When all is in its normal state, even the careless, or those that sooner or later turn out refractory, are overawed by the strength of the current that runs in the right direction; but when that current becomes weaker, and shallows begin to show themselves, and all sorts of obstructions in the way, then is precisely the moment when real faith and humility of heart are not only displayed by the saints, but are specially honoured of the Lord. Yeah, he's supposed to be a Christian and look at that blankety-blank so-and-so. And when the unavoidable trials come to the young woman, who better to guide her through than an older sister who has been through it before? There we touch again that which came before us in the second epistle to Timothy; but a few words more may be now added. It is a great mistake to suppose that there may not be such a thing as arrangement in ministry. If he had, he would have used the common word - presbuteros- presbyter (see Matthew 15:2; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 21:23; Matthew 26:3, Matthew 26:47, Matthew 26:57, Matthew 26:59; 1 Timothy 5:1, 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Timothy 5:19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1), instead of the unusual word - presbutes- an old or aged man - a word which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Luke 1:18, For I am an old man, and Philemon 1:9, being such an one as Paul the aged. It is in no instance applied to an office. 1 Peter 2:18, Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Not answering again; not contradicting them, nor disputing it with them; not giving them any disrespectful or provoking language. The unbelieving masters would think the better of that despised way, which was every where spoken against, when they found that those of their servants who were Christians were better than their other servants--more obedient and submissive, more just and faithful, and more diligent in their places. Remember these were recently Irreverence. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:10. Temperate --prudent (see NIV & RSV) Charity --easy to drift into fault-finding and criticism. Care not for it,1 Corinthians 7:21. "Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the for they are unprofitable and vain. Then in the closing verses he gives some needed practical exhortations. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Not enslaved by much wine, not habitual drunkards or tipplers; habit is a species of slavery. It was not merely a question of man supplying his own wants; we ought to have a heart for others. Copyright 2019, GodTube.com. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958. Those virtues before mentioned (sobriety, gravity, temperance, soundness in the faith, charity, and patience), recommended to aged men, are not proper to them only, but applicable to both sexes, and to be looked to by aged women as well as men. It may well be that the greatest danger of age is that it should drift into censoriousness and fault-finding. Faithfulness in a servant lies in the ready, punctual, and thorough execution of his master's orders; keeping his secrets and counsels, despatching his affairs, and managing with frugality, and to as much just advantage for his master as he is able; looking well to his trusts, and preventing, as far as he can, all spoil, or loss, or damage. Had it been so, either the leading brethren, or perhaps the saints as a whole, would have been too ready to take the matter into their own hands. Aged men [ ]. The day to day demeanor of the Christian lady is carried on with the propriety of one in constant worship. The dynamic of this new life is the expectation of the coming of Jesus Christ. Undoubtedly there are some things wanting now; and I for one believe that it is of God that they should be wanting in the present state of Christendom. I think it's great what you did. II. 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. San Fernando, California: Tolle Publications, 1965. You know, it's a beautiful thing and way, age does Matthew Henrys Commentary on the Whole Bible. 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. IV. Not given to wine. Busby, Horace W. Practical Sermons of Persuasive Power. He should have overcome, at his time of life, all the fiery, impetuous, envious, wrathful passions of his early years, and his mind should be subdued into sweet benevolence to all mankind.In patience - In the infirmities of old age - in the trials resulting from the loss of the friends of their early years - in their loneliness in the world, they should show that the effect of all God's dealings with them has been to produce patience. 4. A man is very short-sighted if he sets all his heart and expends all his labour on things which he must leave behind when he quits this world. It's important, so important that I know and realize that Jesus is coming at any moment and that I need to live in anticipation and expectancy of His immediate return, the glorious appearing of our great God and our Savior. vi., speaking of old women, says: . that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience: That old men are to be simple in their tastes, serious, wise, true in faith, in love, and of a quiet mind. "They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." These also must be instructed and warned. Whispering, backbiting, and talebearing are also condemned in the scriptures as sins of the tongue. Such shall not mourn at the last, but have peace and comfort in death, and after it a glorious crown of life. And I said, Oh my, no. _But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine._ 2. This page was last modified on September 15, 2017, at 7:04 AM. All women, old and young, should study with the same intensity as men to be "ready to give an answer" for their hope. These are the men who really do act on souls for good day by day in the jar of circumstances, and justly so. The Biblical Doctrine of Grace. Marshallton, Delaware: The National Foundation for Christian Education, n.d. Jamieson, Robert, A.R. The years must teach us, not to trust God less but to trust him more. