In chapter 1 we saw the effects of the false teachers in Crete.  Here and in chapter 3 we will be looking seeing an emphasis on sound doctrine as a means to living an ethical life and guarding against error.  This applies to all groups within the congregation.  An emphasis falls on the family group where the false teachers did their greatest damage.

(2:1)     KJV uses the word “But” to draw a contrast from the previous chapter.  Other versions do not use the word “but” however the contrast is still intact.  Chapters 2 and 3 speak of good works.  Sound teaching and a holy lifestyle are the antidotes for the problems in these local churches.  Correct doctrine must result in good behavior.  Titus is instructed to speak as a true minister of God as opposed to the false teachers of the previous chapter.  2 Tim. 4:2-4  speaks of teaching sound doctrine and how the people will not want to hear it.   See Titus 2:15 for our position in such cases.

The Word of God is the basis of sound doctrine and reveals the lies of the false teachers.   It produces a life that is please to the Lord.  It is important when teaching, to keep to the text of the Word of God.  The true teacher is to be mature, grace-oriented, and their life must back up the teachings from the Word.   Personal opinion is not as important as the text of the Word.  Sticking to the text prevents various negative traits from coming forward (preaching, scolding, pontificating, playing to the crowd, sermonizing, etc.).  That which endures in a believer’s life is that portion of the Word of God which actually gets applied.

(2:2)     Paul now starts to deal with each age group.  The aged men (spiritually mature, senior in rank) were the natural leaders of the people.  The value of their example depends on their moral character.  Four qualifications are insisted on:

            1 – “temperate” – clear headed in every way

            2 – “worthy of respect” – personal dignity and seriousness inviting honor and respect

            3 – “self controlled” – self mastery in thought and judgement

            4 – “sound in faith, in love, and in endurance” – a Christian healthiness of heart and mind

            Sound in faith refers to a personal faith in the Lord.

Mature in their genuine love.  Endurance, that bravely bears the trials and afflictions of life.  A new believer or “young man” doesn’t have enough grounding to handle all situation in the Lord’s grace.  However, we should be learning and growing in our walk through the Word in order to be able when the time comes later.

The mature believer is to be well-balanced, self-controlled, restrained, alert (gr. neifw - sober in some versions).  He/she is to be so established in the Lord that there is victory over the obvious defects of the soul.  He should possess the characteristics of good character and personal integrity.  A young man has many traits (looks, strength, endurance, energy, etc.) which may cause some defects to be covered up.  Old age strips the body of its glamour and emphasizes the beauty of the soul.  A mature man’s wisdom, discernment, prudence are great assets to his community and church.  “Sound in faith” – uncorrupted, with spiritual maturity and integrity because of faith in God and in His Word.  He should be experienced in the use of faith.  It is not the intensity of the faith but the object of the faith that is important and powerful.   We come up with many questions of God relating to trusting Him and the promises of His word.  The answer for us should be found in looking at the older mature Christians as our example of the effectiveness of God’s principles.  Yes, we can trust in God and in His Word – it works in all circumstances.  As they look more and more to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we can look to them as we are built up in Him.

“Patience:  “endurance, tolerance, fortitude, patience” – the ability to endure toil, suffering, severe disappointment, without falling apart, without getting depressed, without striking out against enemies, real or imagined.   Patience is also the ability to delay gratification, to wait for God’s timing for everything – promotion, recognition, prosperity, rights.  Children want immediate gratification of every desire, ever whim.  Mature people can wait as long as necessary to receive what they need or want, knowing that the Lord will prosper in His own time.”  (quote from Grace Notes study on Titus 2:1-2).

(2:3)     Likewise – the same responsibilities are required of the older women as related to their situation in life.  Their conduct should reveal that they regard life as sacred.  As “mature” Christians they should not be involved in “gossip” which is hurtful to others and they should not overindulge in drinking.  These two behaviors are purposely mentioned together and they do work hand in hand.  Intoxication promotes as loose tongue.  They must teach good traits to other by example and personal instruction.

They are to be “reverent in the way they live” – “behavior” in the KJV – referring to their manner of life.  “The older woman is to have a reputation or manner of life that is worthy of respect as a mature woman of God.” (from Grace Notes – Titus 2:3-6 study).  “Slanderers” (NIV) – “False Accusers” (KJV) – derived from the same Greek word as “accuser” referring to Satan, the accuser of the brethren.  The woman of God is to have victory over the sins of the tongue – not a false accuser.   The attitude toward the women’s use of alcohol is, not to becoming a slave to it, in the Greek.  The emphasis on wine here is due to drunkenness being a problem in Crete at this time.  Actually, the mature older woman must not be in bondage to any addictions of the flesh in order to be an example and teacher of the younger women.  There are many younger women who are looking toward and need the wisdom, direction, and instruction of the older women of God in the church.

(2:4)     The older women are to teach by example, lessons of sobriety and self control.  The young women were not to be trained by Titus, but by the older women.  Younger women usually referred to those newly married.  There were seven characteristics, two of which are: love their husbands and love their children.  These are fundamentals at the heart of the Christian home. Young women have many pressures starting out in married life and family life.  They should look to the older mature women for the stability they need to learn to overcome depression and bitterness that can creep in.  How do the older women handle things?  They should be taught to see life from a Scriptural vantagepoint and make decisions from the wisdom of God’s viewpoint.  The older woman should be a picture of Grace.  They are to love their husbands or be husband-loving, and to love their children.  The Christian woman is more concerned with the bringing up of children because they should be concern with everything that is associated with “bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  There is more responsibility involved in the spiritual home than just natural maternal love.  They need to be concerned with respect for authority especially the authority of God, dependence on God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God as well as the natural teachings.

(2:5)     They are to teach them to be self-controlled and pure.  This includes every aspect of life.  There should be purity of heart, mind, and conduct.  Here – having a sound mind, sensible and discreet.  Discretion is the result of the stability of thinking they have.    They are to be “busy at home and kind.”   She is to be occupied with domestic affairs.  She is to cultivate the virtue of being kind – doing what is good and beneficial to others (not easy).  Both men and women have to be taught about sin, about true love and marriage, about proper behavior between sexes, so that they can avoid sin and experience God’s blessings in life to the maximum.  The best Bible example of the mature woman of God is Ruth!  Read Ruth 3:1-11.  The seventh characteristic is subjection or obedience to her husband.  She must realize and accept the relationship of husband and wife as her Christian duty.  Spiritual equality with a functional position to compliment and support her husband as head of the house.   WHY all these characteristics?  So no one will malign the Word of God – It takes all seven – Christianity will be judged especially by the impact it has upon the younger women.  Are they living a new moral life?  If they continue in the ways of their old culture, hey the Gospel is powerless and discredited.  They must demonstrate God’s salvation by a changed life.  “It takes spiritual preparation to be willingly submissive to authority, but the sensible Christian woman knows there is much more at stake, that a much larger plan is involved.” (Grace Notes – Titus 2:3-6 study).

(2:6)     Young men – be self controlled.  Period!  Titus, a young man himself, is able to deal directly with teaching the young men.  Young men are impetuous and unrestrained generally.  They must learn self-control and practice self-restraint.  Everything for them can be summed up in one teaching.