Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Titus 2:1 - 2:5

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Titus 2:1 - 2:5


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Admonitions concerning Various Stations. Tit_2:1-10

The manner of dealing with older members:

v. 1. but speak thou the things which become sound doctrine,

v. 2. that the aged men be sober, grave. temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

v. 3. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things,

v. 4. that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

v. 5. to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed.

By the emphasis upon the address at this point the apostle places himself and especially his coworker Titus in the strongest possible contrast to the false teachers, showing that there is a great difference, both in doctrine and in pastoral work, between the two classes: Thou, however, speak what becomes the wholesome doctrine. All the doctrine, all the exhortations which Titus spoke in the administration of his office, were to be agreeable to sound and wholesome doctrine, such as he had learned from the apostle. The ideal which he was to impress upon his hearers was to be that of a practical Christianity, based upon sound doctrine, the golden mean between dead orthodoxy and a perfection of works. He should try to plant the seeds of such virtues, of such fruits of true faith, as conformed with the pure doctrine of the Word of God.

So far as the instruction of the older members of the congregations was concerned, the apostle writes: (Admonish) the older men to be sane minded, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Of such men as mere advanced in years the apostle is speaking, not of the presbyters, to whom he has referred before. He wants them to be sober, to have their mind and intellect clear and sane, without the rashness and levity of youth, without the tendency to be carried away by carnal desires and hysterical excitement. To this must be added proper seriousness or dignity, without a trace of silly frivolousness. They should furthermore be sensible, use their sound common sense in all situations in which they might find themselves: they must show firmness of character, such as makes them reliable and trustworthy at all times. So far as their Christianity was concerned, they should be sound and wholesome in faith, placing their trust not upon their feelings, at best a most uncertain foundation, but upon the eternal and unchangeable Word of God; in love, by letting all their good works flow from their faith with the one object to be of service, not to strive for recognition before men: in patience, in cheerful willingness to be faithful also in the midst of persecutions and afflictions. These are the virtues which the Lord expects older Christians to show at all times.

But the apostle has a word for older women also: The older women as well (admonish) in behavior to be reverent, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, teachers of what is good. The apostle refers first of all to the deportment and demeanor, to the entire appearance of the older women. No matter in what station and calling such older women might find themselves, they should never offend against Christian decency and against the reverence and decorum which becomes Christians at all times. As at present, so in those days the influence of the lack of morals presented the temptation, especially to older women, to conform to the world in the matter of dress and behavior. A Christian woman, however, must never forget to whom she belongs, lest in demeanor. language, and dress she bring disgrace upon the name of Christ. To this belongs also that the older women do not offend against the Eighth Commandment, a vice to which so many of them are addicted. Whether time actually hangs heavy on their hands or not, it seems that the temptation to be slanderers and busybodies is too strong for them to overcome. It is necessary, therefore, that they battle against this sin with all earnestness. They should avoid also the danger of becoming slaves of intemperance, a vice which is peculiarly disgusting in the case of aged women, and which has its victims even today, with all the lairs insisting upon total abstinence. Instead of seeking gratification of their sinful desires in this manner, the older women should rather use the time and means at their disposal to be teachers of good in their families and in their immediate vicinity. From the rich treasure of their Christian knowledge and experience they should freely impart and dispense whenever they have an opportunity. In this connection their example, as a matter of course, will be of great value, their every act being a part of that impressive instruction which was so significant in the life of Jesus.

The apostle discusses this thought more fully: That they earnestly counsel the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be blasphemed. Although the pastoral work of Titus is by no means circumscribed by these admonitions, the apostle has chiefly this point in mind, that older women, for lack of suitable occupation, do not become addicted to the vices mentioned above. By means of proper counsel and loving admonition many a young wife has been kept back from some foolish step. St. Paul wants the younger women to be reminded of their duty of loving their husbands, just as he had addressed himself to the husbands, Eph_5:25-33. In the midst of the work and the trouble of this life, which includes also the daily bearing of each other's faults and weaknesses, there is always danger that the love of either spouse may grow cold. But marital love is not a matter of inclination and caprice, since it is commanded by God. The same is true of love for the children. Where the Word of God does not rule, there is always danger that the love of the mother may be changed to the opposite, especially in our days, when children arc unwelcome in many homes. It is necessary, therefore, that the young wives also grow in Christian character, the better to battle against all sinful lusts and desires and to rule body and soul in the proper manner, with the proper measure of decent common sense. One part of this Christian strength of character is shown in the chastity which is one of the ornaments of a Christian woman. In the midst of the multitude of temptations and occasions for the sin of uncleanness, purity, not only in words and deeds, but also in thoughts and desires, is desirable and commanded. A virtue which the apostle also names is this, that Christian wives be truly domestic, good home-makers. This does not merely mean that a woman ought to be a good housekeeper, but that she strive by all means to change the house, as an abode for the existence of the family, into a home, where she herself and her husband and children feel at home. It is true, of course, that in our days these views are looked upon with pity by an increasing multitude of emancipated women, who demand recognition in the forum, in the business world, even in the Church, while the position of a faithful home-maker and mother is regarded with pitying contempt. Let us remember, however, that the apostle is not stating his own views and opinions, but has registered the will of the eternal God. To this mill belongs also this, that a Christian woman be obedient to her husband, Eph_5:22; 1Pe_3:1-6. Women that have a Christian husband know that this acknowledging of the headship of the man does not interfere with their own dignity, but elevates them all the more in the eyes of God and of their own husbands. And all these qualifications the apostle insists upon, in order that no disgrace and contempt may strike the Word of God. The enemies of the Gospel will take occasion, and rightly so, to despise and deride the Christian religion and the Christian Bible, if there are scandals in Christian families and quarrels between husband and wife that are known to be members of a congregation. The deeds of Christians must always supplement their words.