Does God have a purpose for the salvation that Jesus Christ accomplished for the church and society? Indeed, He has! And reading the letter from the apostle Paul to Titus will help you understand part of this plan.
Paul departed from Titus in Crete, Greece, allowing him to organize the remnants and designate leaders in each community. Paul describes the format of that order in his epistle to Titus. He begins by outlining rules for church members. Then he gives advice to men and women on how to be godly in [weddings], family life, and as slaves—those who must submit to a master.
God’s salvation plan
Paul explains God’s plan for delivering redemption in Jesus in chapter 2:
“For the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works, has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-14).
When we read Paul’s epistle to Titus in its entirety, we can observe how he bases his instructions for the so-called saints in the churches on these four verses:
Instructions for people inside the church (Titus 1:6-15):
- The elders must be above reproach, the husband of a single wife, and their offspring must be devout Christians who are impervious to accusations of insubordination or debauchery.
- Additionally, an overseer needs to be beyond reproach. Instead of being haughty, angry, quick-tempered, violent, or avaricious, he should be kind, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. In order to train others in correct doctrine and to chastise those who dispute it, he must steadfastly adhere to the [reliable word] as taught.
Instructions for believers in society:
- According to Titus 2:2, older men should be dignified, self-controlled, sober-minded, and strong in their faith, love, and steadfastness.
- Elderly women should also behave with reverence; they shouldn’t be gossips or drinkers all the time. Titus 2:3 says that they are to instruct the young women by teaching them what is good.
- In order to prevent the word of God from being despised, younger women must be taught to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, to labor at home, to be gentle, and to submit to their own husbands (Titus 2:4-5).
- The younger males need to exercise restraint. Titus himself must serve as an example of virtue (Titus 2:8).
- According to Titus 2:9–10, slaves are to be obedient to their owners in every way; they are to be kind, not combative, not thieving, but acting in good faith.
Titus 2:10 explains the rationale behind Paul’s instructions: “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”
The core message of the letter to Titus
So what does the epistle to Titus teach us as a fundamental principle? Grace has manifested to all people (Christ paid the price for and achieved our [eternal salvation] via His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead), enabling God’s children to obey His Word’s precepts both inside and outside of the church. God’s Name will be exalted and respected.
Christian, show bravery, humble yourself before God, show kindness to others, and exalt your heavenly Father!
