To Titus: (2:7-8):
Paul urges Titus to lead an exemplary life so that others might see him and imitate him. As Paul said to Corinthians : “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor.11:1). Titus was an young man but he was tough not like Timothy. Yet he needed someone to look upon as a model. Paul urges him in his teaching to have 3-qualities, viz.
- Integrity: Titus had to be more than a teacher. He had to set an example in doctrinal stability and integrity. Before teaching any doctrines, he must be comfortable in his understanding and teaching others.
- Seriousness: Titus teaching must flow with seriousness as he is in the business of soul-saving. His preaching and practice must be in allegiance. As Cretans are notorious for their laziness and lying, Titus job was all the more difficult. Unless he was serious about his ministry, the false teachers would hijack the entire church.
- Soundness of speech: Our speech should contain the truth. When our life is true, our speech would be effective. Paul said: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.” (Col.4:6). Our speech and our life must go together. Paul was expecting Titus to be the practitioner of faith.
In following the above 3-virtues, the accusers will be embarrassed, and hold nothing against Titus. The Lord Jesus also said to the angry mob, “which of you convicts Me of sin?”(Jn.8:46). This is true for every Christian minister, evangelist and missionary.
To servants: (2:9-10):
Paul always addressed every situation very beautifully. Slavery was a tradition and practice in those days. We must not get confused that why Paul did not condemn slavery. Paul was not a champion for abolition of slavery but champion of introducing the love and salvation of Christ to the world. He has addressed beautifully in Philemon where he changed the relationship of believing slave Onesimus with his master Philemon as a brother in the Lord.
Slaves often commit 3-sins viz. i) disobedience to master, ii) adamant i.e. talking back and iii) stealing, even Onesimus had committed these sins. Churches in Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, Crete had mixed church members of Jews, Gentiles and slaves etc. This was a burning problem existing in the churches.
This holds good for the employees and employer in the present world. Paul in his letter gives clear instructions to both slaves of the past and the employees or Christian workers of this present world.
- Do not disobey unless the orders affect our relationship with God, but submit to the authorities and masters.
- Do not talk back or talk in secret grudgingly against your employer.
- Do not steal even seemingly insignificant things viz, paper, clips, pens, pencils, but be trustworthy. This would create our testimony among the heathen and our identity is created.
- When we serve faithfully, we “beautify the Bible” and make the Christian message attractive to unbelievers. When Paul addressed the slaves in Timothy’s church (1 Tim.6:1), he used a negative motive, “that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed.” But the positive motive, to make God’s message attractive is to be faithful and trustworthy in everything. This will keep God’s teaching from being slandered. (thought taken from BE NT commentary)
- We must be willing to do our duties with pleasure and remain honest and loyal to the master and the company/firm we are serving.
- We can win our masters with our good attitude and behaviour.
Ex: We must draw the encouragement from Joseph, Daniel the servant girl in Naaman’s household who were in hostile situation, yet remained faithful to God and to their master.