"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works -- in doctrine shewing 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." (Titus 2:7-8)
How often have you heard this scripture preached, but the message/sermon focused primarily on one's conduct in the world? Highlighting one's transgressions over the teaching of sound doctrine? Or conversely, the message was about how believers should be an example of good works? Showing yourself in all things as a model in all good works, letting your speech be wholesome? If you are like me, far too often. Sadly, there are those who apply a higher standard of living placed on those who believe in Jesus, and been baptized in His name, and unfortunately, this can even be said of some within the church community.
But let's look at this particular scripture again. What does the Word really say here?
"In ALL things showing thyself a pattern of good works -- IN DOCTRINE!" (Titus 2:7)
In doctrine show uncorruptness. In doctrine show gravity. In doctrine show sincerity -- sound speech that cannot be condemned. (Titus 2:7-8)
And what is the doctrine that apostle Paul is referring to here? The apostles doctrine that was established on the day of Pentecost, wherein the first 3.000 believers repented, and were baptized in Jesus name. (Acts 2:1-47)
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)
But let's not stop here. Why is doctrine so important? Because doctrine is the very foundation for our faith in Jesus Christ. The Word that was with God and was God spoken into our hearts so that we might have abundant life in Him. (John 1:1-18) He is the chief cornerstone, the Head of the body of Christ. The Lord Jesus who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto -- whom no man hath seen, nor can see -- to whom honour and power everlasting." (I Timothy 6:13-16)
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered in -- Jesus -- made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 6:19-20)
"All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3:16)
And also as apostle Paul points out, so that "he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:8)
Note that this latter scripture is not referring to how the worldly perceive the disciples of Jesus but rather how others (who profess to be born again) view these same Christians within the body of Christ. In Timothy, apostle Paul refers to this mindset as "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:7) This is why we are commanded to "preach the Word, being instant in season, out of season, reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ..." (II Timothy 4:1-3) But I digress.
Let's return to Paul's epistle to Titus and look at what is being said here -- in context. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie promised before the world began, but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour is writing this epistle to Titus. (Titus 1:1-3)
Titus had been left in Crete, setting in order the things that are wanting, and ordaining elders in every city. Appointing those who "hold fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers -- for there are many unruly and vain talkers, and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision -- whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." (Titus 1:5-11)
Not given to Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth., or those who profess they know God but in works deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:12-16)
Herein, Paul is saying "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1)
Again, speak thou the things which become SOUND DOCTRINE. Preaching the Word as it is written, and not changing the scriptures to suit man's inward desires. This is the context that is lacking within today's modern day religious culture, where the focus is on the believing community to do more (and dare I say more and more) good works and to be kind rather than adhere to (and teach) only sound doctrine. Why did Paul believe this message to be so critical?
Because there is absolutely nothing that we could do in and of ourselves to earn salvation. Neither is our salvation about our good works. Rather, salvation is the gift of God freely given when we accept Jesus as both Lord and Christ.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness -- that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26)
Indeed, the same Lord who created us in the beginning paid the price with His own holy blood. And, likewise, He discerns the intentions of our heart. This is why Paul is encouraging us as believers to uphold the faith which was purchased by His blood, and not to let the religious dogma and traditions of men replace the grace of God with good works.
"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1)
Why? So "that the aged men [will] be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith in charity, in patience. [So that] the aged women likewise that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed. [So that] young men likewise exhort to be sober minded." (Titus 2:2-6)
And most of all, so that we -- "IN ALL THINGS show a pattern of good works 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." (Titus 2:7-8)
In other words, we need to recognize that the flow through mindset doesn't start and end with us and then somehow extend to our Lord God and Saviour. No! The same Lord God and Saviour who formed us and knew us from our mother's womb sees our heart. And, as a consequence of His shedding of blood, we can find eternal life when we give our life and desires over to Jesus -- the Author and Finisher of our faith. Therein, will He place His purposes in our heart, so that no man who resists the truth will despise thee. (Titus 2:15; II Timothy 3:8) That they shall proceed no further in speaking against you for their folly shall be manifest unto all.
