6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Titus 2:6-8
As we saw last week, Paul transitions in 2:4 to address the younger members of the churches, exhorting them (the young women) to exemplify purity and faithfulness to the Lord in how they care for their homes and love their children and husbands. He transitions in 2:6-8 to address the younger men, with Titus serving as the pattern for what it will mean for them to live faithfully.
Paul returns to use the imperative tense, emphasizing the importance of Titus “urging” or “exhorting” the younger men to a certain manner of life. Specifically, they are to be self-controlled, a term that Paul has employed repeatedly throughout the letter in order to describe Christian character. Following so closely after a similar exhortation to the young women that was related to sexual purity, we can assume that the apostle continues to have that aspect of self-control in mind for the young men. Because of the Cretan stereotype, the young men of the churches are exhorted to be men of temperance that do not indulge in out of control behavior. Instead, they are to live properly as sons of the living God, enjoying the good gifts that He has given in ways that bring Him glory and them enjoyment.
Paul then transitions to address Titus specifically, demonstrating that he considers him to be a part of this demographic. In all aspects of his life, Titus is to be a model of ‘good work,’ demonstrating for the other young men what it means to live a faithful life. These good works are not for the purpose of accomplishing salvation, but are instead, as Philip Towner notes, “the observable dimension of the Christian life that faith produces.” Paul then addresses Titus’ teaching ministry directly, encouraging him that his teaching should not have ulterior motives like those of the false teachers plaguing the churches. Instead, he should teach the truth in such a way that commands the respect of those among whom he is ministering. The content of his teaching must also be the ‘healthy word,’ that is, the gospel entrusted to Paul that is founded upon the truths of Scripture. If Titus will continue to proclaim the gospel message and instruct the churches in what it means to live as Jesus’ faithful witnesses, then the churches will be healthy and strong. This will render the attacks of the opponents null and void and they themselves will be put to shame when those they are seeking to win over recognize the emptiness of their criticism.
Considering the wider context and the chiastic structure that Paul has built into the passage, one of the primary ways that Titus will serve as an example to the younger men is in how he demonstrates what it means to learn from someone who is older. Throughout his writings, Paul exhorts believers to follow in his example of faithfulness. Because Titus has learned from the older man who discipled him, he can serve as a an example to the young men of the importance of learning from those who are older and more mature in the faith. Paul taught Titus sound doctrine and modeled a life of faithfulness for him. The older men of the churches are to do this for the younger men who, following in the example of Titus, are to be humble enough to learn from them.
Join us this Sunday as we come together to worship Jesus and fellowship together!
Soli Deo Gloria.
-Thomas