By way of exhortation, we plan to consider three phrases that stand out in Paul’s epistle to Titus. Each provide a basis for introspection as we prepare for the memorial emblems.
God our Savior, Christ our Savior
Three times in Titus, once in each chapter, the phrase “God our Savior” is coupled with a form of the phrase “Christ our Savior.” This immediately arrests our attention because the phrases are not common and are linked together only in Titus.
Before discerning the exhortation, a brief comment needs to be made on each of the three passages.
Titus 1:2-4
“[God] hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior…”
There is a major teaching behind these verses that is seen when we read them in conjunction with four other statements by Paul.
“Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Cor. 1:20-21). It was God’s decision to use the method of preaching to manifest His word.
“And he [Ananias] said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee…” (Acts 22:14). God had chosen Paul and commanded that the gospel to the Gentiles be committed to him.
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (I Tim. 1:12). Christ was the one who appeared to Paul, directed Ananias to him and brought him into the ministry of preaching the word of Truth. God’s decision was thus carried out through the Lord Jesus.
“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (I Cor. 8:6). God is the initiator of all aspects of His plan and Christ is the means by which His purpose is accomplished.
Thus behind the words of Titus 1:2-4 is this basic process of operation between the Father and the Son. Paul is alluding to God’s decisions in regard to preaching generally and Paul personally. But the Lord Jesus Christ was the one through whom the Father’s intent was accomplished. Thus Christ is also called “our Savior.”
Titus 2:10-14
The wording of verse 13, “the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” is unusual. Paul seems to be calling Jesus “The great God.”
If this passage were in the Old Testament, we would feel it was the language of God manifestation. The name of God is applied to the angels and judges in Israel; in prophecies of the Messiah and the coming kingdom, many divine names and titles are applied to Christ and the saints.
Before concluding this is a New Testament example of the same form of language, we should note the rendering given in other versions. They read, “the appearing of the glory of our great God and [the appearing of] our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 RV, RSV, etc.). When Christ returns, “the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels” (Matt. 16:27). This is the picture Paul no doubt has in mind — when our blessed hope is fulfilled in the return of our Savior accompanied by the glory of God in the angelic host.
Titus 3:3-7
This passage comes alive when we see the autobiographical background to the language. Paul points us in that direction with the words, “we ourselves also.” In addition to the brethren in Crete, he has himself in mind as the basis of his praise of God’s mercy through Christ.
When he was younger, ambitiously gaining status within Jewry, he was serving his own selfish ambition. He envied those ahead of him and hated those who tried to hold him back: “Living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Tit. 3:3). By thus following the lusts of his flesh and of his mind, he was a child of anger, having wrath as his spiritual father (cf. Eph. 2:3).
Yet on the road to Damascus, the love of God appeared to him leading him to experience the washing of regeneration as he was baptized for the forgiveness of sins. He also experienced an abundance of gifts of the Holy Spirit “through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Being justified by grace, he became a true son of Abraham and heir to the hope of eternal life.
God’s saving love exhorts us to do likewise
As we contemplate God our Savior and Jesus Christ our Savior, our hearts overflow in gratitude and praise for their grace on our behalf. Yet we not only experience an incentive to praise, we also contemplate the exhortation. The love of God is not just for us to admire, it is for us to emulate: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (I John 4:10-11).
Sacrificial love that others might be saved is a family characteristic. All true members of the family of God are concerned that others be saved. We may feel this primarily concerns outreach activities. It does include these but it also includes our attitudes toward our natural and spiritual families. We need to consider our ways toward our partners in marriage, our parents and our children. Are we helping them to be saved or are we making it more difficult for them to be true disciples?
And what about our ecclesial family — are our thoughts always about what they are doing for us, how they are treating us and talking to us? Or are we keenly concerned with their eternal welfare and what we can do for them? We should not be putting our own welfare first but seeking to lift up the failing hands and strengthen the stumbling knees of others.
