Titus 2

 Paul starts chapter 2 by telling Titus to do the opposite of what the false teachers are doing in chapter 1.  Titus is to teach healthy, pure, uncorrupted, RIGHT instruction.  The older men are to be clear minded (The word here means free from life-dominating influences), honorable, able to curb desires and impulses, strong in loyalty, love (agapao is the original word which means to actively do what the Lord prefers, by His power and direction), unmoved from His purpose, even in trials.  Older women (the word here is especially women over 50 😳) are supposed to follow a similar pattern; live a life that fits someone sacred to God, not a slanderer (the word for this is diaballo, which is the same root as the word used for the devil), not a slave to wine in excess, a teacher of what is good.  All of this so they can properly encourage younger women to stay correct in their sense of duty--to love their husbands, to love their children, to also be able to curb desires and impulses, to be chaste, to guard their homes, to be good-natured, to accept the chain of command that makes up the family, so that God will be lifted up.  And the same goes for the younger men.  Titus is encouraged to consider himself and his actions to be the template by which others can pattern their lives.  He should be a model of the opposite of the corruption around him.  What he says and what he does should be able to withstand any blame or condemnation of those who look for any wrongdoing. Bondslaves (doulous-- a word used with highest dignity in the NT) also should live a life that puts in order the teaching of God through Christ Jesus our Savior in every way. 

 Our motivation for living this way is the kindness of God, which has drawn and is drawing all.  The grace that God showed is training us to say no to ungodliness and desires of the world. We should live with a sound mind, honest and reverent before God NOW, as we wait for the appearing of Christ Jesus, who gave Himself so we CAN live this way.  We are His people and He desires for us to be pure and purely sold out for His work.  

 Not much ruffles the feathers of the modern woman more than verses that talk about submission to our husbands.  Surely we aren't their slaves, right?  As an 18 year old bride, I INSISTED the preacher keep the word obey in my vows (although that word was starting to trend out of vows even 32 years ago!), and I still struggle with submission.  But verses 11 through 14 change me!   The God who created us knows best what will make us the most useful in His Kingdom. We as women have a very specific, God-given role in our homes for sure.  But the home is a training ground for us, as much as it is for children.  If we would willingly accept our role in the home, whether we think our husband deserves it or not, how much more effective can we be in good works toward others?  If we can't even accept that our service to our husband, who we LOVE, is a direct result of our deliberate choice to live a sound, righteous, and God-honoring life, then how can we reach others with the gospel?  Jesus has given Himself to redeem us.  He bought us back from a worldly view that has no laws, and where there are no boundaries, there can be no trust.  Jesus is lovingly teaching us how to live purely, the way we are created, which is the template for His Kingdom.