2:1–10 - advice to different age groups and slaves
Titus 2:2–10 and 3:2 contain a rule of conduct for different groups of Christians. We find similar codes in Ephesians (5:21–6:9; Colossians 3:18–4:1).
Christian life needs to a testimony to our faith. By living a godly life, Christians propagate their faith and silence those who are still oppose to it (2:5.10).
Old Christian women should pass on their experience to the younger ones and Titus himself has to be an example in life and preaching.
The elders in 2:2 are referred as “presbytas” - a similar term is used for the leaders of the community (1 Tim 3:2–10).
Titus was to remind older men to be temperate (Gr. nephalious; sober, vigilant, clear-headed; 1 Tim. 3:2), dignified (Gr. semnous; worthy of respect, serious-minded rather than clowns), and sensible (Gr. sophronas; self-controlled; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:5). These characteristics are all marks of maturity (cf. 1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thess. 1:3). They should also be godly. This means being sound in faith (Gr. hygiainontas te pistei; trust in God rather than correct in doctrine here), love (Gr. agape; concern for other people), and perseverance (Gr. hypomone; patiently enduring in view of their hope as believers).
“… the years ought to bring, not an increasing intolerance, but an increasing tolerance and sympathy for the views and with the mistakes of others.”
2:3 - 1 Tim 2:9–10
These women were also to give evidence of their reverence for God in their behavior. Negatively they should avoid malicious gossip (Gr. me diabolous; slandering others; 1 Tim. 3:11; 5:13–14) and dependence on enslaving substances such as wine (Gr. mede oino pollo dedoulomenas - to become a slave of wine; 1 Tim. 3:8). This could expanded. For example men are always enslaved to drink and smoking.
Positively they should teach what is good (Gr. kalodidaskalous) by deed as well as word and encourage the younger women to fulfill their responsibilities (v. 4a).
“We have bought into the notion that older people have had their day of usefulness and ought to make way for the young. But the principle here is quite the opposite. With age and experience come wisdom, and many older women have discovered secrets of godly living in relation to their husbands, children and neighbors and in the workplace that could save younger women a lot of unnecessary grief. And when the unavoidable trials come to the young woman, who better to guide her through than an older sister who has been through it before? Somehow the church must see that younger women have contact with older women.”
2:4–5
Paul listed seven responsibilities of these women. They were (1) to be lovers of their husbands (to put their welfare before self-interests), (2) to be lovers of their children, and (3) to be sensible (Gr. sophronas; self-controlled). They were also (4) to be pure (Gr. hagnas) and (5) to be workers at home (Gr. oikourgous, producers of orderliness in the home, 1 Tim. 5:14; not necessarily occupied exclusively with household chores). Finally they were (6) to be kind (Gr. agthas) and (7) to be subject to their own husbands (Gr. hypotassomenas tois idiois andrasin) as to God’s ordained authority in their family (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1). Such behavior would guard the Word of God from dishonor by those who would otherwise observe inconsistency between the teaching of Scripture and the conduct of these women.
“A wife’s first responsibility is in her home.”[56]
| The World’s View | God’s View |
|---|---|
| 1. Home is a boring drudgey. | 1. Home is a haven to come to from the world. |
| 2. Homemaking and children are a burden. | 2. They are God’s good gifts. |
| 3. Value material success and self-gratification NOW. | 3. Value character and godliness, and invest in the future. |
| 4. Place children in childcare. | 4. Parents should teach and fulfill their responsibilities to train their children. |
| 5. Children, homemaking, and often marriage get in the way of self-achievement. | 5. Raising godly children is one of the ways to fulfill God’s purposes. |
| 6. Demand your rights to fulfillment. | 6. Give up your rights and become a servant. |
2:6–8 - young men (including Titus)
What strike is that there is only one requirement. They should be sensible (Gr. sophronein; self-controlled, 1 Tim 2:9; 3:2, Titus 2:2.5) and for Titus a good example (pattern) of good deeds (1 Tim. 4:15–16).
Regarding Titus’ teaching, it has to have the following qualities:
Uncorruptness (integrity) - freedom from evil intentions and respect for the teaching itself, that one is sharing with others;
Gravity (dignity) - the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity;
Healthy word that can withstand any criticism.
Thus, here we have a connection that any preacher needs to learn: personal life and teaching need to go hand in hand. Only in this case, an enemy will be defeated.
The enemies of the Church find it difficult to question our doctrine. But, they find easy way to question our lifestyle.
2:9–10
Slaves were known for their readiness to embrace new religions. Paul’s words to slaves begin with a general request followed by four principles arranged chiastically (positive, negative, negative, positive) the first two of which address attitude and the last two fidelity.[63]
Believing slaves were (1) to be submissive to their own masters in everything and (2) to try to please their masters. They were (3) to refrain from talking back when given instructions, (4) not to steal from them, and (5) to prove completely trustworthy. Again the reason for this kind of behavior follows. It is that such behavior is in harmony with and therefore adorns (contributes to the enhancement of by providing a complimentary setting for) the teaching concerning God our Savior.
“Since slaves were part of the Hellenistic household, it is quite possible that the false teachers’ disruption of Cretan households (1:11) accounts for the kind of disrespectful behavior among slaves implied by this set of instructions. Something similar had occurred in Ephesus (see 1 Tim 6:1–2).”[64]
“There are no slaves in our [United States] society today, but there are employees. Christian workers must obey orders and not talk back. They must not steal from their employers. Millions of dollars are lost each year by employers whose workers steal from them, everything from paper clips and pencils to office machines and vehicles. ‘They owe it to me!’ is no excuse. Neither is, ‘Well, I’ve earned it!’’“
2:11–14 - the reason for our way of living - Incarnation and Parousia.
The grace of God - Christ came to save all - 1 Tim 2:4. That grace of salvation give to us is teaching how to live in this world while awaiting the coming of Christ.
“The Greek verb prosdechomenoi (“looking for”) is in the present tense indicating that this waiting should be our characteristic attitude, always ready to welcome the returning Lord. We do not want to feel ashamed when we meet Him face to face (1 John 2:28; 3:3). “
Regarding our life in this world. First, the negative aspect - denying impiety and worldly lusts. Then, there is the positive aspect - sensibly, righteously, and piously live the present age.
Jesus’ saving death on the cross has three main aspects here:
2:15 -
Titus is called to proclaim the above mentioned kerygma - preaching. Knowing that we were ransomed from our slavery and that we are valuable to Christ, we should act the way Christ wants us to act. Titus [every leader] should exhort some and reprimand others. A leader can do it, because he possesses an authority and the age of a leader is no excuse for disregarding his teaching.