As apostle Paul wrote, "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long suffering, patience ... continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom that hast learned [them]." (II Timothy 2:9-14)
"Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ -- who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" as a consequence of the Holy Ghost dwelling within us. (Titus 2:10-14)
The holy Spirit of God leading and directing us in all things according to sound doctrine and His Word. If you do not yet know Jesus, get to know His abundance of love for you. Repent of your sin, asking for His forgiveness, and be water baptized in the name of Jesus by immersion. (Acts 2:37-38) When you are buried with Christ, we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" taking on His name. (Romans 6:3-4)
And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! (Acts 2:38) As Paul declared, "these things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou and example of the believers, in Word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (I Timothy 3:9).
"Sound speech that cannot be condemned." (Titus 2:8)
"For I am the least of the apostles, that man not meet to be called an apostle because I persecuted the Church of God, but by the Grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God which was with me." (I Corinthians 15:1-9)
Read His Word today. Let His holy Spirit lead and guide you into the only wisdom and knowledge that will matter at the end of our days. This same Jesus who said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)
Stand in the offering plate.
How often have you heard this scripture preached, but the message/sermon focused primarily on one's conduct in the world? Highlighting one's transgressions over the teaching of sound doctrine? Or conversely, the message was about how believers should be an example of good works? Showing yourself in all things as a model in all good works, letting your speech be wholesome? If you are like me, far too often. Sadly, there are those who apply a higher standard of living placed on those who believe in Jesus, and been baptized in His name, and unfortunately, this can even be said of some within the church community.
But let's look at this particular scripture again. What does the Word really say here?
"In ALL things showing thyself a pattern of good works -- IN DOCTRINE!" (Titus 2:7)
In doctrine show uncorruptness. In doctrine show gravity. In doctrine show sincerity -- sound speech that cannot be condemned. (Titus 2:7-8)
And what is the doctrine that apostle Paul is referring to here? The apostles doctrine that was established on the day of Pentecost, wherein the first 3.000 believers repented, and were baptized in Jesus name. (Acts 2:1-47)
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)
But let's not stop here. Why is doctrine so important? Because doctrine is the very foundation for our faith in Jesus Christ. The Word that was with God and was God spoken into our hearts so that we might have abundant life in Him. (John 1:1-18) He is the chief cornerstone, the Head of the body of Christ. The Lord Jesus who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto -- whom no man hath seen, nor can see -- to whom honour and power everlasting." (I Timothy 6:13-16)
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered in -- Jesus -- made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 6:19-20)
"All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3:16)
And also as apostle Paul points out, so that "he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:8)
Note that this latter scripture is not referring to how the worldly perceive the disciples of Jesus but rather how others (who profess to be born again) view these same Christians within the body of Christ. In Timothy, apostle Paul refers to this mindset as "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:7) This is why we are commanded to "preach the Word, being instant in season, out of season, reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ..." (II Timothy 4:1-3) But I digress.
Let's return to Paul's epistle to Titus and look at what is being said here -- in context. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie promised before the world began, but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour is writing this epistle to Titus. (Titus 1:1-3)
Titus had been left in Crete, setting in order the things that are wanting, and ordaining elders in every city. Appointing those who "hold fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers -- for there are many unruly and vain talkers, and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision -- whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." (Titus 1:5-11)
Not given to Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth., or those who profess they know God but in works deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:12-16)
Herein, Paul is saying "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1)
Again, speak thou the things which become SOUND DOCTRINE. Preaching the Word as it is written, and not changing the scriptures to suit man's inward desires. This is the context that is lacking within today's modern day religious culture, where the focus is on the believing community to do more (and dare I say more and more) good works and to be kind rather than adhere to (and teach) only sound doctrine. Why did Paul believe this message to be so critical?
