Old Men One of the types of people Paul references in his letter to Titus is old men. While in some other epistles, Paul is not categorizing this group on their position in the church. Paul heeds some aspects to Titus which he wishes for this group to adhere to. The first is the attitude of temperance. The word Biblical commentary breaks this down into “clear-minded, sober in judgement, self-controlled. ” In the same type of way, Paul uses this language to reference the elder men and women in his letter to Timothy (1 Tim 3:11].
The second of these virtues, is the need for the old men in Titus church to be sober. Which can have double meaning when looking at the context. Titus’ commission is to Crete, a large island in Greece. This area was known for its Pagan culture and hostile environment towards outside religions. Drunkenness in paganism was seen as a normality, especially in older men. So with Paul’s urging for soberness, we could interpret it as a physical soberness or a way of thinking, a soberness of spirit. This instruction can also be seen as a call to be dignified [Word Com].
There three virtues mentioned that seem to go together as a group, “… prudent, sound in faith and in love. [2:2]. Some say what Paul is saying can be counterintuitive to what we think older men are, which shows the type of people which were present in Titus’ congregation. The last virtue mentioned about old men is endurance [in faith], and like previously mentioned seems to be against what we believe about the elderly. With this urging, Titus can look to leaders in his church influence those beneath them. Old Women Titus is also written to about the types of virtues that women are to uphold.
Having used a lot of similar themes in talking about older men, the language seems a bit different. He uses more cut and dry way to talk about problems that could also been used to reference the men’s behaviors. Paul talks about how women shouldn’t be slave to the drink. He touches on this with older men but by urging them to be temperate and serious The strong language can either be interepreted as how much worse drunkards older women were on Crete then men, but | don’t think that is case. One way addressing women’s attitutes is thinking of Christin women on Crete with Pagan husbands.
Eerdmans’s Commentary on the Bible talks about how later in the passage women are urged to respect their husbands. By refusing to be in the some stride as their husbands and not being a slave to drink, they would be setting an example to other around them of the life to live. Setting an example is one of the best way for a woman in Titus’ congregation to have an influence. Also talked about in Eerdman’s commentary, the Greek verbiage used to describe where the women were doing such actions. Not in the church leadership with the men, but in the household.
This is where their scope of influence lies. Being chaste, and setting good examples for younger women also are mentioned by Paul. He was not being neglectful of the impact of women on the early church. Having a solid leader in faith in the home can set roots for strong values. Young men After addressing the elderly in Titus’ congregation, Paul talks about the young men. This section of this passage is interesting literally. Paul uses pronouns that seem to be speaking directly to Titus. He urges the young pastor to set a good example with good works.
To many of scholar is again is evidence of faulty authorship in the Pastoral Epistles. Paul’s view of good works righteousness was very opposed. What you did was not what made you saved. Because you are saved, you do good works. This is what most in support of the PE think Paul is referring to here. The Augsburg Commentary on the NT talks about the way this phrase was written. Reading the both verse 6 and 7 as one though helps focus the idea good deeds being a direct action, but being outcome of having self-control. Titus is also given the plea by Paul to have integrity and gravity.
In the same way which Paul urges older men to have endurance, gravity is a reference to stability in one’s faith and actions. Integrity is also another important quality for Paul. Constantly being asked about his collection for Jerusalem, his integrity is what he stood upon when defending himself in his letters. By instructing Titus to do the same, he is having hope the young pastor will be able show his honest character as his proof. On the same topic as a defense stance, Paul coaches Titus to be sound in speech, “[SO] then any opponent will be put to shame; having nothing evil to say to us” [v8].
Paul has face much smooth talking opposition in his travels and with Crete being a less than ideal place to start your ministry career, Titus will need his words to cut through the toughest argument. It is interesting though that Abingdon’s commentary on the PE talks about this section to the young men being very dense in Greek, so the exact meanings of what Paul is telling to Titus is unsure. Slaves The last group that Paul talks to in this passage is slaves. While the others he is referencing the in congregation is segmented by age group, this would a people separated by family class or cultural placement.
Similarly to the way Paul talks to the women in terms which highlight some of the stereotypes and faults, he does the same with slaves. In this context in culture, slaves were seen at those who were to be despised and not trusted. Paul urges Titus and his congregation to not take part in this stereotype. This would be especially hard for those where were owned by pagan masters. Having to show the love of Christ to one who thinks so little can be one of hardship. While some of the virtues and advice Paul gives to Titus is very specific, the meaning for can be taken in a modern context.
The influence that age groups have on each other can sometimes been one of family structure but also by influence. Setting a good example is a theme that Paul really hits hard with Titus in this passage. The phrase, “walk the walk and talk the talk” comes to mind. Having clear words can only be head to truth with the presence of actions that follow. To conclude, Paul’s letter to Titus will always be under the microscope on the basis of its authenticity. Which is not on unlike many other passages in the epistles. Without the presence of date and locations, each letter has its own problems.
The Pastoral Epistles with their different sounding language and the change in style can picked part at the seams with put up against other letters of classic Pauline writing. This does not negate their clear instructions and valuable lessons being taught to this young Greek pastor. Having explicit ways individuals are ordered to act and values to uphold gives a great insight to what Paul expects for a church. To this day, these letters from Paul are used to help dictate the virtues and roles for a modern church. Having instruction of this precision is valued highly when reading Paul’s teachings.
