The Book of Titus. Pt. 4
Good morning to you!
After some overnight showers, this day is filled with fresh air, blue skies and brilliant sunshine. Summer in Ohio is more tolerable than in the Southern part of America. Of course, both of us worked in hot production settings for a good number of years, so we find heat and humidity really takes the proverbial wind out of our sails!
I think it is time to push deeper into our overview of Titus Chapter 2. We will need 2 posts to complete our study of chapter 2. My primary concern is that we do not move too hastily and miss what the Lord may have for us.
Titus 2:7-8
Paul seems to turn here to offer some personal encouragement to Titus. He wants Titus to be able to sincerely present himself in Crete as a man who has some specific qualities of Christian leadership and a Godly maturity.
Paul tells us what this would look like. This is good because it also shows us what we should strive for in our walk with the Lord. The single most important thing that Paul stressed is maintaining a "pattern of good works."
The "pattern of good works" is another special phrase only found in verse 7.
What does it mean to have a pattern of good works?
The word "pattern" is a word that means striking a blow with a hammer against a chisel to engrave something into a hard material. We could say it means that a pattern is to be chiseled into or imprinted on Titus so that he will always bear that image of Christ.
This would also be the same work the Spirit of Christ is doing in our hearts today: imprinting the image of Christ upon us. We will find great satisfaction in this because we were created to be image bearers of the Holy God of heaven. This is what Paul is getting at.
In one sense of this word, Paul is reminding Titus that he is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. In another sense of this word, Paul reminds Titus that he is also to be a Godly ethical example for others to imitate, because TItus is following Christ.
In yet another sense of this same word, Paul reminds Titus that he will be warning those who will not heed the word of God. Titus will need to confront the issues of sin in the church and warn those who disobey that they are in danger of judgment.
What are the good works that are part of this pattern?
The word "good" is a word that means morally pure. Titus is called to maintain a pure heart and a pure life before the Lord of Glory. God would change Titus from the inside out, so that he could be an example of a transformed life that others would wish to follow.
What about the word "works?" This Greek word (ergon) is found in the English language as ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of workplace efficiency and the study of people in their work environment. In the case of Titus it is the idea of doing the task at hand effectively. Whatever it is that he is working on for the Lord, Titus is to do it well.
Why does Paul give a high and lofty standard to Titus, and by extension, to you and me? Well, for one thing, it is good for our souls to pursue these things. For another, Titus is going to be encouraging other Christians to follow the Lord. Titus must set a good example before them with his own conduct.
Last, Titus will be facing the opponents of the gospel and if he does not live according to the word of God, his enemies would rightly expose him as a hypocrite.
Our Lord Jesus Christ expressed great condemnation toward those religious leaders who opposed Him. They pretended to be Godly people but inwardly, they were full of all uncleanness. This is the very thing that Paul does not want to see in the life of Titus (or in you and me) because it ruins your testimony and is repulsive to those you seek to witness to.
Read the text below to see how Jesus feels about those who claim to be born again, yet who live just like the world. Guided by God's Spirit, Paul wants to make sure we understand the importance of maintaining a good testimony.
Matthew 23:13-15 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Paul provided some specifics for Titus to observe. He needs to keep a sound doctrinal view that is pure doctrine, untainted by the various heresies that were going around.
The word "uncorruptness" is only used twice in the New Testament.
It is a word that means Titus needs an incorruptible mind and pure integrity. The word "sincerity" is the same word translated "uncorruptness." The Spirit of God places a strong emphasis upon this word as used in the text below.
The word "gravity" is only used 3 times in the New Testament. It means reverence & respect, honor and purity.
"Sound speech" means using words that have a healthy, wholesome impact upon people's hearts. In the case of Titus, he must engage in speech that the opponents of the gospel cannot condemn.
Paul is calling Titus, and calling us to follow the pattern of Christ our Savior. The apostle Peter tells us how Christ responded to His fiercest opponents.
1 Peter 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
The cumulative effect of what Paul is leading Titus to embrace is that even the opponents who seek to attack him, they will be ashamed because they have no moral basis to reject the teaching of Titus.
Titus 2:7-8 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
After some overnight showers, this day is filled with fresh air, blue skies and brilliant sunshine. Summer in Ohio is more tolerable than in the Southern part of America. Of course, both of us worked in hot production settings for a good number of years, so we find heat and humidity really takes the proverbial wind out of our sails!
I think it is time to push deeper into our overview of Titus Chapter 2. We will need 2 posts to complete our study of chapter 2. My primary concern is that we do not move too hastily and miss what the Lord may have for us.
Titus 2:7-8
Paul seems to turn here to offer some personal encouragement to Titus. He wants Titus to be able to sincerely present himself in Crete as a man who has some specific qualities of Christian leadership and a Godly maturity.
Paul tells us what this would look like. This is good because it also shows us what we should strive for in our walk with the Lord. The single most important thing that Paul stressed is maintaining a "pattern of good works."
The "pattern of good works" is another special phrase only found in verse 7.
What does it mean to have a pattern of good works?
The word "pattern" is a word that means striking a blow with a hammer against a chisel to engrave something into a hard material. We could say it means that a pattern is to be chiseled into or imprinted on Titus so that he will always bear that image of Christ.
