Introduction
In contrast to the false teachers who “profess to know God, but deny him by their works” and “are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work,” Paul now urges Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Remember that “sound” literally means “healthy” so Titus is supposed to lead his people to build their lives on the foundation that gives “health” and produces “good works.” Paul is saying this is the path to the good life. What does the good life look like?
The Counter-Cultural Context
First, note two of the qualities that are foundational to the good life: Submission and Self-control. They are to characterize the life of every Christian.
- Submission: Elders (1:9-10), wives (2:5), slaves (2:9), everyone (3:1)
- Self-Control: Elders (1:8), older men (2:2), younger woman (2:4-5), young men (2:6)
“Submission and self-control are profoundly counter-cultural. It was counter-cultural in Crete. We have already seen that ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons’ (1:12). These were people who did not control their speech, their emotions, or their appetites. It counter-cultural today. Western culture values self-expression instead of self-control; self-fulfillment instead of self-denial; and independence instead of submission.” – Tim Chester
Godly submission and self-control acknowledges that you have first been mastered by the generosity and goodness of God and that therefore it is your privilege and joy to master yourself for the good of others (I Cor. 9:24-27). The submissive life is unashamed to say that sin is a lie about God and therefore it also destroys the good life. Godly submission and self-control are paths to freedom and joy. If they are bad words to you, then there is a lie about God in your heart that needs to be rooted out.
The Good Life in Each Station
The instructions for different kinds of people assume that each face unique challenges and temptations as well as important opportunities for doing good.
- Older men: “are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” This indicates that the temptations of older men often center on growing weary: Cynicism, apathy, grumpiness, and growing weary of giving. But God wants older men to finish strong (like Caleb; Joshua 14:6-15). Our culture encourages men to see youthfulness as the prime of life and to fade away into the self-indulgence of retirement.
- Older Women: “are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women…” As women grow older, realism/bitterness can replace a zeal for goodness/gratitude. It’s easy to look down on others and judge their choices while liberally dishing out criticism. Instead, Paul says that women should teach what it good. Centrally this means leading the way for young women and being their cheerleaders.
- Young Women: “to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Motherhood is a great self-giving that faces opposition from within and without a young woman. It requires tremendous faith to love your little ones and husband while resisting the lies of barrenness and self-fulfillment touted by the world. Mothers are tempted to bitterness, discontentment, and fear, but the identity given in the Gospel liberates them to give with joy and confidence (Titus 3:3-7).
- Young Men: “be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” The sins young men face are sins of unbridled self-centeredness: Lust, selfish ambition, pride, and impatience. Instead of “sowing their oats,” young men should harness their strength for the good of others. The battle waged against young men is so intense because they possess an extraordinary capacity for doing good. Let no one look down on your youthfulness but show yourself to be an example of those who believe (1 Tim. 4:12). “Young men need to grow up, to take life seriously, to take their faith seriously and to be responsible. Our society first infantilized the teenage years; now it has done the same for our twenties. There is no room in the church for living for yourself for two or more decades before beginning to live out the biblical picture of a man.” – Tim Chester
The Community Context of Discipleship
The striking thing about this vision of godly life is the way it assumes the necessity of a community in which people are discipling each other. Like in a natural family, discipleship doesn’t just happen through books, but by walking through the situations of life together. At the center of this is the assumption that Titus isn’t doing all the discipleship himself. He was discipled by Paul (1:4) and he is to disciple others who are in turn to disciple others. He is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). Just as striking is the way this discipleship prioritizes the pattern of the old teaching the young.
- Older men and women are to teach younger men and women.
- Younger men and women are to seek out the counsel of older men and women.
- Older people set the direction and pattern for the young.
- Younger people are to respect and follow the example and direction of older people.
In our culture this is mostly backward. We revere youth even to the point where we try to seem as young as possible. Old age as become a problem to solve rather than an asset to cherish. But this is wrong: “Grey hair is a crown of glory” (Prov. 16:31); “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (Prov. 16:31). If you are old, you have a responsibility to disciple the young and share with them the gifts of wisdom God has given you. If you are young, you have a responsibility to cherish and seek out the wisdom of your elders and then pass it on to those younger than you. The task of discipleship in the kingdom of God is for everyone. Freely you have received, freely give (Matt. 10:8).