Because there is absolutely nothing that we could do in and of ourselves to earn salvation. Neither is our salvation about our good works. Rather, salvation is the gift of God freely given when we accept Jesus as both Lord and Christ.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness -- that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26)
Indeed, the same Lord who created us in the beginning paid the price with His own holy blood. And, likewise, He discerns the intentions of our heart. This is why Paul is encouraging us as believers to uphold the faith which was purchased by His blood, and not to let the religious dogma and traditions of men replace the grace of God with good works.
"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1)
Why? So "that the aged men [will] be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith in charity, in patience. [So that] the aged women likewise that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed. [So that] young men likewise exhort to be sober minded." (Titus 2:2-6)
And most of all, so that we -- "IN ALL THINGS show a pattern of good works 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." (Titus 2:7-8)
In other words, we need to recognize that the flow through mindset doesn't start and end with us and then somehow extend to our Lord God and Saviour. No! The same Lord God and Saviour who formed us and knew us from our mother's womb sees our heart. And, as a consequence of His shedding of blood, we can find eternal life when we give our life and desires over to Jesus -- the Author and Finisher of our faith. Therein, will He place His purposes in our heart, so that no man who resists the truth will despise thee. (Titus 2:15; II Timothy 3:8) That they shall proceed no further in speaking against you for their folly shall be manifest unto all.
As apostle Paul wrote, "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long suffering, patience ... continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom that hast learned [them]." (II Timothy 2:9-14)
"Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ -- who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" as a consequence of the Holy Ghost dwelling within us. (Titus 2:10-14)
The holy Spirit of God leading and directing us in all things according to sound doctrine and His Word. If you do not yet know Jesus, get to know His abundance of love for you. Repent of your sin, asking for His forgiveness, and be water baptized in the name of Jesus by immersion. (Acts 2:37-38) When you are buried with Christ, we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" taking on His name. (Romans 6:3-4)
And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! (Acts 2:38) As Paul declared, "these things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou and example of the believers, in Word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (I Timothy 3:9).
"Sound speech that cannot be condemned." (Titus 2:8)
"For I am the least of the apostles, that man not meet to be called an apostle because I persecuted the Church of God, but by the Grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God which was with me." (I Corinthians 15:1-9)
Read His Word today. Let His holy Spirit lead and guide you into the only wisdom and knowledge that will matter at the end of our days. This same Jesus who said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)
Stand in the offering plate.
*** To understand just how much this teaching has changed from the original scriptural text, particularly in the most recent re-written publications of the Bible, please look at the following comparisons that emphasize "good works" and your abilities - it's all about you mindset -- over "sound doctrine". Even so, we now know the truth that has set us free -- that is, salvation is the gift of God and not of our own doing. |Not of ourselves should any man boast. Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all on the cross, and because of His love for you and I, we can become a flow-through for Him, when we take on His name in water baptism.
The King James version states, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity." Here is what these comparison versions say about Titus 2:7 -- (as presented in biblehub.com)
My comment (as similarly stated by the apostles) -- "Lord, save us from this untoward generation." (Acts 2:40)
New International Version: "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness."
New Living Translation: "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching."
English Standard Version: "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,"
Holman Christian Standard Bible: "in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching."
International Standard Version: "Always set an example for others by doing good actions. Teach with integrity and dignity."
NET Bible: "showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,"
Aramaic Bible in Plain English: "But show yourself in all things as a model in all good works, and in your teaching let your speech be wholesome."
GOD'S WORD® Translation: "Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity."
Darby Bible Translation: "in all things affording thyself as a pattern of good works; in teaching uncorruptedness, gravity,"
Weymouth New Testament: "and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct, having in your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone,"
World English Bible" "in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility."
Young's Literal Translation: "concerning all things thyself showing a pattern of good works; in the teaching uncorruptedness, gravity, incorruptibility."
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