Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Likewise, teach the older women … not to be … addicted to much wine …
Summary: Being nearsighted means we do not always “see” the long term impact of our choices. The word “addicted” has a very technical meaning in our culture. Other translations offer a more general way of looking at this passage.
Continue reading “Titus 2:3 (c) — How Much is Much?”
Likewise, teach the older women … not to be slanderers …
Summary: In Greek, the word “slander” comes from the root word for “devil.” Slander is a tool for hurting others. Envy and jealousy are two of the motives for hurting others.
Continue reading “Titus 2:3 (b) — The Devil’s Trap”
Teach the older men to be … worthy of respect …
Summary: Respect is different for the worldly than it is for the believer. Worldly people are impressed by outward appearance. Spiritual people are impressed by one’s closeness to God.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (c) — Mr. Diggs”
Teach the older men to be … temperate …
Summary: God made wine. Then he told man to be careful using it. Paul says this is especially important for an overseer.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (b) — Clear Minded”
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
Summary: Paul’s letter to Titus has explained who is qualified to be responsible for teaching “sound doctrine” and who is not. Now Paul turns to what and how to teach.
Continue reading “Titus 2:1 — Milk or Meat?”
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Summary: Paul has been describing people who should not be leaders in a church. Today’s passage summarizes why this is important to protect the church fellowship.
Continue reading “Titus 1:16 — Satan’s Arrow”
… or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.
Summary: Paul has been explaining why churches need an overseer. Today’s passage points us toward another threat that the overseer is to protect against.
Continue reading “Titus 1:14 (b) — Tofu Turkey”
One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This saying is true.
Summary: Looking closely at this passage we find ourselves challenged to look at the meaning of the Greek word, “krino.” Krino means “judge,” and there are many ways of using that word. We need to apply it correctly in this case.
Continue reading “Titus 1:12-13 (a) — Anomaly”
—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
Summary: What is honest gain? From that we can learn what dishonest gain is. Knowing what to look for, we can avoid entanglements with those who are working against God.
Continue reading “Titus 1:11 (c) — Dishonest Gain”
… because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach …
Summary: Paul has been describing something he has seen many times. The enemy of God has been working hard to derail Paul’s efforts. Paul is very concerned that new believers will also come under fire from the Enemy.
Continue reading “Titus 1:11 (b) — The Enemy”