Titus - Double Grip

How do we balance the powerful secular influences constantly battering our minds, with our spiritual calling? Paul encourages Titus, a partner to get a good grip on himself and the message.

 Timeline of the New Testament

 Snapshot

  • Objectives
  • Introduction
  • Salutation
  • Rouse the Responsible
  • Reprove the Reactive
  • Reject the Rebels
  • Discussion

Objectives

  • To understand the relationship between faith and godliness
  • To learn principles of Church leadership
  • To apply godliness to various roles
  • To live a life of faith and knowledge of the word coupled with godliness

Theme Verse 

Titus 1:8,9 He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.

Introduction

  • Paul highlights the balance of “godliness” and “good deeds” with “grace” and “faith”.
  • Titus was one of Paul’s closest fellow workers who, like Timothy was dispatched by Paul to alleviate threats and strengthen various churches.
  • Titus was a non-circumcised Gentile (Gal 2:3). He accompanied Paul to the Jerusalem council.

Advice to leaders

  • knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, Titus 1:1 –Paul’s Salutation
  •  For the overseer must be above reproach holding fast the faithful word Titus 1:7,9 – Leader/overseer
  • teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain…. by their deeds they deny Him,  Titus 1:11,16 – Rebel

Advice to leaders

  • bringing salvation to all men…to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11,14 – Jesus
  •  in all things show yourself to be an example of good deedswith  purity in doctrine, Titus 2:7 – Titus

Advice to all believers

  • I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds Titus 3:8,9 – All believers
  • 14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful… Greet those who love us in the faith. Titus 3:14,15 – All believers

Salutation

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior

Titus 1:1-3 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life which God.. manifested, even His word..

Good deeds do not result in salvation, they result from salvation

Rouse the Responsible

Paul’s common advice includes  engaging in good deeds, sound words, pure doctrine, dignity, etc. He provides specific advice to:

  • Leaders
  • Older men
  • Older women
  • Younger women
  • Young men
  • Employees

Older Men

Titus 2:Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

Leaders

Titus 1:6 if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gainbut hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Older Women

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children Ch 3

Younger Women

young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Ch 2

Young men

Titus 2:6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

Employees

Titus 2:9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not [e]argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Double Grip Reprove the Reactive

  • Titus 1: 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in  the faith,
  • Titus 2:15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Reject the Rebels

  • Dishonest Gain
  • Deception by Deviation
  • Denial by deeds
  • Defiance by disputes

Reject the Rebels Dishonest Gain

Titus 2:10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.

Reject the Rebels Deception by Deviation

Titus 2:14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 

Reject the Rebels Denial by Deeds

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Reject the Rebels Defiance by Disputes

Titus 3:But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Titus 3:10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Recap – Theme Verse The Double Grip

Titus 1:8.9 He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.

Double Grip Recap

  • Engage in good deeds to have knowledge of the word
  • Rouse the responsible
    • Leaders – manage self, family
    • Older men –temperate, persevering
    • Older women – respectful, teaching, encouraging
    • Younger women – love, submission, work at home, pure
    • Young men – sensible
    • Slaves: go with flow, pleasing, honest, submissive
  • Reprove the reactive
  • Reject The rebels
    • Dishonest Gain
    • Deception by Deviation
    • Denial by deeds
    • Defiance by disputes

Good deeds are not an automatic result of salvation, they are a conscious engagement of a focused activity

Double Grip Discussion

1.Why do many people seek but not achieve godliness?

2.Why is knowledge of the word a result of godliness and not vice-versa?

3.What is Paul referring to by meaning good deeds – in various scenarios

4.What is the significance of the “double grip”. Share examples on how you can accomplish it?

Related Posts

Philemon The Avatar

One of the shortest letters, it remains one of the most powerful. From a deeper understanding it provides rich understanding on the development of a great leader. Introduction Paul’s Role: Perception of hidden value Priming into visible value Paying his debts and...

11 Timothy – Fearless Faithfulness

What is probably Paul’s last letter as he anticipates martyrdom, cold and deserted (except for faithful few) he is still victorious. He passes the torch on to faithful leaders.2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the...

1 Timothy – Fighting Fit

As we grow older, flab sets in. It is the same with the church. Paul tells Timothy to maintain spiritual discipline within himself and the church and be “fighting fit”. Introduction Spiritual Fitness: Cleared Conscience Spiritual Flab: Smeared Conscience Shipwrecked...

11 Thessalonians – Confident Hope

What are the signs of end times? While the wicked seem to be choking all the goodness in the world, the majestic coming of Christ and victory over the most powerful evil forces is described.May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his...

1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope

The beauty of the gospel is that it cascades with viral effect; particularly when the message lives through the lives of the teachers. Paul’s message and model to the Thessalonians spreads through them to believers in Macedonia, Achaia and other places despite severe...

Colossians – Complete Maturity in Christ

God similarly wants us to develop from spiritual babes into complete maturity. Right doctrines, strong foundations, good leadership are key facets of maturity.Colossians 1:28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may...

Philippians The Mind of Christ

Paul encourages the Philippians and guides us to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”. A mind that is humble, harmonious, joyful, peaceful, etc.  Snapshot Introduction The Mind of Christ Humble Focussed Harmonious Joyful Peaceful Discussion Introduction Paul wrote...

Ephesians – Pushing Limits

God is pushing limits in order to bless us and empowering us to push limits to maximize on receiving the blessings. The Ephesians had to maintain fruitful lives in the midst of persecution. Introduction Glorious Destiny Perfect Harmony Boundless Capacity Stand...

Galations – No longer I

We hear it, we know it, we sing it, we say it. But do we really live it? The moment we bury our old nature, it pops up again. Paul gives us checkpoints to remind us what drives our new life.I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ...

2 Corinthians – Jars of Clay

Paul shares his struggles with his physical ailments and victories through God’s overcoming grace. He also contrasts his weaknesses with the transcendent power of Christ within.2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing...

I Corinthians – Heaven’s Gold

People fight for it. Live for it. Die for it. The quest for gold never ceases. Yet how many enjoy it? For how long? Paul introduces how to invest and remain invested in eternal treasures. Introduction Investors Detractors Destroyers Man’s Responsibility God’s...

Romans Life Transformation Journey

Paul, in this letter lays the foundation of key theological concepts for the emerging global church.He answers questions such as why believe, predestination, suffering, discipline, grace, etc.Snapshot   Summary Slaves to sin Saved by grace Sacrifice for...