Titus 1:8,9
Titus 1:8
"But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy,
temperate."
"but": a conjunction of contrast: there is a change here, from
dealing with negative characteristics to be avoided, to the positive aspects
that are characteristics of the edified believer, and that must be found
in church leadership.
"a lover of hospitality": (philozenos), literally, "having
a love for strangers"
This word carries the connotation of hospitality, of doing something for
someone who does not earn or deserve the good treatment, because there has
been no previous acquaintance. This word reflects a Grace attitude toward
people who have not yet earned your consideration.
This is a word of impersonal love - the type of attitude that is free of
arrogance, envy, hatred, or even disdain for other people, even if there
is sharp disagreement about doctrine or practice. This is the type of love
that permits a Christian to love even his enemies or people that he doesn't
like.
This is the type of love that is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It does not
come from emotion, although it may cause emotion. This is the "professional"
love of the mature Christian believer, analogous to the Love of God, the
quality of which does not depend on the behavior or character of the one
being loved, but on the character of the one who loves.
"a lover of good men": (philagogos), "one who loves good".
The idea of "good men" probably derives from the fact that sometimes
adjectives are used by themselves to indicate a class of people. We say
"the rich" when we mean "the rich people", or "the
infirm" when we mean "the infirm people". Here, the adjective
is "good", which could mean "good people", hence, "one
who loves good people".
But the meaning could well be limited to only the adjective itself, without
regard to a class of people. In that case, the meaning would change quite
a bit. "Good" then would refer to that which has intrinsic good,
good in itself, and in this context it would refer to "divine good",
and the translation would be "one who loves good".
I've read various discussion on this, and I choose the latter meaning, probably
because the idea of love towards mankind (strangers) is already paramount
in the previous word.
"sober": (swphrwn), "prudent, thoughtful, discrete, self-controlled".
(To Greek-sters: the "w" in the transliteration is "omega".)
When used of women in Titus 2:5, (swphrwn) is translated "discrete"
or "modest".
This is a mental attitude of care for one's reputation, one's character,
a consideration of appearances. The verb form, (swphrwneo), means "to
be of a sound mind", so there is the connotation of mental stability.
READ Rom. 12:1-3 The transformation leading to mental stability.
"just": (dikaios), "righteous; fair; equitable"
The pastor must be fair, even-handed in all his actions. He must exhibit
the righteousness of God in the human life. He knows that the source of
righteousness is the Lord and is imputed without merit. Therefore he is
relaxed, not judgmental.
Topic: Judgment, Justice, Judging
"holy": (hosios), "kind, gracious, holy".
This is NOT (hagios), "set apart, or sanctified", which is a result
of our union with Christ.
This word for holiness has to do with an experiential inner result of the
work of the Lord in the life.
The candidate for Christian leadership must have an observable holiness.
He must be known for the fruit of the Spirit, just as the original seven
deacons were chosen for their obvious spiritual qualities and fruits.
These qualities are difficult to fake. Many people can put on a facade of
"holiness" or morality; but Titus is a discerning Christian, and
he has the responsibility to judge men in these matters.
He could tell whether a man loved the Word of God and was occupied with
Christ (viewing everything in life with Jesus Christ in mind). He could
observe a man who was going through some testing (minor or major) and determine
whether he knew how to trust God in situations and maintain peace and joy
in the midst of trials. He knew what to look for, and could size someone
up very quickly.
"temperate": (egkrateis), "self-restrained"; a master
of the details of life.
You either have control over the details of life, or they control you.
[ I have the topic "Mastery of the Details of Life" under construction.
I'll let you know when it's ready. wd ]
Examples: Jer. 35:6; Dan. 1:8
Titus 1:9
"Holding fast the faith word, as he has been taught, that he might
be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."
In this verse there are some operational standards for the man appointed
to the office of pastor (elder, bishop), the new recruit that Titus will
ordain. This verse shows how rebellious and unruly Christians are to be
handled.
Note that it is not Titus's job to come into town with a big stick to personally
chastise the lying, rioting, deceiving, subversive believers. In fact, he's
not going to do the job at all, because he will not stay on the island long
enough.
The new recruit is to be the teacher. Month after month, year after year,
the man who has emerged as a community spiritual leader will patiently instruct,
encourage, exhort, convince -- by using the Word of God either to convince
those with positive volition or to close the mouths of the implacable. The
principle is that Bible teaching is the instrument of bringing change into
people's lives. The opposition will either capitulate to doctrine, or they
will be forced to leave.
"holding fast": (antecomai), "to cling to something; to hold
fast to; to be devoted to"
That which is "held fast" is sound doctrine. The verb is in the
Greek middle voice, which is reflexive, that is, the subject acts upon itself.
Thus, the believer is holding something fast for himself.
Heb. 4:14 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast (antecomai) our
profession."
Heb. 10:23 "Let us hold fast (antecomai) the profession of our faith
without wavering."
"the faithful word": (pistos logos), "the trustworthy word;
the dependable word", that which inspires trust, The Word of God.
"as he hath been taught": (kata tein didachei), "according
to the instruction; teaching; doctrine".
Topic: Teaching in a Local Church
"that he might be able": (eimi + dunatos), "might be capable".
Strength after the flesh, that is, human strength, is not enough. The teacher's
ability is the result of clinging to doctrine.
1 Cor. 1:26 "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise
men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:"
"by sound doctrine": (didaskalia + hugiainw), "by means of
uncorrupted doctrine" .
(hugiainw) "uncorrupted" is repeated in 1:13; 2:1; 2:2; with (hugiain)
in 2:8. It is used in the physical sense for good health; in the Gospels
and in 3 John v.2.
The doctrine the new pastor is to teach is uncorrupted, sharply contrasted
with other comments in this chapter about false teaching, myths, commandments
of men.
"both to exhort": (parakalew), "to exhort, to push, to stimulate".
The Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete, and the Greek verb here has several
meanings in the Bible, including "to exhort" and "to comfort".
Exhortation requires authority; Titus 2:15 "These things speak,
and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."
Exhortation requires great patience. 2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with
all longsuffering and doctrine."
Exhortation requires persistence. Heb. 3:12,13 "Take heed, brethren,
lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from
the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today;
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
Exhortation takes place in the local church environment. Heb. 10:23-25
"and to convince": (elegkw), "to bring to light; to expose;
to demonstrate; to convince; to reprove; to rebuke. Translated "rebuke"
in 1:13 and 2:15; but even rebuking is by means of convincing argument from
the Scripture.
"the gainsayers": (antilegw), literally, "those who speak
against; those who contradict"; therefore, "those who are in opposition".
Note the use in 2:9, servants are not to contradict or speak against their
masters.
READ Luke 2:34; 20:27
READ Romans 10:21 !!
Summarizing the passage:
Titus 1:8 "But hospitable, one who loves good, of sound mind, equitable,
gracious, self-restrained,"
Titus 1:9 "Clinging to the dependable word according to the instruction,
that he might be capable to exhort and to reprove, by means of uncorrupted
doctrine, those who are in opposition."
End of Titus Lesson 3
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