Saturday after Oculi
Posted on March 13, 2021 by under
Scripture: Titus 2:1-10 (NKJV)
2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Devotion
St. Paul’s words to Titus conclude, “…that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” With these words we see that St. Paul is concerned about a believer’s faith and life.
“The doctrine of God our Savior” is clearly the message that the Triune God has atoned for our sins in the person of His Son, and is working to save us through faith in the preaching of the Gospel promise. There is great concern that the ministers preach the correct teaching, centered in justification by grace through faith, and not preaching a perverted teaching. The word “sound” is used as an adjective in three places: “sound doctrine,” “sound in faith,” and “sound speech.” That which is “sound” is whole and rightly ordered. When a boat is described as sound, there are no holes in the hull. The correct doctrine of God is ordered by the central article of justification.
In today’s directions for older men, older women, young women, young men, and bondservants, St. Paul is concerned for the vocation of these Christians. After St. Titus has delivered this sound message of salvation, those who hear it are to trust in it for salvation and lead Christian lives in keeping with that sound doctrine. In this way their Christian life “may adorn the doctrine.” Or to say it negatively, “the word of God may not be blasphemed,” but they should live a life of “good fidelity” to the doctrine of God our Savior.
Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
