Titus 2:3-5

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1. What is the significance of “likewise” in verse 3a?
2. By implication, why would the word of God be blasphemed in verse 5c?  Because of its content, or because of their lives?

Titus 2:6-8

6 young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
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.

1. Why does “thyself” appear in verse 7?
2. What is the difference in verse 7a and verse 7b?
3. Why, according to verse 8b, does the Christian have to live his faith?
4. What, in context, is the “evil” or “bad” of verse 8c?

Titus 2:9, 10

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

1. How does one show faith in verse 10b?
2. Why must one show faith according to verse 10c?
3. Who is “they” in verse 10c?
4. How does one, in your opinion, adorn the teaching of God, the Savior of us?  Note that in verse 10 it is by “shewing all good faith.”

Assignment Answers

Titus 2:1, 2

1. Titus 1:15, 16
2. 2:1-10, plus the reasons given in 2:11-14.

Titus 2:3-5

1. “Similarly” means that the counsels given in verse 2 to men are also to be observed by women in the church.

   Since the creation of Adam and Eve there have been gender oriented assignments for both women and men, as those that appear in the bible book we are studying, but there is no setting forth of a separate way of salvation, or standard of salvation, for opposite genders.  In Scripture salvation does not have two tracks – – one for men; one for women – – even though their work assignments are often different.

   The promise appearing in 1 Tim 2:15 is not applicable to men but it does not constitute a condition for salvation – – it is a promise.  There is no parallel promise made to men, except the general promise of salvation that is applicable to all mankind.

2. If the word of God were to be blasphemed, it would be because of their lives in verse 5c.

Titus 2:6-8

1.  Titus is young, the context of verses 6-8.
2. Verse 7a goes with verse 6, and therefore states that Titus is to do correct acts before the young men of verse 6, while verse 1b broadens his assignment to setting forth correctly the doctrine, with accompanying life style.  “Paul’s life was an exemplification of the truths he taught, and herein lay his power” (A.A., p. 507).
3. The instruction in verses 7 and 8a is to deny the opposer of the gospel the opportunity to say Christ’s followers are professors in word only.
4. In context, the evil of verse 8c is not living, or doing, what one preaches.

Titus 2:9, 19

1. Christian slaves knew that slavery was wrong – – but they showed faith in God when they acted like Christians even when they did not like the circumstances their God left them in; slavery – – sometimes with rude masters.

   Note the following comments about Jesus experience in the wilderness during His time of special trial which marked the beginning fo His public ministry here on earth.

   Jesus had humbled himself, clothing his divinity with humanity, and subjecting himself to all the temptations wherewith humanity should be beset; although weakened by his long fast, he would not give Satan the least advantage, or stop to argue with him over his imputation of doubt in regard to the divinity of Christ.  He knew that appearances were all against him; for human weakness, human necessities, were upon him, and he felt keenly the want of food and the results of his long fast.  In a time like that, he might have allowed a series of suppositions and doubts to assail him, and, have given up to the enemy, and have murmured against God in the humiliation of his position, looking at his great want and the lack of that which would supply his needs. . . .

   But

   He did not manifest the least doubt of God’s care, or give any heed to Satan’s suggestion to question his divine character and mission (Ellen G. white, 4 RH 141).

2. That the one abusing his fellowmen may learn to see the gospel as attractive (Kosmew).
3. The owners of slaves.
4. “To adorn the doctrine of Christ our Savior, we must have the same mind which was in Christ.  Our likes and dislikes, our desire to favor self to the disadvantage of others must be overcome.  Let the “peace of God rule in your hearts.  Christ must be in us a living, working power. . . .  (Ellen G. White, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 921).

   “There must be a constant development of Christian virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experience.  This we should seek with intensity of desire, that we may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Savior” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 506).

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