Titus 2:7-10
Titus 2:7
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine
showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,"
"In all things": (peri panta), "concerning all things; in
every way; by all means"
"showing thyself": the verb is (parecw), "to exhibit; to
present; to hold out something".
In this case, Titus is to exhibit himself as a model or example of good
works.
"a pattern": (tupos), "a model; a standard; an example; a
pattern"
Other scriptures where (tupos) is used:
Rom. 5:14 "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over
them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who
is the figure (tupos) of him that was to come."
Rom. 6:17 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but
ye have obeyed from the heart that form (tupos) of doctrine which was delivered
you."
1 Cor. 10:6 "Now these things were our examples (tupos), to the intent
we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted."
READ Phil 3:17-21
READ 1 Thess. 1:1-10; The testimony of the Thessalonian believers!
1 Tim. 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example (tupos)
of the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith,
in purity."
1 Pet. 5:1-3; The example of elders.
"of good works":
Eph. 2:10; We are "created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good
works."
2 Thess. 3:1-15; This is the Apostle Paul's personal testimony as to how
he was an example to other believers in good works.
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"in doctrine": (didaskalia), "teaching; learning; doctrine".
Therefore, principles of the Word of God. The Word of God is "profitable
for doctrine ..."
"showing uncorruptness": (afthoria), "purity; incorruption".
Related to: (afthartos), "uncorrupted, incorruptible" and (aftharsia),
"incorruption, immortality"
Titus' teaching was to be from a background of uncorrupted learning, which
is only possible when it is the Word of God being taught.
1 Pet. 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which lives and abides forever."
Rom. 1:23 "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and
creeping things."
1 Cor. 9:25 "Men striving for the mastery but receiving a corruptible
crown."
1 Cor. 15:42, 50-54; There is no mixing of corruption with incorruption
(aftharsia).
2 Tim. 1:10 "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality
(aftharsia) to light through the gospel:"
"gravity": (semnoteis), "dignity, seriousness".
1 Tim. 2:2 "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may
lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (semnoteis)."
1 Tim. 3:4
See discussion of "grave" (semnos) in Lesson 6, Titus 2:2
"sincerity"
This word did not show up in my version of the Greek New Testament. So we
are led to wonder why it was included in the English of the KJV. If any
reader will send me a well studied explanation of this, I will publish it
to all of the Titus subscribers, and include it in future versions of this
lesson.
Titus 2:8
"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"
"Sound speech": (logos hagios), "uncorrupted speech".
To be able to have "sound speech", you have to start with "sound
doctrine".
"that cannot be condemned": from (akatagnwstos), "not able
to be condemned; irreprehensible".
This is the only occasion for the use of this word in the negative, but
there are several references which use the positive "reprehensible"
(katagnwstos):
Gal. 2:11 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the
face, because he was to be blamed (katagnwstos)."
1 John 3:19-21 "And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall
assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us (katagnwstos),
God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart
condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."
"that he that is of the contrary part": (ho ex enantias), "he
who is opposed; an adverse party; a hostile individual"
Interesting scriptures where the same Greek word is used [words in brackets]:
Matt. 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves:
for the wind was [contrary].
See also Acts 27:4, when Paul was aboard ship in a storm.
Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, which stood [over against] him, saw that
he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the
Son of God.
"Contrary" in the physical sense.
Acts 28:17 "And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called
the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said
unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing [against] the
people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem
into the hands of the Romans."
1 Thess. 2:14,15
"may be ashamed": the verb (entrepw) in the aorist subjunctive
passive, "to turn a person back on himself; to be put to shame; to
be embarrassed."
1 Cor. 4:14 "I write not these things to shame you (entrepw), but as
my beloved sons I warn you."
2 Thess 3:14 "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note
that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed (entrepw)."
A "contrary" person may say evil things of you, but if they are
not true, he is the only one who can be embarrassed.
This does not mean that a contrary person will not badmouth you. It means
that the maligning will not be true, there will be no substance to his stories.
To state the application in a different way, "Don't allow lapses in
your personal behavior or in your teaching provide ammunition to your detractors."
1 Peter 2:11-16
Note that three methods have become apparent by which the doctrinally disorderly
person can be reached:
1. By the teaching of sound doctrine which zeros in on the problem with
divine viewpoint.
2. By the consistent testimony of Christian believers.
3. By the separation of believers from him or from his activities. having
no evil thing to say of you
Titus 2:9
"Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please
them well in all things; not answering again;"
Topic: SERVANTS AND SLAVES IN PALESTINE
"Exhort" - no corresponding Greek word in this verse. The word
"exhort" is italicized in the KJV, indicating that it has been
added by the translators, probably because they wanted to indicate the continuation
of the idea of exhortation begun in verse 6.
"servants": (doulos), "slave; servant".
The word can be used to refer to servants (employees) or slaves.
Christian slaves often worked for unbelievers in the Roman Empire; probably
even on Crete. While slavery was a great evil; Paul did not become sidetracked
by condemning the practice of slavery. Paul declares the greater issues
of doctrine, of how God's plan provides for believers who are categorized
as slaves or laborers.
This goes along well with Paul's statement "for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil. 4:11)
Even under conditions of slavery believers can have inner happiness and
other blessings compatible with their lives during the early church times.
Whether slave or free, every believer functions under all of the techniques
of the Christian Way of Life.
"to be obedient in all things": (hupotassw), "to be subject
to; to obey".
This word comes from a background of military usage and refers to accepting
orders under conditions of discipline and strict organization.
This is a command for all Christians. Every believer is in full time Christian
service. Regardless of what vocation a person follows, he or she is working
under orders from above. The concept of doing one's job "as unto the
Lord" is derived from this concept.
