Paul has been giving Titus some specific instructions for varying age groups within the church in Crete. He has covered older men and women, along with how the older women were to instruct the younger women. In this week’s passage, he moves on to the younger men.
You can see this passage in Titus 2:6-8:
Right off the bat, Paul tells Titus that the first thing needed among the younger men is self-control. Why? Because this may be the biggest problem area that younger men face. Developing self-control is something that will benefit almost every single part of their lives.
The term “younger men” usually referred to men under forty years of age in New Testament times. But if Paul’s instruction to Titus about older men was centered around men in their in their sixties or better, then that leaves a significant gap between the two. Because of this, Paul may be including men up to about sixty years of age in this category.
And self-control is definitely needed among this age group, even today. This phrase means to keep their heads, to be sensible, and to think clearly. This is the same idea exhibited in regard to the older men and women. With the frequency Paul uses this word and its various forms, it seem likely that this may have been a big problem on Crete.
However, Titus isn’t simply to instruct this group of men. He is to be the example. This is probably due to the fact that he fits into this category himself, and may also be indicative of the need of men to see faith lived out in practical ways.
On top of the visible example, Titus is to teach these men primarily in three areas:
Show integrity
Titus is to be above reproach in all that he does and teaches. His moral stance is to be pure and incorruptible. His teaching is to be pure and solid. With the Gnostic problem so prevalent on Crete, Paul probably anticipated that Titus would be challenged to live his faith purely, because people would be watching him closely.
Seriousness
This is the idea of dignity, and conveying a higher moral tone or stance. Frivolous behavior could damage his work on Crete. This is not to say that he could not enjoy himself, but that in all he did, he was to carry himself well, and earn the respect of those around him. The same is true today: our task is to reach out to the world with the message of the gospel. This is no light task, but requires our utmost attention and earnestness.
Soundness of speech
The idea behind this phrase may be a bit confusing. Paul is probably not talking about having sound doctrine here, but has more to do with the manner in which Titus presents that teaching. Titus’ everyday words needed to be the kind of words that encouraged people to live more spiritually minded. His words were to be the kinds of word that brought people hope, not just in his preaching, but in the normal day-to-day conversations with everyone he came into contact with.
The reason for this is stated next: so that those who opposed him could find nothing bad to say about him. Titus apparently had those on Crete that opposed his teachings. Every word he uttered was to be carefully considered so that they had no basis for complaining about him. Living such a life above reproach was essential to silencing the naysayers.
Paul’s intent is that Titus carry himself in such a way to be the example for the younger men in his care. He must be the same man in everyday life as he is in worship. He is to show the younger men that faith could be lived out in daily, practical ways that stood strong on the truths of Scripture. And this would silence the opposition.
Our task today is not so different. Our goal is stated clearly in 1 Peter 2:12:
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
What could be more clear than that?
Question: How do you live your life to be an example to others? What kinds of things do you do? You can leave a comment by clicking here.