Great comfort
There is exhortation and great comfort in contemplating God our Savior and Christ our Savior. Consider who is on our side — the Almighty God of heaven and earth who is all-powerful and all-knowing as well as abundantly gracious. There is also the Lord Jesus who has been given all power in heaven and earth, who is judge of all and who has complete power over the grave to open it and give eternal life to all his faithful ones.
Sound, Healthy Teaching
Another phrase that stands out in Titus is “sound” doctrine. The word means “healthy” and appears in 1:9,13; 2:1,2,8.
Contrasted to Jewish observances
In 1:9-10, bishops are to be appointed who “may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers…specially they of the circumcision.” The specific wrong teaching in mind was coming from the Jewish quarter.
The same point is indicated in 1:13-15: “That they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men…Unto the pure all things are pure.”
One might think that the regimen of Jewish restrictions regarding diet, holy days, etc. was exactly what the undisciplined Cretians needed. While we realize the real issue is the condition of the heart, we could reason that such an approach would help them in the Truth.
In fact, we may look at society around us and feel external restrictions encourage true religion. The world is full of wickedness expressing itself in immorality, inappropriate dress, vulgar talk and gross misconduct of every variety. We may reason: What is needed is discipline! By imposing a system of legalities on ourselves — codes of dress and diet, abstinence and rigidity of many kinds — we may feel we could become better disciples.
Godliness through rules is not healthy teaching
Discipline is essential to discipleship but the apostle says there is something unhealthy about trying to establish godliness through rules. “Why do you submit to regulations,” he says. “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch…according to human precepts and doctrines? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting rigor of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh” (Col. 2:20-23 RSV).
The difficulty is this — by keeping rules, people feel all their religious duties are fulfilled so they ignore the real issues resulting in a careless, godless life. They can keep rules but still envy their brethren, fill their minds with lustful thoughts and despise those who belong to Christ. Their religion has an outward show of piety, but in the important issues, they neglect God’s principles.
Healthy teaching also forbids careless doubts
Titus is exhorted: “In doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 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” (2:7-8).
We also need to heed this exhortation. Spiritualizing the early chapters of Genesis, for example, or dismissing natural Israel’s continued role in God’s purpose is unhealthy doctrine. It serves no useful purpose and contributes to skepticism and doubt.
Be Discreet, Temperate, Serious
We have likely noted the frequent occurrence of the word “sober” in Titus (1:8; 2:2,4,6,12). This is one of a group of words exhorting us to discreet and dignified behavior. The virtues alluded to are not the great ones of faith, hope and love, but they are obviously important to receive the emphasis they do in this epistle.
In looking carefully at the verses, we note that several Greek words are employed. Their meanings fill out the exhortation, readily making the apostle’s point.
Temperate and sober
The original word rendered “temperate” in 1:8 is only found here and means to have control over one’s self.
The word rendered “sober” in 1:8 is translated “temperate” in 2:2, “discreet” in 2:5 and “sober-minded” in 2:6,12. It describes the attitude of a person with a well-balanced mind, equally opposed to extremes in any direction.
“Sober” in 2:2 is from a different Greek word. In its literal sense, the word speaks of being free of the influence of wine. Here it is used of being clear thinking in every respect. To appropriately live the Truth, our minds cannot be befogged by wine or by needless doubts and unprofitable contentions.
Grave – serious but not grim
“Grave” in 2:2 and “gravity” 2:7 speak of being serious about the Truth without being grim, miserable and cheerless. We are to be filled with joy, having a delight in the blessings of God. Yet we are ambassadors for Christ, knowledgeable of the ways of life and death. And we know that the issue is not yet settled — we are always aware it is possible to fall away.
Our hymns are a good example of a right balance of gravity and joy. Properly sung, they are full of enthusiasm and joy, but they are not frivolous. Rather, they are sound and meaningful.
Suitable thoughts as we approach the memorials
“Temperate, discreet, clear thinking, dignified” are all words that cause us to pause and reflect upon our ways in Christ. For this is a faithful saying that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good conduct.
As we participate in the memorials we are thankful for the heritage of sound doctrine that is ours and we are deeply grateful for the mercy of God our Savior “which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (3:6-7).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One