Thursday, September 25, 2014

Titus 2: Priorities

In his letters, Paul is often concerned with the reputation of the early church.  Will the followers of Jesus Christ be known abroad for their gentleness and love - or for upsetting the social order and causing chaos?

Both pictures of the Church were emerging in the first century.  In Acts 17:6, the disciples are accused of "turning the world upside down."  Riots and mob scenes seem to follow Paul wherever he travels.  Certainly the civil authorities would not be patient with a movement that was inspiring such uprisings!

On the other hand, Paul knew the most important goal of the Christian life is Christlikeness.  Though there is indeed an explosive quality to the teachings of Jesus, Paul urges Titus and others to apply the demands of the faith first to themselves individually rather than socially.

For instance, Paul encourages the teaching of young women to be "submissive to their husbands" (vs. 5)  Why?  "So that the word of God may not be discredited."

Similarly, in urging young men to live responsible and holy lives, Paul adds, "Then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us" (vs. 8).

Even slaves are told to be submissive so that they "may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior" (vs. 10).

Over the centuries, Christianity has successfully seen the working out of its teachings in equality among the races and between the genders.  We have witnessed the repudiation of slavery as antithetical to the Gospel.

Yet as important as these things are (and they are!), Paul knew that emphasizing them in the first century Roman Empire would be putting the cart before the horse.  Before Christianity could ever hope to influence society, it first had to be securely planted.  And, for that, the early Christians had to focus on their own character and practice humility and submission so as to be a witness to the world.  That was their priority.

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