This means that orders are accepted and obeyed without regard for the personality
or character of the one giving the orders. If the Christian doesn't like
what he's being told, he keeps a poker face and says "Yes, sir!".
There is no excuse for a Christian of offer less that 110% of his effort
to the people who he works for. Jobs are provided by the Grace of God; the
U.S.A. with its capitalistic system is a product of grace.
Prov 25:13 "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful
messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters."
Prov 27:18 "Whoso keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so
he that waits on his master shall be honored."
Matt 24:44,45 "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye
think not the Son of Man comes. Who then is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due
season."
Eph 6:5,6 "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according
to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart;"
1 Tim 6:1,2 "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their
own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be
not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise
them ..."
Topic: CHRISTIAN IN THE WORKPLACE
Topic: SERVANTS OF GOD
unto their own masters: (despoteis) - "an owner or master of slaves;
a despot".
A despot was an actual slave owner in ancient times; in modern times, a
despot is a ruler whose subjects are in virtual slavery under his government.
Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with
one accord, and said, LORD, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and
the sea, and all that in them is:
2 Tim 2:20, 21 "But in a great house there are not only vessels of
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and
some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall
be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the MASTER' s use, prepared
unto every good work."
See also 1 Pet 2:18-24
"to please them well": Actually, this is the adjective form, (euarestos),
rather than a verb. Therefore, "to be well-pleasing; to be acceptable".
Other uses of (euarestos):
Rom 12:1-3
Rom 14:16-18
2 Cor 5:6-9
Eph. 5:6-10
Phil 4:16-19
Col. 3:20
Heb. 11:5,6
Heb. 13:15-21
"not answering again": (antilegw) - "contradicting; gainsaying"
See Titus 1:9 for discussion of (antilego) under the concept of "gainsayers",
those who oppose the Word of God.
Here, the servant is exhorted not to be the type of subordinate who is constantly
talking back to his master, constantly contradicting in an insubordinate
manner.
Titus 2:10
"Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn
the doctrine of God our Savior in all things."
"Not purloining": (nosphidzw), "to put away; to remove; to
abstract; to steal; to appropriate for oneself".
This word comes from a form meaning "furtively; secretly". This
is yet another Greek word which appears only once in the N.T.
The following notes are from Moulton & Milligan, "The Vocabulary
of the Greek New Testament":
* In the Flinders Petrie Papyri (3rd Cent. AD) - an official swears an oath,
"I will not peculate (steal) (nosphidsw), and I will report anyone
who does peculate."
* In the catalog of the Greek Papyri in the John Rylands Library in Manchester,
England, someone writes of a woman, "oppressed by the consciousness
of what she had appropriated for herself (nosphidsw) both of the furniture
and stored articles.
Dishonesty was a way of life for the Cretans, just as it is for many people
today. Whenever discipline or personal integrity is even slightly relaxed,
honesty and productivity slip a lot. Most employees are in a position to
steal something: pencils, computer time, petty cash, working time.
The honest Christian laborer stands out in a society like this. Honesty
and good character are two of the most important aspects of the Christian's
testimony. In any witnessing situation, these traits are necessary before
any verbal testimony can be successful. Lev 19:35,36; Deut 25:13-16
Prov 11:1 "A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight
is his delight."
See also Prov. 16:11; 20:10; Micah 6:9-14.
Rom 12:17 "Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in
the sight of all men."
2 Cor 8:20-24
Eph 4:28 "Let him that stole, steal no more; rather let him labor,
working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give
to him that needeth."
1 Thess 4:11,12 "That ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly
toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
"but showing": (endeiknumai), "to display; to manifest; to
give outward proof; to display openly toward another."
This is a Christian testimony word, a command to present a witness to the
world; the principle of "salt and light".
Rom. 2:14,15
Rom. 3:21-26
2 Cor. 8:24
Eph. 2:7 "That in the ages to come he might show (endeiknumai) the
exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
The Lord intends for us to be a testimony to His grace, both now in in eternity.
2 Thess. 1:5
2 Tim. 4:14
Heb. 6:10,11
"all good fidelity": (pistis), "faith"
Gen. 39:1-6
2 Kings 12:1-15
Neh. 13:10-13
Dan. 6:4
1 Cor. 4:1,2
"that they may adorn": (kosmew), "to arrange; to set in order;
to decorate; to embellish; to prepare; to trim; to put in readiness; to
honor; to dignify"
Matt. 23:29 "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because
you build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish (kosmew) the sepulchers of the righteous..."
Matt 25:7 "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed (kosmew) their
lamps."
Luke 21:5 "And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned (kosmew)
with goodly stones and gifts,"
1 Tim 2:9 "...women adorn (kosmew) themselves in modest apparel..."
The adorning of the heart is to be given priority.
Rev. 21:2,19 "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down
from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And
the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished (kosmew) with all
manner of precious stones."
One of the main goals of God's plan is that every Christian "adorn"
or "decorate" the doctrine of the Lord.
"the doctrine": didaskalia, "the teaching; the doctrine".
"of God our Savior in all things"
Summarizing the passage:
Titus 2:7, "In every way presenting yourself as a model (pattern, standard)
of good works, in doctrine uncorruptness, dignity.
Titus 2:8, "Uncorrupted speech that cannot be condemned, that he who
is opposed may be put to shame, having no evil thing to say of you.
Titus 2:9, "[Exhort] servants to be subject unto their own masters
in all things, to please them well, not contradicting."
Titus 2:10, "Not stealing, but manifesting all good loyalty, that they
may honor the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
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