Titus 2:7-8: A Pattern of Good Works
2022-05-07
Titus 2:7
As a church planter serving a pastoral role as he appointed elders, Titus was in the position of being a role model. In some ways, this continues from the previous section of teaching young men. By his lifestyle, Titus would instruct how young men should conduct themselves.
This is not only for young men, though. Titus was to show himself “a pattern of good works.” The word for pattern is the same word for type (as in typology), also translated “example,” “print,” “figure,” “fashion,” and “form.” It is like die casting or a blueprint.
Jesus’ marks in his hands because of the nails of the cross were “prints,” which is this word: “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Those holes in the Lord’s hands were shaped by those nails.
Consider the pattern shown to Moses concerning the Tabernacle: “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen” (Acts 7:44). There was some blueprint shown to him, and he had to make it exactly the way the Lord showed him.
Titus was that blueprint or mold that all were to be shaped by. Whatever example he was to show, that is what people were going to copy. He had to be very careful to be the right pattern, just like the Tabernacle blueprint.
In typology, it is used this way: “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come” (Romans 5:14). Adam was a type of Christ. Adam’s sin affected all of humankind, and in the same way Christ’s righteousness affected all of those born again. It is a pattern that was followed.
There are negative examples in the Scripture, meaning we see their example, and do not follow it. Consider 1 Corinthians 10:5-11, talking of those in the wilderness en route to the Promised Land. They were idolatrous and tempted the Lord. We are to look at those people, and not copy what they did, because we saw how the Lord responded to them.
Consider Paul’s positive example: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17). We need good examples to follow; those the most Christlike are those examples. The apostles were examples. Here, leadership like Titus must be those examples for other people. We look to godly people to follow, and we in turn become examples to our children and grandchildren to mold them the right way.
In teaching, Titus had to demonstrate certain qualities as to not disqualify himself or the reputation of the church. His teaching must be marked with uncorruptness, or purity. This is intimidating to the teacher. “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). Wrong teaching leads well-meaning people astray.
Consider the purity of Christ and His Word in 1 Peter 1:18-25. Silver and gold are corruptible; they do not last forever. They can be destroyed. Christ’s blood is contrasted with these; He is without blemish or spot. Our souls are purified by the truth of God’s Word. Obeying His Word by faith results in our purifying. Moreover, the Word of God is incorruptible. We have eternal life because the seed of the Word is incorruptible, unlike the seed of humankind, which is corruptible.
How do we teach with uncorruptness? We must teach the Word of God. More of His Words must be used, and less of our Words. “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). However, let us not restrict the use of His Word without wresting it.
Titus’ teaching is with gravity, honesty, and veneration. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalms 119:140). You honor the Word above others’ words. There is a reason that in my notes and website the Scriptures are put in a different font. They are holy; they are set apart. They are the Words that we must honor above others. When we teach the Word of God, we must have respect for the Word, and do everything we can to not teach things contrary to it.
Teaching the word also must be in sincerity. You must sincerely believe it. You must own the truths that you are communicating. One cannot fake your way through it.
Titus 2:8
Titus’ teaching is to be executed with sound speech. People need to understand the teaching. There is a whole chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 14, that tells us that everything must be in the vernacular, or else use a translator. This is not just pertaining to foreign languages. It is also using a lot of jargon without explaining what you mean. Consider 1 Corinthians 14:9-11. If you cannot communicate with sound speech for everyone to understand, it will be lost on the audience.
Sound speech for understanding is important also because if it is misunderstood, it can cause someone to claim you said something you did not. The speech would be more easily twisted for one’s purpose.
Sound speech is also how it is said. If something is said in the wrong tone, such as being condescending, cruel, etc., that can also derail the message. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Truth without love is using the Sword of the Lord without care, injuring instead of healing or convicting.
Teaching with these previous characteristics will shut down false teaching, and false teachers will be ashamed. If you speak soundly in a loving way, you cannot not be maligned. They must admit the teaching is sound and your heart is right when you teach in love. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).