Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 11

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 1

Titus 2:1-2 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. KJV

After completing his warnings to Brother Titus, the Apostle Paul now turns his attention to instructing him on what needs to be present in the Churches @ Crete to make them sound and faithful Churches to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus (just like Timothy) was perhaps a young man and even a younger follower of Jesus Christ, that is, having been a true believer for only a short number of years. Therefore, with this in mind, Paul wanted to give to Titus the same instruction he gave to Brother Timothy (1 Timothy 3) on how the believers should conduct themselves to please Christ Jesus our Lord. First, Paul wants Titus himself to speak only the Word of God and not as he stated earlier in this letter things that were fables or myths, for the Word of God is the final authority on all matters concerning human life hear on this little speck of dust the earth floating around in God's vast Universes He spoke into existence, so he declares these words first to Titus, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:" (Titus 2:1) (KJV). The English word 'sound' is translated by the Greek word hugiainō meaning (as used here) figuratively to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine): The English word 'doctrine' is translated by the Greek word didaskalia meaning (as used here) instruction (the function or the information): In other words, Paul knew that no Church would be spiritually healthy if they were not taught the Word of God unfiltered, uncompromised, and unchanged. The idea that a Church could go off into spiritual tangents and expect to stay true to Christ and be uncorrupt was nonsense to the Apostle Paul, so he wanted Timothy and now Titus to understand this immensely. As we stated above, the Word of God only is the final authority on all things and not some spiritual guru or some other spiritual paths, no matter how loving or believable they might sound. Here is what Matthew Henry said about this verse, "Generally, to a faithful discharge of his own office. 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. The adversative particle (but) here points back to the corrupt teachers, who vented fables, things vain and unprofitable: in opposition to them, says he, 'But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine, what is agreeable to the Word, which is pure and uncorrupt, healthful and nourishing to eternal life.'

Next, Paul now begins to get specific in what the families of various believers should be doing in order to help the Church become a spiritually sound place of worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ, first he declares this to Brother Titus, "That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience." (Titus 2:2) (KJV). The older men in the Churches should first be 'sober' and this English word is translated by the Greek word  nēphaleos which means (as used here) (figuratively) circumspect, that is, heedful of potential consequences that could be bad, discreet. In other words, the aged Christian men, that is, those who have been followers of our Lord Jesus Christ for many decades should serve to warn the younger men and the boys of potential snares or traps that the devil could be trying to lure them into to cause them hurt or harm. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about the aged men being sober, "By aged men some understand elders by office, including deacons, etc. But it is rather to be taken of the aged in point of years. Old disciples of Christ must conduct themselves in every thing agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober, not thinking that the decays of nature, which they feel in old age, will justify them in any inordinacy or intemperance, whereby they conceit to repair them; they must keep measure in things, both for health and for fitness, for counsel and example to the younger." The English word 'grave' is translated by the Greek word semnos which means venerable, that is, honorable: In other words, they should be men who behave in reverent appropriate behavior serving again as an example to the young men and boys in the Church. Here again is what Matthew Henry had to say about the aged men being grave, "Levity is unbecoming in any, but especially in the aged; they should be composed and stayed, grave in habit, speech, and behaviour; gaudiness in dress, levity and vanity in the behaviour, how unbeseeming in their years!" The English word 'temperate' is translated by the Greek word sōphrōn meaning safe (sound) in mind, that is, self controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): In other words, they should be restrained and discreet in their behavior. Here again is what Matthew Henry had to say about the aged men being temperate, "Moderate and prudent, one who governs well his passions and affections, so as not to be hurried away by them to any thing that is evil or indecent."

When Paul writes, they should be sound in faith, he means that the aged men in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ should not be wavering in what they believe and should be able to say with the Apostle Paul these words and mean them, "For this cause I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard My deposit unto that Day." (2 Timothy 1:12) (MKJV). They should not be in doubt about their salvation. They should answer in the affirmative every time they are asked about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and whether they are going to heaven. Here again is what Matthew Henry had to say about the aged men being sound in faith, "Sincere and stedfast, constantly adhering to the truth of the Gospel, not fond of novelties, nor ready to run into corrupt opinions or parties, nor to be taken with Jewish fables or traditions, or the dotages of their rabbin. Those who are full of years should be full of grace and goodness, the inner man renewing more and more as the outer decays." The English word 'charity' is translated by the Greek word agapē meaning love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: In other words, the aged men who have been walking with our Lord Jesus Christ for many decades should be the most loving people in the Church, not talking about others behind their backs or plotting against others to hurt or harm in any way, not sleeping with other men's wives or any other thing of this sort, etc.,  but they should be the closest representation of Christ as a man on the earth. Here again is what Matthew Henry said about the aged men showing love, "In charity, or love; this is fitly joined with faith, which works by, and must be seen in, love, love to God and men, and soundness therein. It must be sincere love, without dissimulation (the act of deceiving): love of God for himself, and of men for God's sake. The duties of the second table must be done in virtue of those of the first; love to men as men, and to the saints as the excellent of the earth, in whom must be special delight; and love at all times, in adversity as well as prosperity. Thus must there be soundness in charity or love." The English word 'patience' is translated by the Greek word hupomonē meaning cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting). Here again is what Matthew Henry had to say about the aged men being patient, "And in patience. Aged persons are apt to be peevish, fretful, and passionate; and therefore need to be on their guard against such infirmities and temptations. Faith, love, and patience, are three main Christian graces, and soundness in these is much of gospel perfection. There is enduring patience and waiting patience, both of which must be looked after; to bear evils becomingly, and contentedly to want the good till we are fit for it and it for us, being followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Thus as to the aged men."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…