Titus 2:6-10
 
Titus 2:6 (KJB)
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
 
Exhort - Encourage or urge
To be sober minded - Be of sound mind, sensible, or serious
 
Paul now exhorts the young men that they too, in like manner, are to be sensible and of a sound mind. The younger men were to learn from the older men in the faith and that is why it is so important for those who are mature in the faith, with age must be an example to the younger men. If the older men are not an example, then the younger men will have a harder time being of a sober mind.
 
Titus 2:7 (KJB)
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
 
Pattern - An example, model, or figure
Uncorruptness - Integrity or soundness
Gravity - Honorableness and dignity
Sincerity - Incorruption or incapacity of decay
 
First, Paul tells the younger men that in all things they are to show an example of good works. If a person is a Christian, they need to involve themselves in good works and not to be entangled with worldly things which could ruin their example to others. Secondly, the younger men are exhorted concerning doctrine. They are to hold to the integrity of the Scriptures and are to hold them so tight that no bit of corruption can ever come between them and the truth. The younger men are also to hold to dignity of manner and purity of motive in the Christian walk. Then they are to be incapable of being corrupted. This is accomplished when they avoid contact with the sinful pleasures of the world. They are to be crucified to the world and the world must be crucified to them. It is the same in our day when so many young men enter the ministry with dreams of grandeur, not realizing that the ministry is not something to be entered into lightly. Some enter it to get out of working a job and think that ministry is nothing but semi-retirement with full benefits. I personally know a man who entered the ministry so he would not have to go to a job every day, in fact, he commented to another friend of mine that “now he could catch up on his golf.” This man entered into the ministry but lacks integrity.
 
Titus 2:8 (KJB)
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.
 
Sound - Healthy, whole, or well
That cannot be condemned - Above disgrace or beyond reproach
 
Paul now states that one must have sound speech. The word “sound” carries with it the idea of being healthy or well, lacking sickness. Our speech must be of such a high order that our words and teachings are above reproach. This can happen only when we teach the words of Scripture and stay away from man-made teachings such as philosophy, which would have been well known in Crete. We must never try to amalgamate the true teachings of Scripture with any man created systems. When we teach the purity of the Scriptures, those who oppose will not be able to condemn the teachings and whatever systems of thought they are espousing, the Scriptures will cause them to be put to shame as the Bible is absolute truth. When truth faces fiction, truth will always win, even if it is not acknowledged. Truth eventually puts to shame the false reasoning of man. This is why it is important that we watch what we are saying to others so we will never be the ones put to shame.
 
Titus 2:9 (KJB)
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
 
Answering again - Contradicting or refuting
 
Servants (slaves) were also encouraged to be obedient to their masters and to do everything possible to be pleasing to them. They are to obey them and not contradict them in refusing to do something or arguing with them and causing them much dismay. How many times in today’s work places do we see managers handing out assignments and some of the employees complain or reject the task given to them and then create a furor over their assignment. As Christians we are to accept whatever assignment our boss gives us and not fight back. If we receive an assignment which we believe violates our Christian ethics, then we should go to the boss in private and not make a big fuss about it. God expects and requires His children to be obedient, as long as that obedience does not violate His law and causes us to sin.
 
Titus 2:10 (KJB)
Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
 
Purloining - Embezzle, pilfer, or steal
Fidelity - Faithfulness
They may adorn - Giving beauty or garnish
 
Paul continues his exhortation to the servants that they must never steal from their masters. This theft not only comes in the form of actually stealing something but in the much to common form of slacking off when the boss isn’t looking. Whenever an employee takes an extra break or just gets lazy and stops working for a while, they are stealing from their company because they are still getting paid while they are slacking off. The Christian must show faithfulness even when no one is looking and when Christians perform as Christians should, it adds a certain beauty to the doctrine of God because it shows that the salvation is true and the teachings which we follow are true. These two things, when manifested in the life of the believer, will be welcomed by the boss as someone they can count on and that is the giving of beauty or the adorning of the doctrine of God. It may even lead to the boss becoming saved when he or she sees the truth in these Christians, God may open their eyes. Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” and I am sure billions today are asking the same question. Well, those of us who are saved know the truth and who is the truth, so let us live that truth before others that they may adorn the doctrine of God.

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