001 Listening to the Lord
This week we consider the central portion of the Letter to Titus. We know from Acts and letters of the Apostle Paul that Titus was a trusted and dependable companion, often sent on missions. Scholars dispute whether this letter is something Paul himself wrote or if it was composed, as we might say, in honor of Paul as a way to show how organization of the Church was beginning to spread into places Paul himself never evangelized (such as the large island of Crete). It is also possible that Paul did something such as outline the letter and have a professional scribe write it out.
This dispute is all part of a much wider scholarly battle over how quickly the barely organized but growing “followers of Christ” movement in Judaism became “the Church” in a way quite recognizable to us today. In our lifetimes, the scholars arguing for an earlier, quicker shaping of the tradition have made significant progress. Earlier or later, it is Scripture to us and for us today. In the case of Titus, I believe the overall balance of proof favors Paul’s direct involvement, which means it was written before Paul’s death (about A.D. 64) a mere 30 years after the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord.
It also means that, with the people Titus is instructed to designate, we are seeing the first elements of a “third generation” of leadership being chosen: Christ designates the Apostles; Apostles designate some of their followers and co-workers such as Titus; and Titus designates leaders in new local communities of worshippers.
Here is the central portion of the letter. Titus would read portions from this to illustrate his authority, derived from the Apostle Paul, to teach and organize as he does.
From the Letter to Titus 2:1-3:11:
Chapter 2
1 As for yourself, you must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, 2 that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3 Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.
6 Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, 7 showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us.
9 Slaves are to be under the control of their masters in all respects, giving them satisfaction, not talking back to them 10 or stealing from them, but exhibiting complete good faith, so as to adorn the doctrine of God our savior in every way.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.
15 Say these things. Exhort and correct with all authority. Let no one look down on you.
Chapter 3
1 Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. 2 They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
he saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the holy Spirit,
6 whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
7 so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
8 This saying is trustworthy.
I want you to insist on these points, that those who have believed in God be careful to devote themselves to good works; these are excellent and beneficial to others. 9 Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and futile. 10 After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic, 11 realizing that such a person is perverted and sinful and stands self-condemned.
Questions to consider:
Compare and contrast what Paul reminds Titus to teach as exemplary behavior to different groups in the community. Which group are you in? Does the teaching apply? What things Paul writes likely send up red flags in our contemporary society? Do you have questions about them yourself?
Can you point to a clue that Titus is young? Might that influence some other lines in this part of the letter?
What do you think Paul means by the “lawlessness” Jesus saved us from?
In some translations, the phrase “bath of rebirth” reads “regeneration”. What is Paul talking about here?
If we are right that the letter was written while Paul was still alive, is it surprising to read the word “heretic” in the last sentence?
Are there additional questions you would like considered? Simply leave them below as a “response”. Check back in a day or two to see what others may be concerned about or how they reacted. I will post clarifications there, too, if needed.
Wrap-up next Monday. New page next Tuesday.
Further Reflection: God speaks to us in Scripture. Examples abound through all of the history of the Church. It is true in my own life. In your reading or thinking over of this passage, was there any portion of it that seemed particularly to speak to you? A sentence or perhaps just a phrase. Something that sparked a thought about some situation or some person or something you’ve been struggling with? Try reading it again with an open heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you some intimation if there is something you need to pick up or notice. Repeat this to yourself as you retire for the night. Check back in a day or two and read it over again. And listen.
Did you make yourself? Can you make yourself? Could you make yourself?
While you have been yourself for a long time, how much claim can you make about the authorship of you?
In seventh grade we ‘graphed’ sentences. Words, like numbers, were said to possess meaning beyond face value, and could be categorized. Nouns referred to persons places or things. A verb described an action. An adjective modified a noun, an adverb modified a verb. What about a predicate? “A predicate is the part of a sentence, or a clause, that tells what the subject is doing or what the subject is”.
A predicate informs though relation, rather than discrimination. A predicate hopes to bring forward a hint of the nature of noun in its action, it “puts wheels under” the subject in some way.
Consider our lives as sentences, with ‘as ________’ to be the adverb that describe ‘who we are”
Satan lives the life of an angel as _______________
Michael lives the life of an archangel as ___________
When first created, Adam lived the life of a human as __________
When first created, Eve lived the life of a human as ___________
After the Fall, Adam and Eve lived the lives of humans as _______
The descriptive words that we use to fill in the blanks matter.
Jesus lived the life of a human as____________
What Jesus brought into the world was the life of a human (while being God) as the perfect Son of God the Father
This is our model
To live the life of a human, as the son, as the daughter, of God the Father
Reread Titus Chapter 2: Paul is not focused on the ‘of’ but with the ‘as’ of our lives.
Did you make yourself? On what grounds could you
“15 Say these things. Exhort and correct with all authority. Let no one look down on you.”
Thanks to those of you who have read and considered. If you are not comfortable leaving a reply here, go ahead and email me. One “Listener” mentioned that Titus seems rather straightforward to understand, and, in its historical context, it is. However, after it was written, it became part of the permanent Revelation of God to his people the Church. So, a key question WE need to consider is this: HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH TODAY TEACH WHAT PAUL TELLS TITUS TO TEACH? Imagine a current Catholic pastor ordered to give clear instruction older men, older women, young women, young men? What must he say in our day and time, that is inspired by Paul’s words? How should he “Say these things” and what kind of response might he receive?
Jim
Received via email:
Older men, as described, reminds me of Jesus! Older women, gotta be like Mary !
Young men and women, don’t know how to get the message across, seems we have to make all the mistakes to learn, For me anyway, had to learn the hard way!!
Modern response from some , CAN’T BE MOTHER TERESA!
Sorry I know there is a lot of sarcasm here. I feel like the harder I try, the more I fail. Or more aware of how far I have to go.
Anonymous
?? clue that Titus is young. 30 years after the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord??
Also, speaking to younger men, show yourself as a model of good deeds. I think!
Influence why he said, “exhort and correct with authority, let no one look down on you.”
Lawlessness Jesus saved us from? the “crucifixion” for our sins?
Bath of rebirth = Baptism