Titus 2:6-8

Titus 2:6-8

⁶ Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;  ⁷  in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,  ⁸ sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

For the Young Men

Here Paul turns to the young men.  This is another important and major group in society and in the Church.  Some have thought that is was a bit strange that Paul didn't dedicate more instruction to the young men.  Couch, in his commentary, suggests that this is perhaps because the culture of the time would already have put men in a place where they should be listening to their elders and acting obediently.  However, we find that Paul gives precious pearls of wisdom to the young men here, and very likely also hit home with Titus and he was a young man himself.

Verse 6

Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 

Likewise

Here again we see the word likewise.  While gender and age do affect what is expected of us on a Biblical level, there is a very strong thread of consistency.  We see that the character requirements of Christian maturity are common to all of the groups.  It's not as if men are allowed to be bossy, mean or ignorant, while women must be chaste and wise.  Rather, Christ's life lived out in the lives of all believers has a similarity that cannot be denied. 

Urge

This word, in the Greek, is a compound word: parakaleo.  It combines the words para meaning along side or with, and kaleo meaning to call.  So this is not a futile urging, nor a distant commanding, but rather one that says “Walk along side me.”  It is a personal and demonstrated lifestyle.  It says that the younger men need to be “called alongside” towards living out our position in Christ in a very practical way.  This is language of discipleship which should be the norm of the church body life.

young men

Different commentators have different opinions about the exact range of this word.  Some have suggested that it only means those who are teenagers or late teenagers.  There are other commentators who go to the complete opposite end and suggest that “young man” can refer to anyone under the age of 50 or 60.  The definition that seems most appropriate, however, is that the young men are those who are still learning and growing, still pliable, and not yet hardened in their morality and their Christlikeness.  So this would suggest those who had not yet reached a maturity in Christ.

Sensible

Here again we see the word sensible.  This word sophroneo has been applied to each of the groups thus far.  It is obviously something that is very important, and very necessary in terms of exhibiting the life of Christ in us.  Once again, it combines the words for “wisdom” and “mindedness, or mindset.” So the very nature of the mindset should be one that is wise and balanced.  This comes from having a solid Biblical perspective, and is able to apply that knowledge to every situation.  It has a circumspect view that sees what is going on and is able to make wise choices based on the God's wisdom and submission to the Word and the Holy Spirit.

Verse 7

in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,

in all things

This word in Greek is panta and it literally means all, everything or all things.  This is also where we get our English prefix “pan” as found in the word “pandemic.”  In this case it is preceded by the word peri meaning “around, about or concerning” and would be best translated “in respect to all things.”  But the reality is that it is all inclusive.  The special temptation of young men is to make exceptions based on our circumstances.  Perhaps we feel that excessive drinking is appropriate if the person is just coming off of a difficult situation.  Or we feel like our anger is justified because our circumstances and it is then acceptable to take it out on the object of that anger.  However, Paul is putting forth a “no exceptions” lifestyle.  This is in all things and in all ways that we are to be living in this manner.

show yourself

Here we see that this verb “to show” is in the middle voice.  That should be interpreted here to show us that the subject (the young men) is very involved in the reflexive action.  So the young man is to be showing to the world what character the Lord is building into him.  This is a display and a witness for everyone in the young man's life that people will take notice.  Not only so they can see and believe, but also so that non-believers won't have anything bad to say about Christianity as a whole.  The Christian is, in a sense, always on display.  The world knows who belongs to the Lord and they are looking for the evidence of His character in each of us.

Example

The word tupos, ou tupos here is translated in the King James Version as “pattern.”  It is where we get our English word “type.”  There were no Xerox machines in Paul's time, however this was the word used of the impressions made by large stamps on metal and wood.  The large stamp would be put on the thing to be embossed and hit with a large hammer to make a deep impression.  The same picture (or type) would be made every single time, and every single stamp would be fully identical.  This is what Christ wants for each believer, like a stamp of Him in each believer’s day to day life.

