CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
Titus 2:4. That they may teach.—R.V. “may train.” The word almost suggests that there was a certain amount of levity amongst the younger wives inconsistent with a profession of Christianity.
Titus 2:5. Keepers at home R.V. “workers at home.” The term in the R.V. comprehends and adds to that in the A.V.
Titus 2:7. Showing thyself a pattern.—Titus was not to be like the scribes and Pharisees of whom our Lord spoke, who say what others should do and do not themselves observe it. In doctrine … uncorruptness.—As befits the doctrine of God our Saviour. There must be no admixture of error. Gravity.—See the adjective corresponding in Titus 2:2 and note.
Titus 2:8. May be ashamed.—“That possibly he may come to feel shame.”
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Titus 2:4-8
Christianity and the Young.
I. Christianity has a message to young married women (Titus 2:4-5).—They are to be discreet and self-restrained in their behaviour; to love their husbands and children, the foundation of all domestic peace and happiness; to be keepers at home, the guardians of the house, and to find their sphere of highest usefulness in the duties of the home circle: whilst thrifty as housewives, they are to be good and kind, not churlish and niggardly; to show love to their own husbands by a dutiful submission; and thus guard the gospel from the reproach which their inconsistencies would occasion. “Unless we are virtuous, blasphemy will come through us to the faith.” To fail in any duty is to discredit the religion we profess.
II. Christianity has a message to young men (Titus 2:6).—The burden of that message is to be sober-minded, self-restrained. Youth is tempted to excess, and it is no easy task to repress its wild impulses and passions. The youth-time that is spent in pleasure and folly will lay the foundation of a premature and suffering old age. Beza, the Swiss reformer, in his last will and testament thanks God that he was brought to know Him at the age of sixteen, and thus, by having the fear of God before him, escaped the pollutions of the world. We talk about a man beginning life at twenty one, but in nine cases out of ten all the questions of eternity are decided before that. The first twenty years of a man’s life, as a rule, mould what his eternity will be.
III. Christianity has a message to young ministers (Titus 2:7-8).—They are to be patterns of good works—lively, diligent, zealous. Their purity and sincerity of motive and aim must be apparent in their teaching; and their speech in public and private must be pervaded by a dignified seriousness, that the adversary of the truth may be put to confusion by the power of the word and the evident sincerity and enthusiasm of the preacher. All the freshness, charm, and romance of youth, its poetry, high-spiritedness, and unlimited capacity for work, should be put into every ministerial duty. Youth is a golden opportunity with which we can buy a rich inheritance of future blessedness and joy. The young minister will never again have the vigour and possibilities of work he possesses to-day.
Lessons.—
1. Religion does not destroy but augments the pleasures of youth.
2. Religion is the guide and guardian of youth.
3. We are never too young to love and serve God.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
Titus 2:6. Sober-mindedness.
I. Sober-mindedness is a just judgment of things, and this judgment exercised in real effective authority.
II. Must be consciously held as under the sanction and as having the authority of the Supreme Power.
III. Cannot be attained without the person’s forming a sound judgment of his own mind.
IV. Must maintain a systematic strong restraint on the passions, fancy, tempers, appetites.
V. Is quite necessary for the subordinate schemes and purposes of life.—J. Foster.
Titus 2:7-8. The Power of Truth.
I. The power of truth in the preacher.—
1. His teaching will be living and real.
2. Will so preach the truth as to convince others of his sincerity.
II. The power of truth on others.—
1. Will silence criticism.
2. Put opposition to shame and confusion.—F. W.