I was about to sleep. Then I picked up my Greek New Testament Bible and turned to Titus 2. As I read, I pondered, considering the grace of God which Paul lays out in this chapter.
There is much talk about the grace of God. And rightly so, for there is no salvation apart from it. This article serves to continue this conversation, if perhaps our thoughts may be ordered aright according to sound doctrine that accords to godliness.
For the grace of God, the one which brings salvation to all men, appeared, disciplining us, so that we may live soberly and righteously and in a godly manner in the-now-age, by denying the ungodliness and the worldly passions. Titus 2:11-12 (My Translation).
Today, these verses struck me more than before. Not as a lightning bolt, but as a eureka moment, a sort of ‘aha’ that reminds me of the ever-inexhaustible newness to God’s Word.
Thoughts on the Text
Paul, after rehearsing the Christian household code in verses 1-10 gives a grounding for his instructions.
He has discussed the character that ought to be exhibited by older men and women, younger men and women, and bondservants. Now, he seeks to give the reason why such a manner of life is to be expected of believers.
The ‘for’ which begins verse 11 is inferential, giving grounds for the previous paragraph.
That is, godly character is the product of the work of grace in our lives.
Paul asserted that character adorns doctrine (2:10). And now he says that godliness is manifested because the grace of God, the one which brings salvation, has appeared (or shone) to all men.
The goodness of grace is that it comes with salvation to all men who will receive it.
We are told in verse 12 that this grace appears through discipline. The word commonly translated as ‘teaching’ (παιδεύουσα, a participle) literally means child chastening, or child training.
Paul is saying that the way we know that grace has appeared to a man is by observing his discipline. When we see a man’s character, we perceive that the grace of God is at work in him. Indeed, godliness adorns doctrine.
But the discipline of grace has a purpose, an end, just like every work of a wise man has a goal in view. And the reason for the inworking of grace, we are told, is so that we may live soberly and righteously and in a godly manner in ‘the-now-age’ that is today.
The adverb translated ‘soberly’ here occurs twice as an adjective, and once as an infinitive (verbal-noun) in Titus 2 alone. It is translated as ‘temperate’ or ‘self-controlled’ or ‘discreet’ in verse 2 and 5, and ‘sober-minded’ in verse 6.
In just 12 verses Paul has used this word four times. Now, when doing a bible study, it is helpful to keep notice of the author’s choice of words, and the frequency with which he uses them, especially in the same passage.
When a word is used a lot in a single chapter, the author is literally screaming: ‘listen!’
And Paul here is beckoning us to soberly pay attention to that word ‘sober’, for it is vital to our understanding of grace.
The point Paul makes is this: grace works through discipline and then shines through self-control (the word translated ‘appear’ in verse 11 also means ‘shine’).
That is, the grace of God brings salvation. It does so by disciplining those who receive it. And as a result, it shines through sober living.
Grace shines through a ‘patterns of good works’ (v7) which Paul enumerates in v1-10.
Take time to ponder on Paul’s mention of ‘pattern of good works.’ For Paul, if there is no consistent visible mark of sober living, if righteousness stops in talk and lacks in the walk and if godliness is not discernable in a man, then grace has not had its mark in him.
Grace disciplines us to walk soberly, thereby adorning the doctrine of God.
Now, Paul, anticipating the question ‘how do we live soberly?’ responds: by denying ungodliness and worldly passions or desires.
To ‘deny’ is to ‘contradict, disavow, reject, abnegate.’ It is ‘to refuse consent to something, to disclaim association with a person or event’ (BDAG).
To deny ungodliness is to cut off ties, to disclaim association with impiety. And this more than mental. It is an intentional refusal ‘to pay any attention’ to what contradicts sound teaching.
Grace is a scissor which cuts the cords that connect us to crime and sin. It is an axe laid at the root of unrighteousness. It is the fire that consumes all the chaff in the Christian’s life, calling the child of God to maturity.
For this reason, conversations about God’s grace should also centre around the discipline it brings in believers, and its fruit, which is a visible pattern of good works.
“Let our people also learn to maintain good works.” Titus 3:14