This would also be the same work the Spirit of Christ is doing in our hearts today: imprinting the image of Christ upon us. We will find great satisfaction in this because we were created to be image bearers of the Holy God of heaven. This is what Paul is getting at.
In one sense of this word, Paul is reminding Titus that he is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. In another sense of this word, Paul reminds Titus that he is also to be a Godly ethical example for others to imitate, because TItus is following Christ.
In yet another sense of this same word, Paul reminds Titus that he will be warning those who will not heed the word of God. Titus will need to confront the issues of sin in the church and warn those who disobey that they are in danger of judgment.
What are the good works that are part of this pattern?
The word "good" is a word that means morally pure. Titus is called to maintain a pure heart and a pure life before the Lord of Glory. God would change Titus from the inside out, so that he could be an example of a transformed life that others would wish to follow.
What about the word "works?" This Greek word (ergon) is found in the English language as ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of workplace efficiency and the study of people in their work environment. In the case of Titus it is the idea of doing the task at hand effectively. Whatever it is that he is working on for the Lord, Titus is to do it well.
Why does Paul give a high and lofty standard to Titus, and by extension, to you and me? Well, for one thing, it is good for our souls to pursue these things. For another, Titus is going to be encouraging other Christians to follow the Lord. Titus must set a good example before them with his own conduct.
Last, Titus will be facing the opponents of the gospel and if he does not live according to the word of God, his enemies would rightly expose him as a hypocrite.
Our Lord Jesus Christ expressed great condemnation toward those religious leaders who opposed Him. They pretended to be Godly people but inwardly, they were full of all uncleanness. This is the very thing that Paul does not want to see in the life of Titus (or in you and me) because it ruins your testimony and is repulsive to those you seek to witness to.
Read the text below to see how Jesus feels about those who claim to be born again, yet who live just like the world. Guided by God's Spirit, Paul wants to make sure we understand the importance of maintaining a good testimony.
Matthew 23:13-15 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Paul provided some specifics for Titus to observe. He needs to keep a sound doctrinal view that is pure doctrine, untainted by the various heresies that were going around.
The word "uncorruptness" is only used twice in the New Testament.
It is a word that means Titus needs an incorruptible mind and pure integrity. The word "sincerity" is the same word translated "uncorruptness." The Spirit of God places a strong emphasis upon this word as used in the text below.
The word "gravity" is only used 3 times in the New Testament. It means reverence & respect, honor and purity.
"Sound speech" means using words that have a healthy, wholesome impact upon people's hearts. In the case of Titus, he must engage in speech that the opponents of the gospel cannot condemn.
Paul is calling Titus, and calling us to follow the pattern of Christ our Savior. The apostle Peter tells us how Christ responded to His fiercest opponents.
1 Peter 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
The cumulative effect of what Paul is leading Titus to embrace is that even the opponents who seek to attack him, they will be ashamed because they have no moral basis to reject the teaching of Titus.
Titus 2:7-8 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Titus 2:9-10
Paul has one more group that he wants Titus to address while he is in Crete setting things in order. He wants to make sure that any servants or slaves who are Christians, know what the expectation is for them from God.
Many historians estimate that nearly 1/3 of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves. That figure could have been as high as 500,000 slaves!
Some slaves had exhibited wrong behavior and Titus must address this as well. There are 5 behavior standards God set for those who were born again, but were also a slave.
- First, a slave must obey his master. Some did and some did not. The Christian slave should set a higher standard than slaves who are unbelievers, seems to be Paul's argument.
- Second, the Christian slave should have the best work ethic and do every job he is given to the best of his ability.
- Thirdly, the Christian slave is not to answer back to his master. That is, he may not back talk or complain.
- Fourthly, the Christian slave is not to purloin anything. That is, he is not to steal from his master, either by taking something, or by being a slow, lazy worker.
- Instead the Christian slave is exhorted to show forth good fidelity. That is, he must be a faithful worker who can be counted on to do the job correctly.
The purpose of encouraging slaves to be Christlike as slaves, is so that the doctrine of God our savior is adorned in all things. This is the idea of a slave honoring God with his work and with his behavior as it relates to his master.
Titus 2:9-10 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to
please them well in all things; not answering again;
Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Points to Ponder.....
- Maintaining a pattern of good works matters because our Lord taught this.
Matthew
5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- Maintaining a pattern of good works matters because the Spirit guided Apostles taught this.
Ephesians
2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them
- Maintaining a pattern of good works brings honor and glory to our God.
- Maintaining a pattern of good works aligns our hearts with His word.
- Maintaining a pattern of good works gives a pure, moral example for others to follow Christ.
- Failure to do this may result in others seeing us as hypocrites who say one thing and do another.
Oh, this book is so good for us to study. God makes His will very clear on the pages of scripture. We should desire to bring Him honor, glory and live in such a way that other people around us will also praise God.
The Christian should be the best at what he or she does wherever the Lord has placed us. Christian students, Christian employees, Christian business owners, Christian lay leaders and ministers of the gospel, Christians everywhere are exhorted to maintain a pattern of good works as part of their testimony.
May all our lives be lived and to God be the glory!
Bob
Comments
Post a Comment