good deeds

This is a good literal translation.  It is important to note that the young men are to be examples of good works, not in order that salvation may be achieved, but so for the reason of the outward witness.  There is no place in Scripture where we see works saving a person, or even see our salvation be added to, supplemented or completed by good works.  The reality is that good works are to flow from our inward relationship with Christ and will flow out of our lives as a natural consequence of our union with Him.  That said, it does not mean that we are off the hook in some way, we cannot sit around and wait for the good works to come. If they are not present in our lives we need to go to Christ and evaluate our relationship with Him, surrendering to Him anew and asking Him to produce fruit in our lives.  Notice that Paul gives this message instructing young men to abound in good works to Titus, who was mature and knew the gospel, knowing that works would never save, or sanctify.  He gave Titus this command with the knowledge that he would be able to convey the need clearly to the young men, that they would know the spiritual reality.

purity in doctrine

Our English idea of purity, is something that is dainty, or fragile.  The pure cloth is so easily made impure.  The concept in Greek is not just purity in doctrine, but rather a doctrinal incorruptibility.  This is the man of God who knows what the Bible says, believes it, and will not be swayed by the winds of bad teaching or the world.  So often we encourage people who are undiscriminating about their spiritual diet, however this is someone who doesn't succumb to a bunch of rubbish and spiritual junk food.  This is the man who is firm in his faith and is not easily swayed by the popular “Christian writers” of the world.  They are not easily pulled away from the truth but are seeking after a better understanding of what the Word is saying.  Here again we see that Doctrine is VERY IMPORTANT.

Dignified

Thayer's Lexicon defines the Greek word that this is translating as “the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity.”  There is a manner of gravity that is being talked about here.  This is a person who is not merely a goof-ball.  It does not mean that the young men should not have a sense of humor, it merely means that the young men should conduct themselves with a gravity that does not make light of serious things and cannot be taken seriously.  Much as Christ's presence was a joyful and wonderful experience he was also not one that would be taken lightly.

Verse 8

sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

sound in speech

Here we see the word sound again.  Here, as before, we find that it could be better defined as “healthy, whole, and sound.”  Furthermore, the word speech here is a word that denotes the message as a whole.  Not simply the act of speaking, or the individual words spoken.  This is to say that our speech needs to build up and not tear down.  The message of our speaking needs to be in keeping with sound doctrine and good words.  It should not be the kind of talk that tears down or debases, nor should it be the wishy-washy, all approving, wimpy talk that never stands up to anyone for fear of offending them.

beyond reproach

This is one big word in Greek.  The word is akatagnostos  (try to say that three times fast).  It is a compound word of three words: a which is a negative partical, kata which meant down on or against, and gnosko meaning knowledge or information.  So all together they mean “no-against-knowledge.”  That no one would have any knowledge or reasoning against us. 

put to shame

By our good actions and our good words and deeds the enemies of the faith will be put to shame.  In our sound teaching and our constant application of that doctrine the people who write books and make their living off of trying to destroy the Christian faith in the eyes of the public will be ashamed by our words and deeds.  Imagine how powerful the witness of love is in the sight of even the most gross and disgusting accusation.  This is the power of every believer who rests and abides in Christ Jesus our Lord.  As we walk in the Spirit the fruit of the Spirit will grow.  What kind of light would that be to the individuals around us? 

nothing bad to say about us

This does not mean that people will cease to say bad things about us.  That is not at all what is being communicated.  However, by our good words and actions they will be ashamed in the fact that their words are not in any way founded in truth.  It is a heavy burden to shoulder, as we do represent the faith to the world around us.  How difficult it is to represent the Holy God of the Universe to an unbelieving and perverse generation.  Fortunately, we need not do this alone!

  This is not simply our works and our deeds.  It's not as if Christ says to us “Alright, I got you saved NOW GET TO WORK!”  Rather, as we read in Romans 6, Ephesians 1-2, and countless other places in the Bible, this is to be Christ living out HIS life in US.  OUR life is in heaven with Him where we are eternally seated.  If we are faithful in submission and faithfully following his Word these works will be the natural outgrowth of that.  Surely we should examine ourselves, confessing our sin and living out our eternal position in our day to day lives.  But we need to realize that anything that we do on our own power or strength is wasted, for only the Lord can sanctify us as only the Lord can save us!