MERITED INSTRUCTION ROSS SMITH 030518
ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED
Education comes in several forms, there is the learning process, there is the delivery process, there is the testing process and then the implementation. However, when the Apostle Paul wrote to Titus his “education curriculum” was quite extensive. See what it says and what it consists of: –
Titus 2:8 And let your INSTRUCTION be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us.
Paul has said nothing of the content here, obviously, he assumes that Titus has done the course, read the books, passed the exams, qualified to pass on the information to those for whom he is responsible, but now needs to ensure his presentation is flawless, as well as his doctrine. (See verse 1)
“Instruction” is defined as “telling how something should be done, operated or assembled”. It consists of detailed information. But Paul has broadened the scope considerably, ignoring the subject matter and concentrating on the object matter. He has already alerted Titus to the subject matter in the first verse of this chapter.
Titus 2:1 BUT [AS FOR] YOU, TEACH what is FITTING AND BECOMING to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the character and right living that identify true Christians].
Firstly, Titus is singled out here, for there has been some clear identification of those who would teach inappropriate material in chapter 1:10-16 and the Apostle is scathing in calling out these charlatans. That is why he now addresses Titus so directly, “BUT AS FOR YOU”. This indicates a required transition by the contrast between the false teachers in the churches, who, although they professed to know God, denied Him by their unholy living and were therefore “detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.”
Notice there are seven (7) distinct areas or descriptions for Titus’ concentration, each of which has its own particular emphasis, and I would suggest this instruction applies not just to Titus, but today’s pulpit instruction, it also involves Bible study, and down to those times we get together and speak about the Lord as adjured in Malachi 3:16.
There must have been a good reason for Paul to be so precise as to the arrangement of “Instruction”, and as we are aware the Apostle was well practised in the art, so was eminently qualified to mentor Titus. Look at each area with its own peculiarities.
- Sound
- Fit
- Wise
- Wholesome
- Vigorous
- Irrefutable
- Above censure
SOUND This word has nothing to do with decibels, despite the widespread use today of “auditory assault” by sound systems in churches that eliminate the need for white ant treatment and have a tendency to anaesthetise us so that we are unable to hear that “still small voice”. “SOUND” generally means, free from injury, damage, defect, disease, etc.; in good condition; healthy; robust, competent, sensible, or valid.
This demands careful preparation of the material the teacher intends to use, much like the directions in 2 Timothy 2:15, where Paul again has outlined the precision required, the depth of research necessary and concludes the verse with “SKILLFULLY TEACHING”. If Paul had not been an apostle he would have made a great headmaster!
SOUND is a translation of the verb “hugiaino”, (G5199) which has the basic meaning of “being well and healthy” and is the term from which we derive our term, “hygiene.” This is not just washing of hands, Pilate found this out to his discredit, but hygiene is also concerned with infection control, and that is why we were warned that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump”, (Galatians 5:9) the infection spreads.
FIT “FIT” means, “of a suitable quality, standard or type, to meet the required purpose, adapted to an end or design”, and in Titus case, he had wide experience in dealing with various church matters in different places and no doubt had, or was learning to “adapt”. Titus was sent three times to Corinth on special embassies during the troubles of that distracted church. He also was involved to establish the right ordering of the churches in Crete, which may have owed their foundation to the Cretan Jews, so his delivery needed to be in a manner “fit for purpose”. “FIT” ministry may be interpreted as to make us fit for the slot intended for our service.
Philemon 1:8 Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do,
WISE The general understanding of “wise” is someone who is astute or knowledgeable, who probably has undergone study at some recognised institution and has a piece of paper to prove how smart they are.
James was eloquent in identifying the characteristics of those who would claim to be wise. James 3: 17 clarifies the nature and character of a man who would assume the role of teaching in contrast to the “worldly wise” who is unlikely to contribute to the benefit and harmony and maturity of those to who he would choose to minister.
James 3:15 This [SUPERFICIAL] WISDOM is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
James 3:17 But THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
“Instruction” demonstrated by the character graphically described in verse 17 would be so much more effective as it is an evidence of Christ within, a deposition of celestial influence which cannot be denied as it is so different to the wisdom described in verse 15.
WHOLESOME What a broad compass this word covers, some would think that it simply means that instruction should be broad-based, covering all the areas of interest and even sometimes of controversy. But if we want or are content to make the congregation to be “comfortable” and not rock the boat, and to adopt the now infective organism promoting secularism, then this word doesn’t apply.
“WHOLESOME” is often used as an alternative to “HEALTHY”. Healthy things grow, but growth in itself must never be the aim, if it is, unhealthy things will still be permitted. God’s primary concern is always for spiritual health over numerical growth, because if health and all its true shoots emerge, then genuine growth occurs. Instruction needs to be about right living as well as the right doctrine, and recognised in reliable teachers/examples.
But the Apostle gets even more precise when he nominated how the Word of God should be handled, how “WHOLESOME” must be our attention to detail.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, CORRECTLY ANALYZING and ACCURATELY DIVIDING [RIGHTLY HANDLING and SKILLFULLY TEACHING] the Word of Truth.
