This section has two verses.
Titus 2:7-8
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity,
sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he
that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having
no evil thing to say of you.
We will begin with the Barclay Commentary.
THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
5. THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER
Titus 2:7–8
And all the time you are doing this you must offer
yourself as a pattern of fine conduct; and in your
teaching you must display absolute purity of motive,
dignity, a sound message which no one could condemn,
so that your opponent may be turned to shame,
because he can find nothing bad to say about us.
IF Titus’ teaching is to be effective, it must be
backed by the witness of his own life. He is himself
to be the demonstration of all that he teaches.
(1) It must be clear that his motives are absolutely
pure. The Christian teacher and preacher is always
faced with certain temptations. There is always the
danger of self-publicity, the temptation to
demonstrate one’s own cleverness and to seek to
attract notice to oneself rather than to God’s
message. There is always the temptation to power.
The teacher, the preacher, the pastor is always
confronted with the temptation to be a dictator.
Leader he must be, but dictator never. Titus will
find that people can be led, but that they will
never be driven. If there is one danger which
confronts the Christian teacher and preacher more
than another, it is to set store by the wrong
standards of success. It can often happen that those
who have never been heard of outside their own
sphere of work are in God’s eyes far more successful
than those who have become household names.
(2) He must have dignity. Dignity is not aloofness,
or arrogance, or pride; it is the consciousness of
having the terrible responsibility of being the
ambassador of Christ. Others may stoop to pettiness;
Titus must be above it. Others may bear their
grudges; he must have no bitterness. Others may be
touchy about their status; he must have a humility
which has forgotten that it has a place. Others may
grow irritable or blaze into anger in an argument;
he must have a serenity which cannot be provoked.
Nothing so injures the cause of Christ as when
leaders of the Church and pastors of the people
descend to conduct and to words unworthy of Christ’s
servants.
(3) He must have a sound message. Christian teachers
and preachers must be certain to pass on the truths
of the gospel and not their own ideas. There is
nothing easier than to spend time on side issues;
but Titus might well have one prayer: ‘God, give me
a sense of proportion.’ The central things of the
faith will last him a lifetime. As soon as he
becomes a propagandist either for his own ideas or
for the interest of a particular group, he ceases to
be an effective preacher or teacher of the word of
God.
The duty laid on Titus is the tremendous task not of
talking to people about Christ but of showing Christ
to them. It must be true of him as it was of
Chaucer’s saintly parson in the Canterbury Tales:
[knowing that Chaucer uses
strange spellings of words]
But Cristes love, and his apostles twelve
He taught, but first he folwed it him-selve.
The greatest compliment that can be paid to a
teacher is to
say of him: ‘First he wrought, and then he taught.’
~Barclay Commentary
Now to the other commentaries beginning with the
general and going to the specific. We will
begin with the Matthew Henry Main
5. With these instructions to Titus, respecting what
he should teach others - the aged men and women, and
the younger of both sexes (Titus himself probably at
this time being a young man also), the apostle
inserts some directions to himself. He could not
expect so successfully to teach others, if he did
not conduct himself well both in his conversation
and preaching.
(1.) Here is direction for his conversation: In all
things showing thyself a pattern of good works,
Titus 2:7. Without this, he would pull down with one
hand what he built with the other. Observe,
Preachers of good works must be patterns of them
also; good doctrine and good life must go together.
Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not
thyself? A defect here is a great blemish and a
great hindrance. In all things; some read, above all
things, or above all men. Instructing others in the
particulars of their duty is necessary, and, above
all things, example, especially that of the teacher
himself, is needful; hereby both light and influence
are more likely to go together. “Let them see a
lively image of those virtues and graces in thy life
which must be in theirs. Example may both teach and
impress the things taught; when they see purity and
gravity, sobriety and all good life, in thee, they
may be more easily won and brought thereto
themselves; they may become pious and holy, sober
and righteous, as thou art.” Ministers must be
examples to the flock, and the people followers of
them, as they are of Christ. And here is direction,
(2.) For his teaching and doctrine, as well as for
his life: In doctrine showing uncorruptness,
gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be
condemned, Titus 2:7-8. They must make it appear
that the design of their preaching is purely to
advance the honour of God, the interest of Christ
and his kingdom, and the welfare and happiness of
souls; that this office was not entered into nor
used with secular views, not from ambition nor
covetousness, but a pure aim at the spiritual ends
of its institution. In their preaching, therefore,
the display of wit or parts, or of human learning or
oratory, is not to be affected; but sound speech
must be used, which cannot be condemned;
scripture-language, as far as well may be, in
expressing scripture-truths. This is sound speech,
that cannot be condemned. We have more than once
these duties of a minister set together. 1 Timothy
4:16
[see
Lesson]
, Take heed to thyself, and to
thy doctrine: and, 1 Timothy 4:12
[see
Lesson]
. of the same chapter, “Let no
man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of
believers in word - in thy speech, as a Christian,
being grave, serious, and to the use of edifying;
and in thy preaching, that it be the pure word of
God, or what is agreeable to it and founded on it.
