Christian Qualities || Titus 2:2 || Weekend Wind-Down #19

Welcome to the nineteenth week of “Weekend Wind-Down.” This series is where we take the verse of the day, look at the face value interpretation, check the background and context of the verse, do a deeper dive on the focus scripture, and figure out what we can walk away with. 

Today’s verse is Titus 2:2, which says this: 

2 – Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. 

Face Value

We must have self-control, respect, wisdom, faith, love, and patience.

Background

Paul wrote this to Titus to advise him in supervising the churches on the island of Crete. Paul wants order and godly living on an island where laziness, gluttony, evil, and lying reside. Christians are to be self-disciplined and orderly. Although others may not appreciate that, we must live upright lives, obey the government, and control our speech. We must live together peacefully in church and communities. 

Take-Home Point

Christian living requires all these traits, regardless of whether we like it. 

What does it mean to “exercise self-control?”

It means not giving in to temptations. It means not going out of our way to please our earthly desires. It means recognizing what is and isn’t from God and submitting the thoughts and desires that aren’t to God. We must restrain ourselves no matter how pleasurable the act is, how stressed we are, or how fun the act is. Control your thoughts, urges, and desires, which can be learned and strengthened with God. 

What does it mean to “be worthy of respect?”

It means to be a good person. Do good things for the world. Say good things to other people. Treat others well. It’s taking care of God’s creation in the same way that God takes care of us. The Greek word “semnos” means honorable, serious, and dignified. Paul only uses this word three other times: twice to Timothy and once in his letter to the Philippians. In the Philippians passage, Paul tells his audience to keep their thoughts focused on what’s true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Phil 4:8). In his first letter to Timothy, he talks about how the deacons of the church must be well respected and have integrity (1 Tim 3:8) and that these men must respect their wives (1 Tim 3:11). We are called to this standard as followers of God. Not only to act like this but also to think this way. We should act in ways that would honor and respect God, which would lead us to treat God’s creation with the deserved respect. To take it a step further, we should think our thoughts in this same pattern, in ways that honor God.

What does it mean to “live wisely?” 

Some translations would label this as being temperate or sober-minded. Paul calls it the Greek Word “néphalios,” defined as sober. Paul uses this word two other times, both in 1 Timothy 3. He calls this a positive standard for church leaders. Typically, this word refers to abstaining from any form of alcohol. Yet the HELPS Word-studies explain this word as free from negative influences, clear-minded, and free from life-dominating influences. With all this in mind, we shouldn’t substitute earthly things for God and his provision. It’s living by the principles and teachings of God solely. We should be free from the teachings of the world, regardless of how good or pure they are. God doesn’t call us to live as the world lives but to live as how he wants us to live. 

What does it mean to have “sound faith?”

My definition of faith always comes from Hebrews 11:1: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” It’s believing in a future that we aren’t sure of. It’s believing in things we hope to happen but aren’t sure they will. It’s believing that God’s goodness will prevail in the future regardless of my circumstances today. That’s how I view faith, yet what does sound mean? 

Sound is the Greek word “hugiainó,” which means to be healthy, in good working order, and free from debilitation. It’s having a belief that doesn’t have holes in its logic.

Putting both of these together it’s holding on to your faith and not letting it waver regardless of your circumstances. It’s keeping a strong and healthy belief about your faith even amid the stormy waters we travel. 

What does it mean to be “filled with love and patience?”

Some translations use the word “sound” in this instance, which I prefer, so we’ll view the next portion as keeping a healthy perspective and mindset on love and patience. 

Love is the Greek word “agape,” often used from the perspective of God’s love for his children. It’s love in the moral and divine sense. It’s the willingness, the choice, and the preference to love others as God loves us intentionally. Maintaining the healthy boundaries that come with God’s love as we share it. 

Translations vary on the word “patience.” Some translations use endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness. Paul uses the Greek word “hupomoné,” which means remaining under God’s challenges in life. I’ve heard it translated to mean suffering for the sake of someone else. It’s allowing yourself to remain under the hardships of life with a healthy lifestyle.

Thank you for joining me for this Weekend Wind-Down as we explored the qualities we need to have as Christians based on the teachings from Titus. Stay tuned for the next reflection. Let me close out with prayer. 

Dear God, thank you for helping shape us into the Christians you want us to be. Please help us bring all these things close to our hearts and learn how to take them into our lives every day. It’s in your name; we pray. Amen.