Sound Christian Living – Part 2 – Titus 2:4-5

Titus verse by verse: Exhortations to the young ladies in the assembly.

This chapter: The Apostle emphasizes the things that “become sound doctrine”, that is, the life and practice that is to accompany sound doctrine. “Christianity is primarily indeed, a doctrine, but only that it may be in the true sense a life; and the two can never be kept apart from each other in the public teaching of the church without imminent peril to both.” (Fairbairn)

The Apostle brings a challenge to each group within the church concerning their Christian duties.

This lesson: Exhortations to the younger women

Her Mindset (Vs. 4a)

1. ‘sober’ = circumspect. Also translated ‘vigilant’ in 1 Tim. 3:2.
2. It refers to sober mindedness and spiritual and moral vigilance in all areas of one’s life. (Cloud)
3. Note: A prominent theme in this chapter – S. Vs. 2, 4, 6, & 12
4. “It refers to a woman who is not caught up, for example, in worshipping Hollywood and pop stars. It refers to a woman who is not giddy after the sensual products of the fashion industry.” (Cloud)

Her Family (4b)

Husband

1. She loves Him (4)
   1. She loves him unconditionally (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
   2. She loves him physically (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
      1. “love their husbands” = Greek word is ◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻
      2. Husbands are commanded to ◻◻◻◻◻◻ their wives (Eph. 5:25)
      3. The word ‘love’ in Ephesians 5:25 express an intellectual attachment of choice and selection. It carries the idea of esteem, respect and reverence. It is the love of choice and commitment. (Trench)
      4. The word ‘love’ in this passage (Titus 2:4) refers to a relation that is more emotional and that implies more passionate warmth of affection. (Trench)
2. She obeys Him (5)
   1. Ephesians 5:22-24 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
   2. 1 Cor. 11:3 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
   3. Application to singles: Develop a biblical mindset on these matters before entering into marriage.

Children

1. She loves them
2. The last days are marked by an absence of “natural affection” (2 Tim. 3:3)
3. She views her children as blessings from God – Psalm 127:3-5 “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”
4. She loves them enough to discipline and train them (refer Proverbs)

Her Character (Vs. 5a)

Discreet

1. ‘discreet’ = comes from same root word as ‘sober’ in Vs. 4. “The Holy Spirit is thus emphasizing to the women the importance of sober mindedness, of spiritual and moral vigilance. The woman must be discreet by what she allows herself to think about; by what she reads; by what she watches; by the conversations she has.” (Cloud)
2. ‘discreet’ = The literal sense is, separate, reserved, wary, hence discerning. It means prudent; wise in avoiding errors or evil, and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; circumspect; cautious, wary; not rash. Gen. 41:33 “Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.” (Websters 1828)

Chaste

1. ‘chaste’ = clean, innocent, modest (Strongs). It comes from the same root word as ‘holy’. The word is translated elsewhere as ‘pure’ (Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 5:22)
2. The word refers to moral purity, a purity that is possessed inwardly and expressed outwardly in one’s actions and adornment.
3. 1 Tim. 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
4. 1 Peter 3:3-4 “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
5. Note: Ladies have a profound influence on the moral atmosphere around them either for good or evil by virtue of their natural beauty. Natural beauty without godliness is of no value. Prov. 11:22 “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.”

Good

describes the woman’s life overall. Contains the idea of kindness.

Her Role (5b)

1. Home maker
   1. “keepers at home” = working at home, caring for the house, domestically inclined (Strongs).
   2. Comes from two Greek words, ‘oikos’ (house) and ‘ouros’ (to guard)
   3. Implies both domestic and spiritual care of the home
   4. 1 Timothy 5:14 “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”
   5. Note: “guide the house” = literally means “a house despot or lord”. She manages the home.
2. The danger of feminism, the working woman and the reversal of roles in the 21^st century

Her Motivation (5c)

1. The honour of God and His Word – “that the word of God be not blasphemed”
2. Her godly life is a good witness and testimony of the truth of the Gospel

Conclusion

1. Do you have a Biblical mindset as a Christian woman or have you imbibed the 21^st century, feministic philosophy of womanhood?
2. Challenge: Christian ladies need to view their role of being wives, mothers and home keepers as a high calling.
3. Older ladies: What sort of example are you setting for the next generation? Have you embraced the ministry of mentoring the younger ladies?

Sermon 5 of 9 in Titus Series

Sermon Audio Id: 72317657203