Titus 2:1-10 – Living a life demonstrating the effect of the Gospel

Titus was told to live diametrically different from those false teachers. He was expected to teach things that reflected sound doctrines. Mindful that the believers were under the watchful eyes of the world, Paul wrote urging Titus to instruct them to live a life that would be appealing to the world.

He began by identifying the different groups of people that instructions should be given. He mentioned older men, older women, younger women, younger men, slaves and even elders (implied). Why such inclusiveness? This is because the Kingdom of God is for everyone regardless of age, gender or status. Paul was concerned about life as it ought to be lived, and how each group should fit into the whole body. Of the groups mentioned, the elders would play a crucial role. They formed the link between these different groups. Elders were expected to be blameless in their teaching and to model the teachings in their lives. They were the ones who must do the teaching to the different groups.

Having dealt with the different groups, Paul then went on to tell them how the Christian life ought to be lived. One could be excessively spiritual about Christian living and begin to border on mysticism. Here, Paul was talking about living one’s life in the ordinary affairs of human existence. In each group Paul gave some aspects for their consideration.

Paul began by providing instruction for the older men. He said that firstly, they must be temperate. This term does not just refer to not being intoxicated with wine, but could also refer to being sober-minded and clear in thinking. Secondly, they must be dignified, meaning that they should be serious in purpose, or to have personal dignity. Thirdly, they must be sensible. A sensible person is always a balanced person who does not give in to excessive impulsive passion. Fourthly, they must be sound in faith. Their belief in God must be sound and healthy. Fifthly, they must be sound in love. Having trust in God, age should make them more loving, not more bad-tempered. Finally, they must be sound in perseverance. They should remain faithful to God in the face of difficulties in life.

The next group Paul dealt with was the older women. He said that these older women must firstly be reverence in behavior. Their inner character must demonstrate their reverence for God. Secondly, they must not be malicious gossips. They should not damage the character of others by their malicious talks. Thirdly, they must not be enslaved to wine. Fourthly, they must teach what is good. The teaching here refers to teaching younger women. The word “good” has the connotation of attractiveness. Their teaching should encourage younger women to be godly homemakers.

In defining the teaching role of the older women, Paul went on to deal with how young women ought to conduct themselves. Firstly, they ought to love their husbands. Secondly, they ought to love their children. Thirdly, they must be sensible and rational. Fourthly, they must be pure. Paul was probably talking about sexual purity. Fifthly, they should stay home to make their home a beautiful place. Sixthly, they should be kind. Seventhly, they should subject to their own husbands. The reason Paul gave these instructions was to ensure that the Word of God would not be discredited.

The next group Paul talked about would be the young men. They were exhorted to be sensible. This seems to be the only instruction for younger men. It poses the hope that young men can be sensible.

Having dealt with the instruction to be given to young men, Paul urged that Titus and the elders should live lives modeling good deeds. Not only that, they were also encouraged to be pure in doctrines, dignified in character, sound in speech and to be beyond reproach. Paul reckoned that if Titus and the elders lived such a life, there would be nothing for the enemy to lay hold of to malign them.

Finally, he gave some instructions concerning the slaves. First of all they must be subject to their masters in everything. Secondly, they must be well pleasing not argumentative. Slaves must provide cheerful service and must not talk back to their masters. Thirdly, they should not pilfer or steal from their masters; but be loyal and trustworthy. In so doing, they would demonstrate the fact that they had followed the sound doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Why should we Christians behave in the ways as prescribed by Paul? We can see three clear reasons: firstly, the Word of God would not be maligned (verse 5); secondly, the elders and believers will not be scorned, but respect will be accorded to them (verse 8); and thirdly, the Gospel would then be attractive to others (verse 10).