Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 14

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 4

Titus 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing 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. KJV

The Apostle Paul wants to relay the message to Brother Titus and to we true believers today and of every era and generation that the follower of Jesus Christ is not only responsible to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, which we are first and foremost, but we have a responsibility to all of our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' throughout the world to lead a life of blamelessness, that is, being free of guilt and not subject to blame for an accusation falsely made against any of us, for example, in my own personal life right now I am being accused of not buying an item and having it installed in a home that I rent. This is completely untrue and is something I refuse to allow the devil to get me disturbed, disquieted, or distressed over, but I am  prepared to remedy the situation by having it done again if push comes to shove, for our Lord Jesus Christ knows I am not lying about this matter and that is more important to me than a million false accusations by the devil's people.

So, Paul tells Titus and us first these words, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity," (Titus 2:7) (KJV). The English word 'shewing' is translated by the Greek word parechō meaning to hold near, that is, present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion. The English word 'pattern' is translated by the Greek word tupos meaning (as used here) (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler ('type'), that is, a model (for imitation). In other words, we are not to be in the world defrauding people, that is, depriving them of something by deceit or actually stealing from them for our own gain and benefit. Instead we should shew ourselves a model of integrity in the world as we sojourn down here. Paul is declaring to Titus then and to us now that our deeds and actions in this evil genertation (Luke 11:29) should be that of promoting valuable and virtuous actions to others at all times until or unless we are defending our selves in self defence, physically or spiritually. The doctrine or teaching that comes from any individual Christian or any local Church or any Denominational or Non- Denominational leadership should be totally uncorrupt or uncorrupted, that is, not having its purity or excellence debased, but instead continuing in the delivery and teaching of the Apostle's doctrine only (Acts 2:42), that is, the faith once and for all handed down to the saints (Jude 1:3) and never being or becoming one of those men or women who corrupt the Word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17).

Paul declares to Titus and to us that we should shew a pattern of 'gravity' and this English word is translated by the Greek word semnotēs meaning honesty. The English word 'sincerity' is translated by the Greek word aphtharsia meaning (as used here) (figuratively) genuineness: - sincerity. In other words, the believer is to be genuine and honest in his or her dealings with brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ and with the men and women who are outside of Christ. Here is what John Wesley had to say about this verse, "Showing thyself a pattern - Titus himself was then young. In the doctrine which thou teachest in public: as to matter, uncorruptness; as to the manner of delivering it, seriousness - Weightiness, solemnity." Paul continues on to direct and instruct Titus and us today with these words, "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." (Titus 2:8) (KJV).

When Paul writes here at the beginning of this verse, 'sound speech that cannot be condemned', he means wholesome words, just as he wrote to Brother Timothy here, "If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ), and to the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing. He is sick concerning doubts and arguments, from which comes envy, strife, evil speakings, evil suspicions, meddling, of men whose minds have been corrupted and deprived of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. Withdraw from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. But having food and clothing, we will be content. But they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which plunge men into destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:3-10) (MKJV). These are the words that cannot ever be condemned.

When Paul writes here, 'that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed', he means the person or persons that are on the opposite side of the truth of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God. The little English phrase 'the contrary part' is translated by the Greek word enantios meaning opposite; figuratively antagonistic: - (over) against, contrary. The little English phrase 'may be ashamed' is translated by the Greek word entrepō meaning (as used here) to invert, that is, (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect. When Paul writes, 'having no evil thing to say of you', he means that if the person has actually done the right thing (in a matter like the one I spoke of above concerning myself) then the person or persons diffusing, dispersing, or disseminating the lie will be stopped cold with the hard facts of the truth of the matter. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this verse, "He was to use language that would be spiritually 'healthful'; that is, true, pure, uncorrupted. - This word, and its correlatives, is used in this sense, in the New Testament, only by the Apostle Paul. It is commonly applied to the body, meaning that which is healthful, or whole. It does not elsewhere occur. Such as cannot be shown to be weak, or unsound; such that no one could find fault with it, or such as an adversary could not take hold of and blame. This direction would imply purity and seriousness of language, solidity of argument, and truth in the doctrines which he maintained. That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed - Ashamed that he has opposed such views."

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…