certainly be a poor testimony for a Christian slave.
The third sin is stealing. It was easy for a slave to pilfer little items and sell them and to report that they were broken or stolen. But a Christian was bound to strict honesty.
Many slaves had the privilege of leading their masters to the Lord in the early days of Christianity, largely because of the difference between pagan slaves and Christian slaves was so glaringly obvious. Their behavior made attractive the teaching that God saves sinners. What was true of Christian slaves should be true of all Christian employees today.
Living Righteously (11–15)
Paul had called for consistent behavior by all believers. Now he shows that one of God’s great purposes of our salvation is to produce lives of unadulterated holiness. It is God’s grace that redeems us from the guilt and penalty of our sin. This salvation comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This salvation is for all people who receive it.
God’s grace transforms us, saving us from the power of sin. The same grace that saves us also trains and disciplines us to be the kind of people who glorify God. This grace teaches us to shun ungodliness and embrace holiness. This grace transforms us by purifying us and making us God’s own special possession.
God’s grace saves us from the presence of sin when Christ returns. Paul did not go into detail about the events surrounding the return of Christ. Believers should always be expecting His return and live like one who will see Him face to face.
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