Today you should read: Titus 2:1-8
Equal Standing, But Different Roles …
Coming out of chapter 1, Paul is now contrasting people who “profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works.” We know this because Paul begins in chapter 2 with infamous words, “but as for you.” Paul has used this phrase at other times in the book of 2 Timothy. And here, Paul has just finished, in chapter 1, describing these false teachers whose lives don’t match their words. Then he turns to Titus and tells him to be different. He says, “But as for you…” live differently and lead differently. Paul is painting the picture of how the church should look, and Titus will be following his instructions.
In our verses today, Paul is describing, “sound doctrine” in regards to gender roles and responsibilities within the church and home. This is very important for a major reason. He says in verse 6 that these roles and responsibilities should be followed, that the gospel may not be reviled.
Regardless of age or gender, we all have equal standing before God. No one is greater and no one is lesser. But just as within trinity, although there is equality, there is a difference in roles and responsibility. Gender roles combine to accomplish great things for the kingdom of God. And fulfilling these roles will represent the gospel to the world around us. We can show the beauty of the Gospel (and not revile it) by fulfilling the responsibilities God has given us.
Today’s “Walk-a-Way”
Here are the focuses for each gender that Paul gives to Titus. This is not an exhaustive list, and many of these roles should be the same for both genders, but it’s a great list to look at for gender roles and responsibilities:
Older men (and younger) are to:
- Exercise self-control
- Be worthy of respect
- Live wisely
- Have sound faith
- Be filled with love and patience
Older women (and younger) should:
- Live in a way that honors God
- Not slander others or be heavy drinkers
- Teach others what is good
- Train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.
Paul lays this list out for us in a simple way. Ask yourself today, how are you doing in your “assigned” roles and responsibilities? This could be good to take with you as specific areas to work on in your daily life. Will you give these areas effort? Remember, when we live like this, the lost world around us will see the gospel in all of its beauty. By fulfilling our roles, our families and churches can be walking billboards for what Jesus has done for us on the cross.
Posted by: Sam Cirrincione
JumpstartCPC.com 
2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
Tina and I have been blessed to be members at CPC for about 5 years now. It became obvious that I was one of the “older men” in this young church, which was only four years old at the time, when we joined early in 2010. Now that I’m in my mid-50’s, Titus 2:2 speaks to me more than ever. I’m grateful for a church that invests time into teaching older men the things God’s word commands. It is indeed an honor and privilege to disciple and teach younger men the lessons which God has taught me. I love that CPC is a disciple making church which trains everyone to effectively share the Gospel and make more disciples.
This is great! Thanks for your sincere response Mike! It’s such a pleasure to labor with you!