Titus 2:1-8 speaks to both genders, to each individually. To the men, our Heavenly Father calls for holiness of character; to the women, He calls for holiness of action.
Our Heavenly Father recognizes in men, both mature (verse 2) and young (verse 6), a need for Godliness in their person. He calls for sobriety and seriousness, attention to and sincerity in doctrine, for faith, love, and Godly speech: all areas of a man’s challenge and responsibility. In a world in which men are praised for unrefined unGodliness Jesus calls on men to display the Fruit of the Spirit, and, in their character, to provide an example and leadership to the church, to their families, and to the world. Paul, himself, the author of this Book, addresses them directly.
Our Heavenly Father similarly recognizes (verses 3-5) the particular tendencies, and mandates the responsibilities of women. In a world of unGodly Feminism and the MeToo Movement our Lord calls for Godliness in action: not making false accusations, nor over-indulging in drink and illicit substances. God has commissioned women to teach those younger, a task not as explicitly given to men, for whom all are their responsibility. Women are commissioned by God to be Godly in morality, and also to take to heart His mandates for them toward the home, their husbands, and their children. And to teach these things, in defiance of the current anti-Godly rebellion against our Heavenly Father’s design.
Our Heavenly Father reminds both genders that these things are responsibilities, not only toward those in the Body, but also toward the unGodly world around us. In this way we both prevent false and violent accusations against ourselves, and maximize our ability to bring the unsaved to Christ, and to maintain Godly society.
5 …that the Word of God be not blasphemed.
8 … that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Titus 2:5-8 The BIBLE
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