Titus 2:11-15

Titus 2:11-15

After giving highly practical advice in verses 1-10, Paul gives us the foundational picture for our behavior. Our behavior and character matter because these reflect who Christ is and who we are in Christ. God's grace in the person of Jesus Christ has “appeared.” The word here is the root for epiphany, and it means literally “to shine light upon”. It is the discovery or the revealing of the grace that saves us.

The life of Christ teaches us five things. Teaching here assumes learning from the very beginning, with no prior knowledge required. In other words, anyone can understand this. There are two negative and three positive points to learn. Negatively, we deny or repudiate ungodliness, which means a lack of respect for that which is divine. And we repudiate worldly desires or worldly-focused passions. In the development of character, we begin by rejecting the casual attitudes about things that are divine or holy, such as God. Taking God seriously is foundational, and in so doing, we do not take seriously the passions of the world.

Next we see three positives in our character development. We are called to live sensibly, righteously, and godly. These three traits reflect how we live toward ourselves, others, and God. The word “sensibly” can be translated “discretely” and means ‘with a sound mind of who we are in Christ.’ At its root, “righteous living” means to ‘live just or fairly’; it is a life that is upright toward others. Third, in relation to God, we are to be ‘pious’ or ‘respectful,’ to take God and the things of God as meaningful and serious. It is to fear God.

Never doubt that such a life is difficult and demanding, but we have a strong motivation and great power for such living. First we look for the coming of Christ, who will finally set all things right. If “for this life alone” we believe, it isn't worth it. Second, we have the power to live lives of godly character because Christ has redeemed or paid a ransom price for us to get us out of a life of lawlessness. He not only rescued us from a lawless life but also purified us, literally the removal of all undesirable elements. He took out the mixed-in alloy that corrupts. The result is that as His remade people, we are no longer passionate for the rotten things of the world but rather are passionate or zealous to do good deeds. This is what the church is to be about. Paul concludes by calling on Titus to tell and retell this to the church and to allow no one to distrust him. 

“Lord, help me live up to the holy life of Christ. AMEN”