The Book of Titus reminds us of the importance of living with faith, integrity, and a sense of responsibility within our Christian community and where we live, work, go to school, and play. D.L. Moody declared, “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” Therefore, it ought not surprise us that Titus has much to say about our conduct. All the emphasis on sound doctrine and the proper ordering of life in the church has little, if any, significance unless it produces changed lives that demonstrate a high quality of life and love.
Paul proceeds in Titus 2:1-10 to address four groups of people besides Titus. William Barclay entitles this section “The Christian Character in Action.” Contrary to false teachers, whom Paul describes as “professing to know God, but they deny him by their works” (Titus 1:16a), Paul provides these words to assist us in godly living.
In Titus 2:1, we read, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” What needs to be taught is to be in “accords with sound doctrine.” This sets the foundation for the rest of this passage’s teaching. Truth is the best antidote to error.
Paul then proceeds to provide guidance on Christian living and conduct. He emphasizes the importance of teaching and living by example. In other words, believers are to teach and embody sound biblical principles in both belief and behavior. When maturing is part of aging, our perspective and values grow into sobriety, a clearheaded way of viewing everything around us, which is helpful to others. In a practical sense, maturing narrows the gap between our best judgment and actual behavior. As we grow older in Christ and in life, we ought to grow more mature and able to share this knowledge with others.
As to Paul’s words concerning women, I don’t think the principles of the importance of being a good wife and mother ever change. But the application, of necessity, must change from time to time and place to place. For instance, Paul speaks of women working at home. The only employment available to the vast majority of young women in first-century Crete was prostitution on the streets or in a pagan temple. Moving west from Crete, through Athens to Rome, we do meet a few businesswomen, but they are exceptions to the rule and typically older women with grown children. Young women had no real options other than marriage or motherhood.
I am not, in any way, minimizing women’s important role in marriages, childrearing, and the sort. But I am drawing our attention to the importance of noting the historical context of what was happening in the early churches, such as the one in Crete. No way is this passage to mean that, for instance, women are forbidden to have a career. Simply, women needed to be careful not to abuse their liberty in Christ and, therefore, not to bring scandal to the word of God.
We understand, as believers, that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). The challenge for the church has always been how to promote this truth in the cultures where they live. At times, change and growth have seemed small, but over and over again, genuine Christian teaching has led to the liberation of people to stand on equal footing before our Lord.
Cultural implications must be considered when examining Paul’s words addressed to bondservants. First, it’s important to note that a “bondservant” is a historical term used to describe a person bound to serve another person, typically as a form of indentured servitude or a slave. More than one-third of the population of the cities of the time were slaves, and certainly more if you count those who had been set free (freedmen). The conduct listed for this group is mentioned: “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”
The practice of bond servitude had to be a challenging issue for early Christians. The complexities were enormous, whether viewed from the standpoint of a bondservant or an owner who had come to Christ. There just weren’t any easy answers, but to allow the Spirit to lead all to genuine freedom in Christ and among each other. Paul is teaching that bondservants are to carry out their duties, thinking of their role as Christians rather than as slaves.
There’s an overall thought with all that’s been addressed in this passage that there is a sense in which our behavior can make the gospel attractive. I would encourage all of us to take some time to look through what Paul has written to Titus about Christian conduct and consider how these principles apply to each of our lives. We ought to be challenged to live out these teachings.
Let me summarize Paul’s teaching in Titus 2:1-10 in a single directive. Believers are to live in a manner that aligns with sound biblical principles, demonstrating self-control, respect, and positive examples to foster spiritual growth, a strong Christian community, and witness to those yet to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. John Wesley taught, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” I believe Paul and Titus would say, Amen! How about you? Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!