Titus 2:11-15

Grace Appeared to All People

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good. So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.”

— ‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭15‬‬

Titus 2:1 has a “but” to contrast instructions for Titus with the corrupt, destructive actions of the community around Paul’s young protege on Crete. Always have to keep in mind that Timothy and Titus are not exactly pastors, but they are sent by Paul to raise up churches/leadership in their respective areas. I believe, per Mounce’s commentary, the appropriate term is apostolic delegate.

Chapter 2 is a bunch of instructions for groups of people: husbands, wives, slaves, young and old men, so falls under the category of a household code. I think this is one reason Paul uses the term “all people” in v .11. Yes, this is perhaps also emphasizing all nations/races. All socio-economic classes. And all of this may be wrapped up in the first ten verses. (So I would not use this verse for any kind of universalism. Perhaps that’s my theology getting in the way of pure exegesis. Literally “all men” doesn’t mean “all nations,” yes, but I am using a more chapter approach to inform the phrase.)

Why would the church have different instructions? Or what motivates different lifestyle from ch 1? Grace of God appeared. This is classic — such were you, but not anymore. Now, grace teaches/trains you to live differently. You can now be self-controlled, disciplined, pure. On our own, we can’t be any of this. 

I think it’s important to note that what “changes” us — at least in this passage- is grace. A full understanding of God’s love and forgiveness. This is explained further in the passage.

We wait for the fulfillment of salvation when the Lord appears. Hope now waits for fulfillment of hope later. Hope is not just forgiveness of sins, but in the resurrection of bodies. The restoration of creation. The final and ultimate reign of Jesus for eternity. But that hope must have effects in the present.

Jesus gave Himself to redeem a people for Himself. A people willing to do good. A pure people. All of these statements must be taken in context of Titus. Nothing can be preached/taught as a proof text against random things we see on the daily. But yes, those who follow Jesus should become more pure in their pursuit of Jesus. Yes, we should do good works/ serve those around us. We should be eager for these things. This not only contrasts the society around us, but the people we used to be. None of this is possible apart from grace.

Paul exhorts Titus to preach these things boldly, and there’s a similar line as to Timothy (1 Tim 4:12) about being young. True doctrine and an example of godly living/humility/service is far greater than perceived authority by world’s metrics.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8

“Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions. Banish emotional stress from your mind. and put away pain from your body; for youth and the prime of life are fleeting.”

“So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain; when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble, and the virile men begin to stoop over, and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few, and those who look through the windows grow dim, and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint, and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street; the almond blossoms grow white, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry shrivels up – because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streets – before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water wheel is broken at the cistern – and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life’s breath returns to God who gave it. “Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher, “All of these things are futile!””

‭‭ ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11‬:‭9‬-‭12:8

Rejoice while you are young. Follow impulses of your heart. But know that God will bring you into judgment.

The point is not that following your impulses is necessarily bad. The point is that while doing whatever you want, realize that all you think and do will be evaluated by a holy and righteous God. There are boundaries and moral standards. 

Banish or remove vexation/emotional stress from your heart. Remove pain from your body. Youth/being young is a passing thing. Enjoy it while you can.

Remember God! Meaning obeying Him and acknowledging His Lordship.

Nerd moment: Verses 1-7 are one really long sentence. It’s actually that way in Hebrew, too. 

Difficult days probably refers to physical difficulty: injury, pain, suffering. He’s been talking about youth the whole time.

So many metaphors for old age in this passage: Clouds disappear after rain, because rain forms the clouds. We like clouds, they’re pretty. They make beautiful sunsets. But once “life” happens—the rain and the storms—there’s no more clouds. 

Those who used to be strong and bold. In old age, they become scared and timid. Strong men are now bent.

Grinders: Women who would go to the mill and grind corn or wheat into flour. So there are fewer of them. But what this is really talking about is teeth. The word also refers to molar that grind food and as those become fewer, less grinding takes place.

Those who look through windows: Failing eyesight. 

Awake by the sound of a bird and when the mill grows low. They can’t get a full night’s sleep because every little sound wakes them up.

All the daughters of song are brought low, really means “all their songs grow faint.” Musical songs during youth or even the ability to hear songs that are sung. Loss of hearing.

Don’t want to go outside

Almond blossoms go from pink to white when ripe: also a symbol of white hair

Grasshopper becomes its own burden

Desire fails—actually refers to a special berry, this has something to do with sexuality, but I didn’t do too much research here. 

Eternal home: Grave for the body; sheol for the soul. Place for dead souls. Now we know that when you die, if you have believed in Jesus, your soul is present with Him. You will get a new body at the final resurrection. Ecclesiastes isn’t concerned with that. All of that wasn’t revealed, yet. Everyone is going to die and decay, and that’s his point.

Dust returns to earth, and life’s breath returns to God who gave it. 

So what should we do? Remember God while you’re young. Enjoy your youth. 

vv. 13-14. Fear God and Keep his commandments. He will hold us accountable. He is the sovereign lawgiver. What’s the point of life? Is it to get rich? Is it to build an empire? Is it to work 80 hour work weeks? Is it to have 300 friends or followers or likes or shares on social media? 

If you think so, then reread this book. Go read Proverbs. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your youth. Because even that is vanity. It’s fading.

But there are things that you can do now that you won’t be able to do in the future. Will you do them? There are ideas and passions and dreams that you can do now that you’ll forget 10/15 years from now. How can you fulfill them? And I’m talking for God’s kingdom. Other stuff is fine, too, but I’m focused on this right now.

Remember your Creator in your youth.