Titus 2 - Right Belief and Right Living are Inseparable!
Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel
2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Paul points to the importance of the older part of the congregation being an example to the younger generation of what it means to be a Christ follower. This is not only by what they teach, but maybe more importantly, by the way they live their lives. He lifts up different qualities for the men and women to show in their daily lives. This reminds us that men and women are different.
Though we all sin and fall short of God's glory, men and women are wired differently and struggle with different aspect of our sinful nature. The men should be temperate, meaning they should stay in control of their bodily desires. Their faith needs to be strong and evidence by the love they show to their wives and children. They don't have to be "macho men", but real men exude humility, love, and servanthood just like Jesus did.
The older women Paul teaches to be reverent, avoid gossip, and not excessive in their drinking of wine. By saying this he is not forbidding the drinking of wine, but urging it to be done in moderation. The bible's consistent teaching is drunkenness and all that comes with it is a sin but not moderate drinking. Similarly, Paul encouraged Timothy to drink a little wine for settling of his stomach and possibly because he was becoming a little hung on the issue of drinking. They are also to teach what is good, presumably in relationship to their children, since in other places Paul teaches that women should not teach men.
Women oversee the children and household, as the first century norm was more patriarchal than egalitarian. Many point to Paul's teachings and say women today should also primarily focus on the household, though in many Christian circles this is strongly rebuffed. They would argue that this model was not just the model for first century Christians, but normative for all time.
The church has debated the issue of Christian women and their role and purpose in church and in the home. I think a woman should be able to pursue a career and use her spiritual gifts in the body of Christ. Though this was the norm for the culture in Paul's day, I don't think he would say the same things today. There are other passages in scripture which show women playing an in important in the growth of the church.
Here are some examples of women in the scripture who were prophetesses.
Yes, the Bible specifically identifies several women as prophets (or "prophetesses"). While most biblical prophets were male, women held prominent prophetic roles in both the Old and New Testaments.
Prominent Women Prophets in the Old Testament
Five women are explicitly given the title of prophet (Hebrew: nebi'ah) in the Hebrew Bible:
Miriam: The sister of Moses and Aaron, described as "Miriam the prophetess" in Exodus 15:20. She led the Israelites in worship and is recognized in Micah 6:4 as a leader alongside her brothers.
Deborah: A unique figure who served as both a prophet and the only female judge of Israel (Judges 4:4). She delivered military commands from God and led the nation in a victory song.
Huldah: A prophetess consulted by King Josiah's officials after the Book of the Law was found in the temple (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22). Her prophecy triggered major religious reforms in Judah.
The Prophetess of Isaiah: Isaiah refers to his wife as "the prophetess" in Isaiah 8:3. It is debated whether this was a formal title or a reference to her relationship with Isaiah.
Noadiah: Mentioned in Nehemiah 6:14, she is described as a prophetess who opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Women Prophets in the New Testament
The New Testament continues to affirm the role of women in prophecy:
Anna: An elderly widow and prophetess at the Temple in Jerusalem who recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah and spoke about Him to those seeking redemption (Luke 2:36–38).
The Four Daughters of Philip: In Acts 21:8–9, Philip the Evangelist is noted for having four unmarried daughters who "prophesied" as a regular ministry.
Jezebel (False Prophetess): The Book of Revelation mentions a woman in Thyatira who "calls herself a prophetess" but is condemned for leading people into immorality (Revelation 2:20). - (AI Google)
We read that women played a major role in the book of Acts. I.e. Lydia, Phoebe, and Mary and Martha, who were the first eyewitnesses and proclaimers that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he had promised.
Paul says in Galatians 5:22, "In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave or free, male or female, but all are on in Christ Jesus."
While not changing the inherent and genetic differences we have as male and female (which is happening today), Paul teaches that all believers receive the Holy Spirit and His gifts. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers our ministry, which is not dependent on our gender.
This issue is still hotly debated by bible believing Christians, who simply interpret the bible differently in regard to the role of women in the church and in the home. With all of the unbelievers that still exist in our world today, I believe we should focus less on this and more on how both we as men and women are called to fulfill the Great Commission.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Paul urges the young men to be self-controlled. You can see being in control of one's desires was a big issue in the church of Crete and all the 1st century churches for that matter. It is still an issue today. Paul describes the sinful nature also as the "flesh". We all have fleshly desires that, unless they are checked, can hinder our witness. We will never be free of the desires of the flesh until Jesus takes us home, but we can through the power of the Holy Spirit not give in to these desires.
Though young men and old men struggle equally with reigning in the desires of the flesh, Paul expects the older men to be an example for the younger men in this area.
Then Paul goes back to the overarching theme of this letter, which is the teaching sound doctrine. So, you can see Paul gives equal emphasis in this letter, and all of his letters, that our life and our doctrine are equally important. We can have great doctrine, but if we are living in the flesh, it doesn't really matter. On the flipside we can be living rightly but if it is for the wrong reasons (trying to gain God's approval), it is equally bad.
Sound doctrine and sound living are at the heart of any good church. If a church is lacking in either there mission will be severely compromised.
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
In similar fashion, Paul teaches slaves to obey their masters for the sake of giving a good witness for Christ. We always have to our 21st view of slavery and the role it played Paul and Jesus' day was a lot different. The 21st slavery of Africans in our country and others was "dehumanizing" slavery and completely sinful. Thankfully it was Christians like Abraham Lincoln and William Willberforce, who led the abolition of slavery. If a slave disobeyed or stole from their master it would bring a stain on the gospel.
This follows the model of, "bloom where you are planted". We all pursue different vocations. For a time most of us at one point in our lives have had minimum wage jobs, or done menial labor. Or, maybe you still do today. No matter where you vocation lands you, we are all called to give witness to Christ wherever we work.
I had many jobs in high school and college, was in the business world for five years after college, and even had very menial job to put myself through seminary. But in every setting I tried to exude a Christlike attitude and work ethic. I had many opportunities that came up in the course of working to share the reason of the hope I had within me as a Christian. It was helpful for me to work in the marketplace, so I can relate to those of you who do the same. Your job can be an incredible place to share the gospel as you earn the respect of your co-workers, bosses, and other staff members.
We are reminded, "Whoever is faithful in a little will be given much more." Luke 16:10
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
As we are faithful to exhibit the qualities and characteristics Paul lifts up in this passage, we will be ready for Jesus to return. We will all fail from time to time, and we need to just confess our sins to Jesus and move on. Satan will try to condemn you and tell you that you aren't a real Christian because you keep on sinning. Ultimately Satan wants to "shipwreck your faith". But he can never do this because,
"Greater is he who is in you than he that is in the world!" 1 John 4:4
Are you saying "no" to ungodliness? This does not mean a return to legalism? Jesus came to give you "abundant life", so nothing Paul is advocating here is not good for you. To be self-controlled, with respect to the desires of the flesh, keeps you from being in bondage to it. I.e. We see so many people who become addicts of all types and destroy their lives and the lives of others around them!
The bottom line as Paul says in Galatians, "If you walk with the Spirit you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16
Note this is a promise. So we can never say like comedian Flip Wilson said in the 70's, "The devil made me do it!" We do it when we choose sin and give in our to our sinful nature.
In all this, remember God's grace is sufficient for you, especially if you have had a moral failure in your past or recently. It is grace that led you to the Father and grace will lead you home!
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