IN ALL THINGS
SHOW YOURSELF TO BE AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD DEEDS: peri panta seauton parechomenos (PMPMSN) tupon kalon ergon: (Acts 20:33-35;
2Th 3:9;
1Ti 4:12;
1Pet 5:3)
and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct" (Weymouth)
Show
(3930)
(paraecho from pará = near + écho
= have, hold) literally means to hold near, or to hold alongside
and so to exhibit or show
Paraecho is in the
present tense
which calls
for Titus to make this the habit of his life, his lifestyle. The
middle voice
is reflexive and calls for Titus to
initiate the action (of continually showing himself an example) and participate in the effects.
It is notable that in here Paul
didn't say "tell them" but "show them". Paul wrote more about Titus the example than he did about Titus the
exhorter! Titus was himself to be what he wished others to be.
Titus was to confront them not only with spiritual
words but with a spiritual life in keeping
with those words. Beloved does what you say (show) by your life validate
what you say (preach) with your lips? Even
our most forceful and compelling arguments will fall on deaf ears if our
lives fail to back up what comes out of our lips.
A pastor preaches best by his life. He must constantly be a
good example in all things. Whatever the pastor wants his church to be,
he must first be himself. Little wonder that our Lord was especially
critical of the hypocritical lives of the Pharisees declaring “they
say and do not”! (Mt 23:3)
Spurgeon comments that...
Titus was himself a young man; he
must, therefore, be a pattern to young men; and as a pastor or
evangelist he must be a pattern to all sorts of men.
It is a pity when truth suffers at
the hand of its own advocate; and perhaps the very worst wounds that
truth has received have been in the house of its friends. You must be
careful, therefore, “that he that is of the contrary part may be
ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Example
(5179)(tupos)
(Click
word study on
tupos) literally refers to
the visible mark or impression left by the strokes or blows of an instrument
such as a pen, a sword, or a hammer.
Tupos properly means
a model, pattern or mold into which clay or wax was pressed, that it
might take the figure or exact shape of the mold.
Tupos is an
impression representing anything produced by blows, an impression
that has a resemblance to something else, and then a model to
which some other person or thing should be (or would be) conformed
Type
is generally used to denote a resemblance between something present
and something future, which is called the "antitype." Over time
it came to mean the mark left in history or nature by the antitype.
Our English word type
is derived from tupos and originally referred to an
impression made by a die as that which is struck.
For example, Paul used this word
in his warning in his first epistle to the Corinthians, writing
Now
these things happened as examples (tupos) for us, that we
should not crave evil things, as they also craved....Now these things
happened to them as an example (tupos), and they were
written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
(1Cor 10:6,11)
In other words, the children of Israel and the facts of
their history are types or examples for believers today,
because we will be conformed to them if we do not exercise caution. Our
doom will correspond to theirs. Therefore, they stand as stern warnings
to us.
Thomas refused to believe that
Jesus was raised from the dead unless he saw
in His hands the imprint
(tupos) of the nails (Jn 20:25).
Tupos also came to be used to describe a pattern,
mold, model, or copy of an original, and referred to both physical
objects (like a statute) or to more subjective things such as the principles or virtues
of an individual.
Tupos refers then to a
pattern to be imitated or followed, an idea mentioned several times by
Paul, writing for example to the believers at Philippi to
join in following my
example
(tupos) (see note
Philippians 3:17).
Paul encouraged Timothy to
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech,
conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an
example
(tupos) of those who believe. (1Ti 4:12)
Peter addressing the spiritual shepherds warned them not to misuse their
authority
lording
it over those allotted to (their) charge,
but proving to be examples
(tupos)
to the flock. (see note
1 Peter 5:3)
If example does not follow
advice, the one giving it will be viewed rightly as a hypocrite,
and hypocrisy never promotes righteousness, no matter how sound and
biblical a person’s teaching and counsel may be. Others may be inclined
to accept the principles intellectually but will see no reason for
living by them, and will themselves, like their teacher, become
hypocrites.
Titus was to
live so that his life would be like a “spiritual die” (tupos
= impression made by a die) that would impress
itself on others, a process that involves good works, sound doctrine, a
dignified, decent attitude, and sound speech that not even the most
hostile
enemy could condemn. The speech of Titus and every spiritual leader should be
such that they stand without rebuke.