Thus be an example in word: and in conversation, the
life corresponding with the doctrine. In doing this
thou shalt both save thyself and those that hear
thee.” In 2 Timothy 3:10
[see
Lesson]
, Thou hast fully known my
doctrine and manner of life (says the same apostle),
how agreeable these have been. And so must it be
with others; their teaching must be agreeable to the
word, and their life with their teaching. This is
the true and good minister. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-10.
Labouring night and day, we preached to you the
gospel of God; and you are witnesses, and God also,
how holily, and justly, and unblamably, we behaved
ourselves among you. This must be looked to, as the
next words show, which are,
(3.) The reason both for the strictness of the
minister's life and the gravity and soundness of his
preaching: That he who is of the contrary part may
be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Adversaries would be seeking occasion to reflect,
and would do so could they find any thing amiss in
doctrine or life; but, if both were right and good,
such ministers might set calumny itself at defiance;
they would have not evil thing to say justly, and so
must be ashamed of their opposition. Observe,
Faithful ministers will have enemies watching for
their halting, such as will endeavour to find or
pick holes in their teaching or behaviour; the more
need therefore for them to look to themselves, that
no just occasion be found against them. Opposition
and calumny perhaps may not be escaped; men of
corrupt minds will resist the truth, and often
reproach the preachers and professors of it; but let
them see that with well-doing they put to silence
the ignorance of foolish men; that, when they speak
evil of them as evil-doers; those may be ashamed who
falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ.
This is the direction to Titus himself, and so of
the duties of free persons, male and female, old and
young. ~Matthew Henry Main
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise.
This commentary covers verses 1-10.
Old disciples of Christ must behave in everything
agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged
men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature
will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from
nearer communion with God, not from any undue
indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in
love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake.
Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful;
therefore, need to be on their guard. Though there
is not express Scripture for every word, or look,
yet there are general rules, according to which all
must be ordered. Young women must be sober and
discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal
temptations by what at first might be only want of
discretion. The reason is added, that the word of
God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties
greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to
be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be
earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are
more young people ruined by pride than by any other
sin. Every godly man's endeavor must be to stop the
mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience
answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for
a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open
itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to
speak of! ~Matthew Henry
Concise.
Here is something from the Biblical Illustrator:
In all things showing thyself a pattern
A good example
Having propounded the several precepts fitted to all
ages of men and women, the last whereof was unto
young men, our apostle here inserteth a precept unto
Titus himself, whence it is probably gathered that
Titus was now a young man, as Timothy also was, in
the same office of an evangelist; and being a
minister, in him he closely again instituteth every
minister, notwithstanding he hath been most ample in
that argument, as though ministers could never
sufficiently be instructed.
In these two verses we will consider two things.
1. A precept.
2. An enforcement of it.
I. The precept is, That Titus show himself an
example to others. For as all the persons formerly
taught, so more especially the last sort, namely,
young men, for the slipperiness of their age need
the benefit of good example as well as good
doctrines and counsel. And this exhortation is
enlarged by setting down wherein Titus must become
an example, which is done, first, more generally,
“in all things,” we read it, “above all things”;
others, “above all men,” which readings may be true,
and grounds of good instruction, but I take the
first aptest to the place. Secondly, by a more
particular enumeration of shining virtues, as
1. Uncorrupt doctrine.
2. Good life fruitful in good works; and these not
one or two, or now and then in good moods, but there
must be a constant trading in them throughout a
grave and pare conversation.
3. There must be joined gracious speeches and words,
for I take it fitliest interpreted of private
communication, described by two necessary adjuncts.
1) It must be wholesome.
2) Unblameable, or not liable to reproof.
II. The enforcement of the precept is taken from the
end or fruit of it, which is twofold.
1. Shame.
2. Silence to the withstanders and opposers.
And thus the general scope of the verses is as if he
had more largely said, “That this thy doctrine, O
Titus, thus aptly applied to all sorts of men, may
carry more weight and authority with it, see thou
that (considering thou art
set in a more eminent place, and clearer sun, and
hast all eyes beholding and prying into thee)
thou show thyself a pattern and express type wherein
men may behold all these graces shining in thy own
life: let them look in thy glass, and see the lively
image of a grave and pure conversation, which may
allure them to the love of the doctrine which thou
teachest: let them hear from thy mouth in thy
private conferences and speech nothing but what may
work them to soundness; at the least, keep thou such
a watch over thy tongue, as that nothing pass thee
which may be reprehended [find
fault with], and hence will it come to
pass that although thou hast many maliciously minded
men, seeking by all means to oppose thy doctrine and
life, and to destroy the one by the other, these
shall either be put to silence and have nothing to
say, or if they take boldness to speak anything, it
being unjust, the shame shall be removed from thee
and fall justly upon themselves; and all the
reproach shall return home to their own doors.”
~Biblical Illustrator
Now to the specific commentaries.
Many commentaries put this verse in two parts:
1] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of
good works:
2] in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity,
sincerity.
However for our use, I will break it out as Barnes
Notes:
1] In all things showing thyself a pattern of
good works.
2] In doctrine.
3] Showing uncorruptness.
4] Gravity.
5] Sincerity.
