Instructions to the church members: (Chap.2)
“Few portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)
You (Titus): (2:1)
Paul continuing from the previous chapter gives a command to Titus to teach the things which are proper and for sound doctrine. A pastor should have a balanced ministry of teaching, exhorting all the saints and refuting the enemies of the truth. He must teach a sacred doctrine, proclaim the truth and instruct the people to have holy and cleansed lives. Sanctified lives are required in the church for proper fellowship and worship. Principle and practice must go hand in hand. So Timothy must promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching. In other words Paul was simply commanding Titus to fulfil the command of Jesus Christ “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt.28:19-20).
Paul gives several kinds of people to whom Titus must promote the right kind of living. They are:
To aged men and women:(2:1-5):
Titus had some old men and women. The old men and women had to approached with love and wisdom. For older men the following attributes are required.
- Temperate: It is the prudence, sober, temperamental in the use of wine.
- Worthy of respect: Which also dignified, serious in matters of faith. Such person would draw the title of saint. When they stand to speak in the church, every one takes care to listen.
- Self control: It is again the temperamental of a person specially in his behaviour, attitude, use of wine. Self control was very important when we have a congregation of cosmopolitan society and believers from pluralistic society.
- Sound in faith, in love and in endurance: All these 3 attributes go together. They should know what they believe and must have the stability in the right things. Being old they tend to harden their ways, but if they harden in the ways of faith, love and patience, they can be great examples to the younger generation. They must encourage the young believers to live such exemplary lives.
For older women, Paul gives the following virtues:
- Reverent: The older women have their set of temptations and difficulties. They should not be addicted to much wine, not slander or gossip. Gossip is the work of devil. Addicted to wine was quite common in the island of Crete. So Paul specially emphasises this vice for both older men and older women.
- Train the younger women: They must teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, self controlled, pure and busy at home, to be kind and obedient to their husbands. The older women have special challenges and special opportunities. They can use their experiences and admonish the young women. Paul gives more teaching on submission of wives in (Eph.5:22-24, Col. 3:18).
To young men: (2: 6):
Young men should behave properly. They must live godly lives. In the Greek culture, young husbands were neglecting their wives and children. This was a tradition and Paul specifically commands Titus to teach the young men to have self control taking life seriously. This is the only emphasis Paul gives for young men.