In the book of Titus, Paul set out what our respective roles and conduct should be in the church. This was to resolve emerging controversy in the church that had the propensity to break the unity. The culture and traditions existing was fast creeping into the church and was affecting its doctrines. Paul categorized the congregation into three groups namely the elders, bishops and other members.
Paul’s directions were based on his appointment as God’s elect. He was one who acknowledged the truth after godliness. He believed in the hope of eternal life and so would not love any one to perish. He knew that God cannot lie so he preached what God had instructed him to do. Paul had seen or witnessed at first hand, the manifestation of God’s word in his life and could attest to same.
Elders of the church
Paul discussed the qualification of an elder in Titus 1:5-16. He must be blameless or without avoidable fault by grace through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. He must be the husband of one wife that is to say monogamous in marriage. Mistresses or concubines or girlfriends are not permissible. He must have faithful children devoid of unruly conduct. In effect his children must be well brought up, mannered or disciplined. He must have a peaceful and welcoming home.
It was Paul’s position that an elder should show he is able to succeed in ensuring good conduct of his own and those under him. A record of failure would be a record of failure of his stewardship as an elder of the church. The track record of discipline and successful living was thus important. His failure would likely be a pointer of failure and ridicule from his opponents. To be diligent and faithful over little is to be diligent or faithful over much.
Bishop
A bishop is the spiritual head of a church or a body of Christ Jesus. A bishop must equally be blameless just as an elder is required to exhibit as a steward of God. A bishop is therefore a steward of God and none other. He is required to uphold and share the scripture in its pure sense without adulteration or mixed with strange doctrines contrary to the word of God. In recent times, we have been experiencing situations where bishops are identifying with strange and contrary doctrines to God’s word.
He must not be self-willed or selfish or self-centered or autocratic, ignoring all others’ views or opinions. He must not be temperamental or a slave to anger, and not arrogant. He must therefore be forgiving and slow to anger. James 1:19 says let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. He must not be an addict to wine or alcohol or a slave to alcoholic intoxication. He must not be violent. He must not subscribe to filthy lucre or lust after or be greedy for ungodly gain or wealth.
He must be hospitable, warm and friendly or approachable. He must love people of good character. Revelation 22:11 says let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy. He must thus be unequally yoked with unbelievers for what has a believer in common with an unbeliever, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15. He must be sober, just, holy and temperate.
A bishop must faithfully keep or preserve the word of God as it is and as he has been taught so he could use sound doctrine to bring salvation to unbelievers, people with loose tongue, hypocrites especially those who claim to know Christ but in reality do not but are influenced by ungodly wealth irrespective of their position whether a prophet or not. He must not subscribe to false doctrines but rebuke same in order to restore faith in Christ Jesus. A bishop desires a noble task, 1Timothy 3:1.
Members
Titus chapter two is devoted to the role of the congregation. Members must speak of sound doctrines that are truths. They must respect authorities, speak evil of no one, be gentle and meek. Paul says he himself was once not perfect but upon his encounter with Christ by mercy, he was saved and now justified by grace. Paul is thus saying we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, Philippians 4:13.
Aged men
The aged men must be sober, serious, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, and in patience. The aged men are therefore to show leadership. Deuteronomy 8:5 says know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. We further read from Proverbs 3:11 that my son, we must not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof.
Proverbs 12:1 says whoever loves discipline love knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 13:24 reinforces discipline saying, he who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Proverbs 29:17 says discipline your son, he will give you rest, he will give delight to their hearts. Hebrews 12:6 also says for the Lord disciplines whom he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.
Aged women
To the aged women, they must be holy, not false accusers, not drunkards but teachers of virtue. They are to teach their young women to be sober, to love their husbands, and to love their children. Further instructions which are hereafter stated as the roles or duties for young women are the responsibilities of aged women to ensure, teach and train their young women.
Young women
They must be discreet, not gossips; virtuous and keep the home. They must be good and obedient to their husbands. They must exemplify good works, incorruptness, seriousness and sincerity. They must avoid negative indoctrination that collapses marriage. Respect in marriage is pivotal to its survival. Temptations will come but woe to him by whom they come, Luke 17:1. Paul says, women love your husbands
Young men
Young men must be sober minded or have cool heads. They must show good works without corrupt practices but substance with sincerity. They must show decorum or polished or measured speech and to encourage servants to respect their masters. They must avoid stealing or misappropriation. They must show good loyalty or trustworthiness. God’s sufficient grace should enable them to avoid worldly lusts.
They must work as God’s peculiar and zealous people. They should let no man despise them, Titus 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12. Paul says, husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:25. He also says in Colossians 3:19 that husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
What is your role?
These roles and responsibilities are by no means exhaustive. Paul exhausts it in Philippians 4:8 saying, finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things that are honest, whatsoever things that are just, whatsoever things that are pure, whatsoever things that are lovely, whatsoever things that are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Show yourself approved of God in his service. Titus 2:7 says show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. You cannot sit on the fence for you are called to duty in the Lord’s vineyard. Do not disappoint God. Join us to appreciate God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, in whatever role I may find myself in the body of Christ, help me to be diligent and to discharge my duties as you have commanded. I surrender to you in service, Amen!!
