A Word to the Older Men in the Church

"In Titus 2:2-6, Paul unpacks practically what it means for men and women to live in accordance with sound doctrine. And he starts with the older men of the congregation.  “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” Titus 2:2

“Sober-minded” translates a term that describes moderation in the drinking of an alcoholic beverage. Its figurative extension in this verse means to be free from every form of mental and spiritual drunkenness—to be free from excess, passion, rashness, or confusion. It’s a call to be “restrained in conduct, self-controlled, level-headed” (BDAG).

“Dignified” describes a person who is worthy of respect and honor. It is a person who is noble, dignified, and serious (BDAG). The dignified person is so self-possessed and in control of his temper and fears that he elicits admiration from those who know him.

“Self-controlled” indicates someone who is thoughtful and in control of their passions. In Aristotle’s ethics, the term describes someone who avoids extremes and who gives careful consideration for responsible action (Aristot., EN 3, 15; BDAG). For Aristotle, the “self-controlled” person “is intent on the what, the how, and the when of doing what should be done.”

“Sound” literally means to be “healthy” or free from sickness. The extension of that meaning here means to be free from error. So “sound” in faith, love, and endurance means that older men have to believe in the right way, love in the right way, and endure in the right way.

A Word to the Older Women of the Church

After giving instructions about older men in the congregation, Paul now turns to the older women:  “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good.” Titus 2:3.  Cross-generational relationships are Jesus' design for the Body of Christ (see Titus 2).

Notice that Paul says “likewise.” That means that these older women are to be godly exemplars just like the older men are. And Paul specifies particular attributes:  “Reverent in behavior” means behavior that is worthy of a holy person (Montanari). There is a verbal link to what Paul says in verse one about that which is “fitting with sound doctrine.” This term calls for behavior that is “fitting with holiness.” Paul zeroes in on two very specific besetting sins that are not in accord with holy behavior.

“Not slanderers.” To slander someone means to assassinate someone’s character with your words. The NASB translates the term as “malicious gossips.” The malevolent attempt to destroy someone’s reputation and character with your words is not in keeping with holiness. In fact, this term is one of the names that the Bible gives to the Devil—Diabolos. He is a slanderer. Slander is the devil’s work and is completely at odds with holy behavior.  

"Act Like Men! Be Strong!" (Despite the Feminization Trend of the Church)

A recent N.Y. Post story was recently released with a most unexpected title (for a secular news organization)- Feminism Has Destabilized the American Family.  Despite such admissions, Christian feminism has made a resurgence within conservative evangelical camps- from the PCA to Southern Baptist to non-denominational churches. 

A Pastor-friend of mine summarized the biblical view of manhood and womanhood as follows: The woman was created from the man TO SHOW THE MAN that he is to cherish his wife as he does his own flesh.

The woman was not created from his head TO SHOW HER that she is not to usurp his authority as her head.

But the woman was also not created from his feet TO SHOW HIM that she is not to be trampled and walked upon as if she does not also bear the image and dignity of God.

The woman is created not from the head or the feet of man, but from his rib, from his side, and close to his heart. She is his companion. She complements him; completes him.  In the great mystery of Divinely instituted marriage the two become one.

Man and woman are "joined at the hip". They flourish in the world when they join one another in showcasing their distinctions. In this God is glorified and the gospel put on effective and full display.

Today's post by Pastor Buice goes along with a series of articles on Troubling Trends Influencing the Christian Church.

"Satan delights in denigrating what God created as good. It has always been God’s plan for his Church to possess a certain masculinity in leadership and that masculinity flows into the general membership as well. One of the depressing realities of our modern culture is the assault upon masculinity as if it’s somehow a bad thing. While we can all certainly agree that male dominance is not God’s plan for his Church—the plan to extract male leadership and characteristics from God’s Church is certainly not healthy—in fact it’s downright sinful.

When Paul was closing out his letter to the church in the city of Corinth, he wrote these words in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” We must recall that Paul was writing to a church that was in desperate need of theological and practical correction. The apostle took a firm stance against their sin, and then pointed them to the proper means of living out the gospel of Christ. Apparently one of their struggles was centered on love and their lack of manliness. William Robertson Nicoll observes that these exhortations are “directed respectively against the heedlessness, fickleness, childishness, and moral enervation of the” church at Corinth. [1]

New- Biblical Manhood and Womanhood Series

New Class Starting 9/17/17

This Sunday all of our children/youth and adult SS classes begin at 9am at Lake Country Bible Church.

In my adult Sunday School class we will begin our "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood" series. 

In this class we'll answer many related questions, such as:  What are the biblical roles and responsibilities of Christian men and women?

What does Biblical manhood entail?

What does Biblical womanhood involve?

How can we avoid the unbiblical extremes?

MEN, are we striving to be EXEMPLARY Christian husbands?

LADIES, are you striving to be EXCELLENT Christian WIVES?

Single girls, do you know what masculine Christian virtues to look for in a potential future husband?

Single guys, do you know the roles and goals of a potential future wife?

Fathers are we modeling what a loving leader, a sacrificial provider, and a spiritual protector looks for our children?

Mothers, are a model of the commitments and virtues that are set forth in Prov. 31 and Titus 2?