This principle is illustrated in the story of St. Francis who told one of his
young friars "Let us go down to the village and preach to the people."
As they went to the village, they stopped to talk to the men they
met along the way and begged for bread at several doors. Francis stopped to play with the
children, and exchanged a greeting with the passers-by. As they
turned to go home the stupefied apprentice said
But when do we preach?
Francis smiled and replied
Preach? Every step we took, every word we spoke, every action we did,
has been a sermon.
With perfect confidence, the apostle could exhort believers at Corinth
to
be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (1Co11:1).
Good
(2570)
(kalos)
(Click
word study on
kalos)
does not refer to that which is superficial or cosmetic but to what is
genuinely and inherently good, righteous, noble, and excellent.
Titus' deeds were to be true reflections of what he preached and taught.
The basic meaning of
kalos
is good with emphasis on that
which is beautiful, handsome, excellent, surpassing, precious,
commendable, admirable. Inherently excellent or intrinsically good:
providing some special or superior benefit. In classical usage,
kalos
was originally used as a descriptive of outward form, beautiful; of
usefulness, as a fair haven, a fair wind. Auspicious, as sacrifices.
Morally beautiful, noble; hence virtue is called to kalon . The New
Testament usage is similar. Outwardly fair, as the stones of the temple
(Lu 21:5); well adapted to its purpose, as salt (Mk 9:50); competent for
an office, as deacons (1Ti 4:6); a steward (note
1 Peter 4:10);
a soldier (note
2 Timothy 2:3);
expedient, wholesome (Mk 9:43, 45, 47); morally good, noble, as works (note
Matthew 5:16);
conscience (note
Hebrews 13:18).
The phrase it is good, i.e., a good or proper thing (note
Romans 14:21).
In the
Septuagint (LXX)
kalos
is the most commonly
used word for good as opposed to evil (Ge 2:17; 24:50; Isa 5:20).
Click in depth analysis of
Good
Deeds.
Illustration - Somerset Maugham, the British author, once wrote that
the only thing that makes life tolerable in this world is the beauty
that men create out of chaos. In “The Painted Veil,” he said that things
like painting, music, and literature make it possible to regard the
world we live in without disgust. “Of all these,” he declared, “the
richest in beauty is a life well lived. That is the perfect work of
art.” In Titus 2:7–8, the apostle Paul expresses a similar sentiment.
Only in this case, he says that a life well lived is the best defense of
the Christian faith. Actions do speak louder than words. To remind
yourself of the importance of being a living example of the gospel,
write “The best defense of the truth is a life well lived” on a card and
display it where you can see it throughout the day. Consider what your
conduct at home, at work, and in the neighborhood says to others about
your relationship with God. Remember that when it comes to being a
witness for Christ, your actions are as important as your words. (Today
in the Word)
WITH
PURITY IN DOCTRINE, DIGNIFIED: en te didaskalia aphtharsian semnoteta:
Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your
teaching (NLT)
When you teach, be honest and serious (ICB)
Let everything you do reflect your love of the truth and the fact that
you are in dead earnest about it (TLB)
by sincerity and earnestness, when you are teaching, and by a message
sound and irreproachable (NJB)
holy in your teaching, serious in behaviour (BBE)
in teaching uncorruptedness, gravity (Darby)
in your teaching show integrity, dignity, (ESV)
with integrity in your teaching, dignity (NAB)
teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity [having the strictest
regard for truth and purity of motive], with dignity and seriousness
(Amp)
Be sincere and serious in your
teaching (TEV)
having
in your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone (Weymouth)
The
modern
manuscripts (eg, Nestle-Aland) have aphthoria in
place of the Textus Receptus word, adiaphthoria (freedom
from corruptible mixtures)
Purity
(862)
(aphthartos
from a =
negative + phthartos = corruptible from phthora =
destruction, death, shipwreck from phtheiro = to corrupt,
destroy, spoil) means literally incorruptible and conveys the
idea of not being morally corrupt and vile. The root word phthartos in extra-biblical
literature was often used of morally depraved people such as rapists,
seducers, and abortionists. Aphthartos refers to the absence of
self-seeking and all perverse motives such as deceitfulness and guile.
Aphthartos strictly speaking is that which is not subject to
corruption and thus describes teaching that is free from error and
characterized by soundness and integrity
This verse is the only use of
aphthartos in the NT.