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Sound in faith - 1 Timothy 1:10 note; Titus 1:13 note. OLDER MEN Titus 2:1-2. No sooner do you leave it in the hands of the Lord than He appears, and will make it perfectly manifest who is on His side and who is against Him. Still we are wholly wrong if we do not profit by that which the word of God has laid down as to local charges. [16] David Lipscomb, New Testament Commentaries, Titus (Nashville: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1976), p. 272. We are not to understand it either of obeying or pleasing them absolutely, without any limitation; but always with a reserve of God's right, which may in no case be entrenched upon. We must keep in mind that the converts had recently been given to healthy vices. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of Elders are a local charge. That the aged women likewise (as well as the men) be in behaviour as becometh holiness; or as beseems and is proper for holy persons, such as they profess to be and should be, keeping a pious decency and decorum in clothing and gesture, in looks and speech, and all their deportment, and this from an inward principle and habit of holiness, influencing and ordering the outward conduct at all times. "In hope (says he) of eternal life, which God that cannot lie" an expression evidently used because of the character of the persons to whom he is writing, who are, indeed, but a sample of what man has always proved himself, even such as bear the name of Christ. In accordance with this, it may be profitable to observe the ways of God. Christ came not to destroy or prejudice civil order and differences. instead of judging him for dead. Does that mean that I can live any old way? Now it is not so. This is a sin contrary to the great duties of love, justice, and equity between one another; it springs often from malice and hatred, or envy, and such like evil causes, to be shunned as well as the effect. TITUS The redemption is also positive, "to purify unto Himself a peculiar people". aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, soun That the aged menIt is believed by some that aged men refers to Properly the word sober here means not God holds to it and maintains it, and so do those who bow to His word. His Christianity teaches him how to serve. "Not answering again; not purloining but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Here is the duty of young men. CHARACTERS: Christ, Paul, Titus. Reason demands it. Teachers of good things - That is instructing the younger - whether their own children, or whether they sustain the office of deaconness, and are appointed to give instruction to younger females; compare the notes at 1 Timothy 5:2-6. To take a simple example, he will often drive a motor car much faster simply because he has not yet discovered how easily an accident can take place or on how slender a piece of metal the safety of a car depends. THAT THE AGED MEN BE SOBER.As in 1 Timothy 3:2, the _HILDA BRIGHT AND HELEN POCOCK_ This is the instruction Demonstrate integrity in all of your actions and in all of your teaching. The life laid down here seems narrow and circumscribed, but it is to be read against its background. The power of Christ makes everything sweet and precious, and lends dignity to the very smallest thing that occupies the heart and mind. A poet may be frivolous indeed, but after all he lets out the real character; it may be in his own person, but at any rate he ordinarily expresses the feeling of the age and place in which he lives, if not the heart in its depths. It is excellent to hold fast Christ, and to know that we have eternal life in Him; but do you not see that when God was pleased to make this known, in the person of His Son, is just the time when the glad tidings are sent out by His grace to all men, breaking through every question of race, tongue, law, or any other distinction you please? Web2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. This word is archaic, but the meaning is relevant for us today. God would have a resemblance of Christ's authority over the church held forth in the husband's over the wife. Titus is to teach the older women just as he teaches the older men. There is nothing easier for him than to spend his time on side-issues; he might well have one prayer: "God, give me a sense of proportion." A virtue particularly needful for and becoming them. Salem Media Group. Our best wisdom is implicit subjection to God's word; whilst the man who, with the best of intentions, tries to correct according to his own mind and heart him that forms a party away from the Lord and His table, enters into temptation, and gets drawn into that evil or some other erratic course himself. He must be healthy in fortitude. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in In the present case it is not a question of furnishing Christians with a knowledge of their privileges, and a maintenance of them against all antagonists, as in Romans 8:1-39, but the calm yet serious writing of the apostle to a confidential fellow-servant, in which, as at an earlier day, so now in one of his latest communications, be still holds this blessed word, "God's elect." First of all the life that we have received in Christ shuts us up, as it were, to Him, and gives us the consciousness that we belong as Christians to an order of being which never can be impaired or corrupted of course, therefore, to that which has no connection whatever with the world, or with the creature that has slipped through sin into ruin. The behavior of various groups in the church 2:1-15. ", [For church support of these women see 1Tim. His ordaining others to preach would not excuse himself from preaching, nor might he take care of ministers and elders only, but he must instruct private Christians also in their duty. It is the same word from which we get "devil." How often we hear believers indulging in words of this sort as to such: "Ah yes; but still he is a dear brother, and we ought to go after him and try to win him back." get to know the Bible better! Ministers must not stay in generals, but must divide to every one his portion, what belongs to his age, or place, or condition of life; they must be particular as well as practical in their preaching; they must teach men their duty, and must teach all and each his duty. It is all remarkably simple, homely, and wholesome. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.. Disputes within lead to heresies without. The tide of life runs strongest in youth and it sometimes threatens to sweep a young person away. the presence of apostles would be an enormous anomaly. He refused to deliver it. Of course, there is no real ground to charge such with presumption; but faith, in its language and ways alike, looks so to those who do not possess it. You know, it's a beautiful thing and way, age does seem to mellow. [Note: J. J. See it explained in the notes, 1 Timothy 3:2, where it is rendered sober. Also Titus 1:8.Sound in faith - 1 Timothy 1:10 note; Titus 1:13 note.In charity - In love; Notes, 1 Corinthians 13. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of The word is sophron ( G4998) , and it describes the man with the mind which has everything under control. Do you know what that means? Now, some people have taken that wrong.I can remember years ago in my college days, that there was this one gal who always dressed so peculiar. Thus of the duties of the younger women. 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. Expositions of Holy Scripture, Second Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews. It is neither hidden nor limited. WebOPTION #1: This happened in hell. A few more sighs, and they will sigh no more; a little longer bearing up under their infirmities, and they will renew their youth before the throne of God. I said in fact she had done something, and her mother said, Oh he is very angry with you. - Grave - Serious; see the notes at 1 Timothy 3:8; compare the notes at Philippians 4:8, where the same word is rendered hottest.Temperate - sophronas. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Appropriately behaving as a woman of God? Many are also given to drinking, so that, forgetting modesty and gravity, they indulge in an unbecoming wantonness. Older women have an important role to play in the church. To this is added, that women never think that they are eloquent enough, if they are not given to prattling and to slander if they do not attack the characters of all. The New Testament In Modern English. When a ministration of death and condemnation was in question, a limit was good and wise; when eternal life, and remission of sins in Christ's name were the burden, God could not, would not, keep the good news pent up to one only class of the human family. They may not teach in a public capacity, for God forbids it. The apostle employs it in the epistle to the Romans, and there, too, with very marked emphasis, in closing his grand recapitulation of the Christian privileges the ordinary standing blessing of the saints of God in presence of all that could harm them. _TEXT 2:1, 2_ The Pulpit commentary notes the following for Titus 1:15. No doubt an unfaithful heart would take advantage of the fact that they had never been formally installed as elders. By being careful in his behaviour and speech, he can prevent his opponents from finding any cause to criticize either him or his teaching (6-8). Besides, the instructions which Titus was to give to such men was not that which especially pertained to elders as officers in the church, but to all old men. WebThat the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in their faith, and in their love, and in their patience ( Titus 2:2). [17]. WebTitus 2:2. (2.) Hence insatiable yearning is indulged after that which we have not. MacKnight, James. 2:3-5 In the same way you must charge the older women to be in demeanour such as befits those who are engaged in sacred things. They begged a crust at this door and that. Loving her husband, and loving her children, she lived with him unblamebly 30 years. And it is no easy task to keep souls from that which is the devil's substitute for the truth fables; and the law misused. Old (1) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: (2) If you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?Luke 16:12. would the infidels be ready to say. Christ is the object before Him; and our best blessing of grace through redemption is that we have Him as our very life. If there is any difference, there is always maintained in scripture the utmost care to assert the glory of the Lord Jesus. "A man that is a heretic after a first and second admonition shun; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Hence, therefore, the Holy Spirit, by the apostle, puts before Titus things and persons exactly as they were, and as He would have them be. But there is also a sense in which it is permanent. Hence, in contrast with the power of faith, which makes all things pure to the pure, the apostle speaks most solemnly of the character of those that believe not. Their demeanour must be such as befits those who are engaged in sacred things. e.g., in the following verse: Titus 2:1 (ESV) But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. The book of Jude, the central message is found in verse twenty-one when Jude said, "keep yourself in the love of God". CHAPTER 2 This involves pastoral oversight. It begins with the senior men. ; _the sound _for _sound, _A.V. Those whose home is their prison, it is to be feared, feel that their chastity is their fetters. 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. We are thus kept from the confusion of gifts with them, which is the parent of the clerical system Popish, national, or dissenting; and we can discern what remains and what exists no longer. THE MEANING AND VALUE OF SOBER-MINDEDNESS-THE USE AND ABUSE OF This is a simplified translation of the original Greek word. If I could be a means of sending or inclining the heart of a servant of the Lord to a place where he was calling another servant from it, it would be my duty to do it. Leader he must be, but dictator never. Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; he must not only not steal nor waste, but must improve his master's goods, and promote his prosperity and thriving, to his utmost. Slaves also can demonstrate the value of the Christian teaching by being obedient, cooperative and honest at all times, no matter how their masters treat them (9-10). J.W. The word is nephalios ( G3524) , and it literally means sober in contradistinction to given to over-indulgence in wine. There is always the danger of self-display, the temptation to demonstrate one's own cleverness and to seek to attract notice to oneself rather than to God's message. We do not often take notice of what is after all a very striking and evident fact, that, for very much the largest period of this world's history, no such thing was known as preaching. Much move are they open to it who despise His word, and ignore their own state. How Is God Not a Respecter of People? 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. This is the true and good minister. Be inspired in your walk with Jesus Christ V2 Teach the Vol. invest with that office in the church; also having laid open ADMONITIONS CONCERNING VARIOUS STATIONS. they are meet and fit and appropriate thereto. How Can the Bible Help Us Recover from Burnout? There are certain things which are suitable to go with sound doctrine; How great then is the spring that the believer possesses! He must be healthy in love. Not merely does the law generate habits of tradition of slavish adherence to human prescription in the things of God, which so soon are apt to rise up to the destruction of practical faith, but along with this goes what might not at first be suspected imaginativeness; Jewish fables, as he says. Need I say that He ought to be infinitely dear to us dearer than friends, life, or even the church itself? And alcoholism among women was very prevalent as they sought to escape the drudgery of life. this group. But we must remember that the corruption of the best thing is the worst; and if Christianity has unbound fetters, liberty may be used to shameful excesses. Influence requires it. Thus there is the other point what goes out, as well as shuts us up to Christ, giving the true principle of separation to God in the most blessed manner: for it has nothing to do with assuming or pretending to anything. A TITUS 2 SELF-EVALUATION: Am I reverent in my behavior? Unbelief always degrades even the precious word of God, turns it into a path of self, and in effect severs it from Christ. Servants must not think that their mean and low state puts them beneath God's notice or the obligations of his laws--that, because they are servants of men, they are thereby discharged from serving God. The word of God and the gospel of Christ are pure, excellent, and glorious, in themselves; and their excellency should be expressed and shown in the lives and conduct of their professors, especially in relative duties; failures here being disgrace. So Titus, don't just tell them. We are thus shut up, so to speak, in the circle of divine life; it may seem a narrower one, but, in truth, there is nothing that can rival it in point of large and deep affection not alone resting on those within, but actively going out; for along with the fact that we have Christ Himself as our actual and eternal life life in the Son our changeless portion, there is an increasing and world-wide manifestation through preaching. The duty results from the will of God, and relation in which, by his providence, he has put such; not from the quality of the person. This accordingly is to make nothing pure. the reality of sin and misery and sorrow all around. semnous; worthy of respect, serious For the example of an eminent servant of God is of great consequence; therefore he adds, "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." kalodidaskalous) by deed as well as word and encourage the younger women to fulfill their responsibilities (Titus 2:4 a). cf Barclay, p. 284. If God makes much of one, it is because circumstances particularly expose that one to be passed by. It is the glory of no secondary God. They are bidden remember the duty of prudence. God has given intentional instruction to his family through these letters. What does the apostle say of a man who is a heretic, even to such a confidential labourer as Titus? One of the saddest byproducts of the failure of a Christian is that it gives occasion to the enemies of God to find fault with Christianity and to blasphemy God.When David had committed his sin with Bathsheba, and Nathan was rebuking him for it he said, You have caused the enemies of the Lord to blasphemy, you give them a cause to blasphemy God. The apostle then gives his salutation, "To Titus, mine own child in the common faith: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour;" and next proceeds to instruct him as to the object for which he was writing. Popularity rankings are based on search volume data from the Google AdWords Keyword Planner tool. 2017 QuotesCosmos Home About Privacy Terms Principles Sitemap Contact. God would put honour on Christ and His cross in every way; so that, as the fruits of His infinite work, the richest blessing is lavished on the Christian now. Not presbyters, or elders, in an official We need to be more understanding and more compassionate and dealing with the shortcomings of others with a great deal of compassion, and understanding, and meekness. How immodest and shameful, corrupting and destroying purity both of body and mind! Clarkes Commentary. The occasion was exactly suitable for it. The best way to resist wrong teaching is to give positive instruction in Christian doctrine and its moral application.
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