We could well perceive Paul as an academic not just because of his superlative but misplaced fervour as a Pharisee, but by contemplating the extent, content and eloquence with which he recorded and recited New Testament truth and direction after his significant ocular event.
Although academically adept, he never was satisfied with “degrees” because he had learned to operate in “absolutes”. He had soared from the false philosophy of the Pharisee to the dizzy heights of enlightened liberty, initiated by the blinding experience of the road to Damascus.
VIGOROUS The next attribute, “VIGOROUS”, is one misinterpreted by many today as they assume “demonstrative” equates with “vigorous”. The only demonstration of consequence is that “life of contrast” described in Ephesians 5:11, not the physical expenditure of energy but the supernatural expression of integrity. Whenever we need to gain some insight into the intentions of scripture, one good test is to see if this concept we hold matches the life and character that Jesus displayed.
IF IT IS NOT GOD GLORIFYING, IT IS NOT ON.
“VIGOROUS” refers to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in explaining and describing the arena of God’s Word under review. It also often refers to discipline, where we are dealt with, either by the Word as a “fire and hammer” (Jeremiah 23:29) or even the “two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12) or even seemingly more mundane, by the descriptions Job uses.
Job 33:14-16 For God [does reveal His will; He] speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it [including you, Job]. [One may hear God’s voice] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed, then He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction [terrifying them with warnings],
Job 33:19 [GOD’S VOICE MAY BE HEARD by man when] he is chastened with pain upon his bed and with continual strife in his bones or while all his bones are firmly set,
Job 33:23-24 [GOD’S VOICE MAY BE HEARD] if there is for the hearer a messenger or an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him [how to be upright and in right standing with God], then [God] is gracious to him and says, Deliver him from going down into the pit [of destruction]; I have found a ransom (a price of redemption, an atonement)!
The expressions of Job indicate how “VIGOROUS” Father may get when He wants to redirect us, to chastise us, to save us, using dreams, or preachers and sometimes even a bed of pain. Father’s energy is always productive, often selective, and sometimes even predictive as described in His Word.
Paul has no apologies or accommodation for anything that will adulterate the proclamation of the truth, and no doubt Titus was well aware of the degree of enthusiasm that Paul applied during his Pharisaic incursions into the society in which he had been cultivated. That same fervour is now engendered in Titus and was to be a hallmark of his ministry.
IRREFUTABLE This is a very strong word, and one we could well do to take notice of and apply to our Christian profession. The dictionary describes it in these terms, “impossible to deny or disprove; incontrovertible” which means that we are so well researched and inspired and prepared and “thoroughly furnished (2 Timothy 2:13) that no one will be able to take issue with the integrity of our instruction.
Unfortunately, the standards have slipped so far since Paul uttered these words, but now we are confronted with the same instruction, the Word of God has never changed and so we are obligated to ensure the integrity and purity of our interpretation and presentation of scripture.
This is just one more good reason why Bible Study is critically important, there is that opportunity to have our studies and concepts thoroughly scrutinized by others so that our communication with those not well acquainted with the Scriptures can be “IRREFUTABLE”.
In Acts 17 Paul and Silas took off to Beroea, sent away by the church due to the opposition they faced, sent to a group of Christians whose chief past time was “searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Their task would have been quite simple with the Apostle Paul’s contributions and no doubt, with Silas, for Pauls teaching was certainly “IRREFUTABLE” and their studies would serve only to confirm that absolute authenticity of Paul’s instruction.
ABOVE CENSURE “CENSURE” is generally a very strong criticism of a subject or person. Now that posture will always continue as a characteristic of the opponents of the Gospel, and we will be subject to the disapproval of society at large, and no doubt by some in and of the church, because the Word of God tells us to expect that sort of treatment. In fact, it is a time when we have come to the realization that Father is in control of our every circumstance, “regardless of our outward condition” and this sort of “CENSURE” is due to our relationship to God, not to the deficiency in our instruction/ministry.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.
Not only does the Apostle Paul espouse these truths but Peter also gets on board, and he is another who speaks from both experience and also with authority. The events Peter says are “to test your quality”, and that is what Paul had set out to instruct Titus
1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendour] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly]. IF YOU ARE CENSURED and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you–happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part, He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified.
The requirement to “BE ABOVE CENSURE” fails in today’s Christian community because there is not that degree of dedication, commitment, application, engagement, participation in the lives of so many people, that the Christian ethic has come to represent a hypocritical and hypothetical theory rather than a confronting conviction wrought in the unbeliever so that the evidence is “IRREFUTABLE” and the proof is beyond “CENSURE”.
There will be opposition, there will be opponents, there will be uproar amongst those who find the strenuous demands of scripture too onerous and who will retreat into the comfort of liaison with the throng who sadly and unavoidably will succumb to the great “falling away” because they were not amenable to what Paul had to say to Titus.
The standard is very high, Paul’s concluding words in verse 8 read, “FINDING NOTHING DISCREDITING OR EVIL TO SAY ABOUT US”.
SELAH
Ross Smith 