Although Paul does not use the
word aphthartos, the following verse conveys the same idea...
(contrasting the deceitfulness of the
false teachers with his own openness Paul writes) we have renounced the
things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or
adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
(2Cor 4:2)
Doctrine
(1319)
(didaskalia from didasko =
pictures the process of shaping the will of the one instructed and doing
so by word of mouth) (Click
word study of
didaskalia) means teaching or
instruction. In general didaskalia refers more to the act of teaching whereas the
related word didache refers to the substance of teaching.
Dignified
(4587) (semnotes from semnós = venerable)
refers to
decency, gravity, venerableness ( calling forth respect through age,
character, and attainments; conveying an impression of aged goodness and
benevolence), dignity and a seriousness that is fixed on God and honors
whatever honors Him.
Semnotes is used 3 times in the NT in the NASB: (1 Timothy
2x;
Titus)
Vine
correctly notes that semnotes
"is a necessary characteristic of the life and conduct of Christians"
The significance of the Greek word is that of gravity combined with
dignity, with freedom alike from moroseness and from levity. A life
which exhibits these qualities gives a consistent witness to the person
and name of Christ, and to the truth and validity of the gospel." (Vine,
W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament
Words. 1996. Nelson)
Semnotes could be
translated “moral earnestness” and refers to moral dignity and
holy behavior before men. It describes a serious and worthy conduct that
earns reverence and respect. It describes that behavior which is
befitting and implies a measure of dignity leading to respect.
Semnotes is
a manner or mode of behavior that
indicates one is above what is ordinary and therefore worthy of special
respect. Of human beings: dignity, seriousness, probity (Ed note:
adherence to the highest principles and ideal indicating uprightness of
character or action) (Arndt,
W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament and Other Early Christian Literature)
Strong/Thayer Lexicon describes semnotes as the
characteristic of a thing or person which entitles it to reverence and
respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity.
The exhortation to
be dignified enjoins a
realization of the dignity and solemnity attaching to the handling of
the Word of God. It includes the idea of living one's life so as to
invite, attract and inspire reverence, honor and respect, ultimately of
God and His glorious gospel. Jesus gives a
parallel thought exhorting believers to
Let (their) light shine before men in such a way that they may see
(their) good works, and glorify (their) Father Who is in heaven. (see
note
Matthew 5:16)
Semnotes implies that one should be able to distinguish between that which is important and
that which is trivial.
Paul
uses this word twice in his first letter to Timothy writing that we
should pray
for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may
lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity
(1Ti 2:2)
Paul writes that the elder
must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children
under control with all dignity (1Ti 3:4)
Aristotle defined semnótes as the average of
a virtue that lies between the extremes of arrogance on one hand and
attempting to please everyone on the other hand. Therefore, semnótes stands between caring to please nobody and
endeavoring at all costs to please everybody. It is the ability not only
to perform well one's duties as a citizen, but also to adhere to the
highest principles and ideals of earth and heaven, and thus drawing
respect and approval.
Semnotes describes the man who carries himself with the
perfect blend of dignity and courtesy, independence and humility to his
fellowmen. The word avoids the suggestion of sternness yet retains the
idea of natural respect.
Titus 2:7a Works Witness - The considerate spirit
and quiet good works of believers in Jesus Christ can make a tremendous
impact on those who do not believe in Him. A little kindness speaks
louder to some than fiery preaching.
A small congregation of believers in Japan put this principle into
practice. They were planning to build a sanctuary. After the architect
completed the plans, they went to all the neighbors, showed them the
blueprints, and asked if anyone had any objections. No one did.
A few months later, however, before construction began, they heard that
one man did have some concerns. They paid him a second visit and
discovered he was worried that the structure would block the sunlight
coming into his yard. Did they argue? No. Did they complain because he
didn't speak out earlier? No. The church board went back to the
architect and asked for a revision. At quite some additional expense, he
redesigned the building with a lower roof. The surprised neighbor was
pleased that he would not lose his sunlight.
In our hard-driving, rights-centered world, kind consideration toward
others seems out of place. But it's always appropriate for us as
Christians (Titus 2). And it can deliver a powerful witness. --D C
Egner (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
It is not always
words galore
Nor brilliancy of speech
That opens wide the gospel door
Within the sinner's reach. --Rotz
A Christian is a living sermon.
