But as for you,
speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
the older women likewise,
that they be reverent in behavior,
not slanderers,
not given to much wine,
teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands,
to love their children,
to be discreet,
chaste,
homemakers,
good,
obedient to their own husbands,
that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Titus 2:1-5
LORD Jesus, we praise You that You are the Word of God. Forgive us whenever we neglect to study it diligently. Guide us in our study over the coming days. Teach us the meaning of Your words, precious LORD. Let us hear from You, O God, and enable us that we may not only be hearers but also doers of the Word. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.
Leadership is the key
The book of Titus serves to spur on pastors in leading their local churches. It contains much advice on what a godly lifestyle should look like, and it encourages pastors to overcome false teachings so that order may be restored.
Today’s passage, beginning with verse one, seems to (only) be addressed at the young pastor — who is called Titus. Verse two goes on to talk about the character of older men. So, why not start our study in verse three?
Context is the key
If we pick and choose verses, or, even worse, just sentences and words, we are tearing them out of their context. We have to be very careful not to do that; otherwise, the interpretation of the verse/s could change dramatically.
Following are two examples:
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
That is only a verse, Ecclesiastes 1:2, which cannot tell the purpose of the book or its first chapter.
“There is no God.”
Only a sentence, but not the whole statement of Psalm 14:1
Reading is the key
To give us a good start, why don’t we begin our study by reading the whole book of Titus? All of it? Yes, please. There are only 46 verses to it. You can do it!
Study and know the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 3:15)
