THE PRUDENCE
Titus 2.2-3
In these verses Paul addresses older men and women, who in their age should be experienced in all aspects of life, have some wisdom, conscience, and enough morality to teach younger generation the way of GOD, not the way of the world, but the way of the Gospel of Christ.
Being themselves educated enough and understand the principals and essence of the Sound Doctrine, they should pass their proper knowledge and understanding to the next generations of their children and grandchildren, in order to put them on the right path leading to the Lord.
Paul noticed long ago that many of the elderly learn very little and are not wise enough according to their age. Paul look at them and tried to teach them the elementary and simple basics of the Word of GOD, gave them "milk" and not "solid food," to their own shame, because by their age they should be already good teachers themselves and teach others the knowledge and wisdom of the Gospel, but unfortunately they are still far away from it (1Corinthians 3.1-2) (2Corinthians 5.13) (Hebrews 5.12-14).
To older women Paul wished to do the same, teach their children the way of Christ, and of course as very common among women, not to gossip, as Paul also repeated about this bad addiction in his previous letters.
THE FAMILY
Titus 2.4-6Here Paul turned his attention to the family in Christ. A world "love" in these verses has mush more meaning and substance than the love used in the world. The Love of Christ, for Christ, and in Christ is pure Spiritual unconditional Love. In true Christian family there is no jealousy or disagreements concerning anything, but driven by pure love of Christ, all members of the family know their responsibilities, duties, and obligations, because everything in the family is done in Christ. A family in Christ is unbreakable.
It is not shame for a wife to be a subject to her husband, because this is how GOD structured the order of things and the hierarchy of social order not only in the family, in the world of mankind, but also and in Heaven. GOD Father is the Head of Christ, the Christ is the Head of us - the church, and in the family the husband is the head of wife, and the husband and wife are the heads of their children (Ephesians 5.21-33) (Titus 2.3-5) (Colossians 3.18-19) (1Peter 3.1-7). Whoever do not follow this order of things will not be recognized by Christ, because the world and the unit of family without Christ are dysfunctional group of people and destined to doom.
GOOD DEEDS
Titus 2.7-8.14
And of course, Paul never misses to mention and Good Deeds. In verse 7 Paul urges us to be an example of Good Deeds. Indeed, what kind of Christian anyone can be if he or she has no Good Deeds? Christ dedicated most of His efforts, time, and life to Good Deeds, to show people the power of GOD, His mercy, His compassion, His love, and His salvation in Good Deeds of His Son. People learned very quickly seeing Christ's Good Deeds and praised, glorified, and believe in One Who does not forsake them but still remember them and care for them.
Without Good Deeds it is impossible to please the Lord, just like impossible to please any person on Earth by the words that never fulfilled, by the promises that never utilized, by oaths that never came true.
For this reason, Jesus performed Good Deeds and sent also His Apostles to do the same, to do the Good Deeds among people, in order to convince people that the GOD is still active, He still care, He still love, and He still saves people not only by physical means, but also and Spiritually. GOD redeem us not only from the sins but also "from every lawless deed," (14) so, our deeds must be only the Good Deeds in the Name of Christ, in order to prove our Faith in Him to anyone who questions our faith and our Lord, because our Lord is the Lord of Good Deeds.
GOD purify people for Himself for His Own possession. What people? The people who follow Him and do that He does, means the Good Deeds in His Name. People who are "zealous for Good Deeds." (14).
~ Good Works: (Nehemiah 2.18) (Matthew 5.16, 12.12) (Luke 6.35) (John 5.29, 10.32) (Acts 9.36, 10.38) (Romans 2.7.10) (2Corinthians 9.8) (Galatians 6.9-10) (Ephesians 2.10, 6.7-8) (Philippians 1.6) (Colossians 1.10) (2Thessalonians 2.17, 3.7-13) (1Timothy 2.9-10, 5.9-10.25, 6.18) (2Timothy 2.21, 3.16-17) (Titus 1.16, 2.7.14, 3.1.5.8.14) (Hebrews 10.24, 13.16.21) (James 1.22-25, 2.14-26, 3.13, 4.17) (1Peter 2.12, 3.6.11.17).
~ Works of Faith: (1Thessalonians 1.3.5) (2Thessalonians 1.11) (James 2.14-26)
THE MASTERS AND SLAVES
~ Works of Faith: (1Thessalonians 1.3.5) (2Thessalonians 1.11) (James 2.14-26)
THE MASTERS AND SLAVES
Titus 2.9-10
Paul also paid enough attention to the slaves and their masters. Just like a family in Christ, a family in which everybody live in union of mutual respect, understanding, agreement, and peace, and so the same relationship must be between masters and their slaves. We must remember that slavery occurs for many different reasons and was a legitimate part and a lawful layer of all societies of Earth.
In Israel, GOD forbid a Jew to have another Jew as a slave, but if a Jew became slave to another Jew for some reason, he or she must be redeemed by family, by relatives, or anyone else no matter who he or she is. A Jew must treat a slave Jew not like the ordinary slave but as a part of the family. Also, no Jew should become slave to any foreigner who lives in Israel, he or she must be redeem.
But a Jew can have Gentile as a slave, or Gentile can be a slave to another Gentile who lives in Israel, no redemption is required. GOD created special rules and regulations concerning slaves in Israel, which is the most humane and the kindest treatment of slaves in the world. So, Paul urged Titus to pay some attention and to this important issue, in order to establish understanding and peace between master and slave that must in Christ, and not according to the rules of the world.