SCRIPTURE: TITUS 2
WHAT MUST BE TAUGHT TO VARIOUS GROUPS (vs. 1-13)
- Older men – To be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (v. 2)
- 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. (v. 3)
- Young women – Love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands. (vs. 4-5)
- Young men – To be self-controlled. Set an example by doing what is good. Show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned so that no one can say something bad about you. (vs. 6-8)
- Slaves – To be subject to their masters in everything. Try to please them, not to talk back to them and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted. (vs. 9-10)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purity for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (vs.11-15)
THOUGHTS:
The church is composed of various groups of people, so Paul gave instructions to Titus on how to teach them. The older people should teach the younger by words and by examples. Christians must stay above reproach with wisdom and discernment to be discreet and to master their wills, tongues and passions so that Christ will not be dishonored. Self-control is important in Christian community with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints to avoid conflicts.
Women should learn to live in a Christian manner – loving their husbands and caring for their children. Men should assume their responsibilities of the role as a husband and father. Slaves must do their work diligently and honestly. Masters must treat their slaves fairly and respectfully.
The grace of God brings salvation and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live as a Christian. Because Christ died and rescued us from sin, we are free from sin’s control. We have to live according to His will and do good. We must no longer be under sin’s influence as we grow in Christ.