Titus 2-3; Philemon 1

Titus 2

 Teach Sound Doctrine 

Older Men

Older men should be:

• Sober-minded
• Dignified
• Self-controlled
• Sound in faith
• Sound in love
• Sound in steadfastness

Older Women

Older women should:

• Be reverent in behavior
• Not be slanderers
• Not be enslaved to much wine
• Teach what is good

They are to train younger women to:

• Love their husbands
• Love their children
• Be self-controlled
• Be pure
• Work faithfully in the home
• Be kind
• Submit to their husbands

 Younger Men

• Be self-controlled
• Follow Titus’ example

Titus is to demonstrate:

• Good works
• Integrity
• Dignity
• Sound speech

Bondservants

Bondservants should:

• Be submissive
• Be trustworthy
• Not argumentative
• Not steal
• Show good faith
• Adorn the doctrine of God

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (2:11)

The gospel:

• Brings salvation
• Teaches believers how to live

Grace Teaches Us To

• Renounce ungodliness
• Renounce worldly passions
• Live self-controlled lives
• Live upright lives
• Live godly lives

Believers await the blessed hope of Christ’s return. 

Jesus:

• Gave Himself for us
• Redeemed us
• Purified a people for Himself
• Made them zealous for good works

 Teach with Authority

Titus is commanded to:

• Declare these truths
• Exhort believers
• Rebuke with authority 

“Let no one disregard you.”

Titus 3

Believers should:

• Submit to rulers and authorities
• Be obedient
• Be ready for every good work
• Avoid slander and quarreling 
• Be gentle
• Show courtesy to everyone

Before salvation we were:

• Foolish
• Disobedient
• Deceived
• Slaves to passions
• Living in malice and envy

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared…” 

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness…” 

• Washing of regeneration
• Renewal of the Holy Spirit
• Justification by grace
• Heirs of eternal life

Believers should be careful to devote themselves to good works

Avoid:

• Foolish controversies
• Genealogies
• Quarrels about the Law

These things are  unprofitable and worthless

A divisive person should:

1. Be warned
2. Be warned again
3. If still unrepentant, remove them for they are self-condemned. 

Paul gives final greetings. 

Philemon 1

Author: Paul

The letter is addressed primarily to:

• Philemon
• Apphia (likely Philemon’s wife)
• Archippus (possibly their son or church leader)
• The church meeting in Philemon’s house

Date: around AD 60-62.

It was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, at about the same time as other prison epistles. 

A slave named Onesimus belonged to Philemon. Paul now sends Onesimus back to Philemon carrying this letter.

Paul greets Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and The house church

Paul continually thanks God for Philemon because of:

• His faith in Christ
• His love for believers

Philemon had refreshed and encouraged many Christians. “The hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” 

Paul calls Onesimus “my child”

A wordplay appears:

• ὀνήσιμος (onēsimos) = means “useful”
• Once he was “useless”

Paul would prefer to keep Onesimus, however he respects Philemon’s rights. 

Paul suggests God may have been working through the situation.

Perhaps Onesimus left so that:

• He could return forever
• He could return as a brother in Christ

Paul asks “Receive him as you would receive me.”

Paul offers to pay his debt. “Charge that to my account.”

Paul trusts Philemon will do even more than requested.

Paul hopes to visit soon and asks Philemon to prepare lodging.

Paul closes with a blessing of grace.

Application

Titus shows us how we are to conduct ourselves as believers in Christ. We are an example to the world and are set apart from earthly matters. Philemon is a beautiful example how we ourselves were once slaves but are now set free by grace.