1] In all
things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
In all things showing thyself
a pattern of good works - Not merely teaching
others, but showing them by example how they ought
to live. On the word rendered “pattern” (τύπον
tupon, type).
~Barnes Notes
In all things showing thyself
a pattern - As the apostle had given
directions relative to the conduct of old men, Titus
2:2, of old women, Titus 2:3, of young women, Titus
2:4, and of young men, Titus 2:6, the words περι
παντα, which we translate in all things, should be
rather considered in reference to the above persons,
and the behavior required in them: showing thyself a
pattern of good works to all these persons - being,
in sobriety, gravity, temperance, what thou
requirest others to be.
~Adam Clarke
In all things showing thyself
a pattern of good works - It was not enough
for Titus, and so neither for any other Gospel
minister, to deliver out sound doctrine, and to
exhort persons of different ages and sexes to the
things which become it, but he should through the
whole of his conversation be a pattern of every good
work unto them; for they that are the shepherds of
the flock, are not only to feed them with knowledge,
and with understanding, but to be ensamples to them,
as well as they who are under their care ought to
walk, as they have them for an example.
~John Gill
2] In doctrine.
In doctrine - In your
manner of teaching; notes, 1 Timothy 4:16.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse
1 Timothy 4:16 [see
Lesson]
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both
save thyself, and them that hear thee.
In doctrine showing
uncorruptness - Mixing nothing with the
truth; taking nothing from it; adding nothing to it;
and exhibiting it in all its connection, energy, and
fullness. ~Adam Clarke
In doctrine, showing
uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity - the
apostle here either returns again to his advice
about doctrine, that it should be delivered out pure
and incorrupt, free from error and heresy, and every
mixture and invention of man's; and with all gravity
of speech and countenance, without levity in
expression, and airiness of gesture; and that it be
the sincere milk of the word that is given forth,
and that with all integrity and uprightness of soul:
or else this refers to the life and conversation of
the teacher, as answering to his doctrine, and going
along with it; and the sense is, in, or with
doctrine, along with the doctrine preached, let the
conversation be pure and incorrupt, free from the
pollutions of the world, and from any governing
vice; and let it be attended with gravity in word,
gesture, look, and dress; and with all sincerity,
faithfulness, and simplicity, in all our dealings,
either with the saints, or with the men of the
world. ~John Gill
3] Showing
uncorruptness.
Showing uncorruptness -
The word here used does not occur elsewhere in the
New Testament. It means, here, the same as purity -
that which is not erroneous, and which does not tend
to corrupt or vitiate the morals of others, or to
endanger their salvation. Everything in his teaching
was to be such as to make men purer and better.
~Barnes Notes
4] Gravity.
Gravity - See this word
explained in the notes at 1 Timothy 2:2, where it is
rendered “honesty;” compare the notes at 1 Timothy
3:4, where it is rendered “gravity.” It does not
elsewhere occur; see the use of the adjective,
however, in Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 3:8, 1
Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:9. The word properly means
“venerableness;” then, whatever will insure respect,
in character, opinions, deportment. The sense here
is, that the manner in which a preacher delivers his
message, should be such as to command respect. He
should evince good sense, undoubted piety, an
acquaintance with his subject, simplicity,
seriousness, and earnestness, in his manner.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses
1 Timothy 2:2 [see
Lesson]
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 3:4 [see
Lesson]
One that ruleth well his own house, having his
children in subjection with all gravity;
1 Timothy 3:8 [see
Lesson]
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not
doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of
filthy lucre;
1 Timothy 3:11 [see
Lesson]
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers,
sober, faithful in all things.
Titus 2:9 [see
Lesson]
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own
masters, and to please them well in all things; not
answering again.
5] Sincerity.
Sincerity - See this
word (ἀφθαρσία aphtharsia)
explained in the notes at Ephesians 6:24. It is
rendered immortality in Romans 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:10;
incorruption, in 1 Corinthians 15:42, 1
Corinthians15:50, 1 Corinthians 15:53-54; and
sincerity, Ephesians 6:24, and in the place before
us. It does not elsewhere occur in the New
Testament. It means incorruption, incapacity of
decay; and, therefore, would be here synonymous with
purity. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity. Amen.
The commentary on this verse
In
sincerity - Margin, “with
incorruption.” With a pure heart; without
dissembling; without hypocrisy. There could
not be a more appropriate close of the
Epistle than such a wish; there will be
nothing more needful for us when we come to
the close of life than the consciousness
that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. ~Barnes
Notes |
Romans
2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing
seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal
life:
2 Timothy 1:10 [see
Lesson]
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our
Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and
hath brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel:
1 Corinthians 15:42
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown
in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Corinthians 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth
corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:53-54
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the
saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory.
So, be like Titus:
1] Do good works and be an example of good works
2] Have and believe sound doctrine. Mix nothing with
the truth.
3] Be incorrupt. Enter into nothing that would
endanger salvation.
4] Conduct yourself with seriousness, simplicity and
earnestness in all spiritual elements. Do not be
double-tongued and do not be double-minded.
5] Show no hypocrisy. Have a pure heart. Love the
Lord, Jesus Christ.
These are the lessons of verse 7 |