Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Titus Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting Titus 2:1-15
2:1But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine: 2:2that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:
2:3that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; 2:4that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,2:5to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:
2:6the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded: 2:7in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, 2:8sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.
2:9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying; 2:10not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
2:11For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 2:12instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; 2:13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 2:14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
2:15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
November 25, 1900: Titus 2:1-15
This is given as a lesson of temperance by the Bible Lesson Committee. To them temperance is confined to the abstinence from intoxicating liquors. Paul takes a larger view of “soberness.” He opens his exhortation to Titus with, “Speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine.” Paul was inclined to dogmatism and seemingly tedious details, but he nearly always carried out his central idea in the right place, that is, the mind, and the word that gave it expression. “Speak sound doctrine” is a good text for a temperance lesson. “Sound in faith, in love, in patience.” If all Christians in the world would take this text daily and follow it in thought and word, intemperance would soon be a thing of the past.
The customary way to carry on temperance reform is to fight the intemperate. The result is that intemperance fights back and the war is interminable. The true remedy is to “speak the sound doctrine in faith, in love, in patience.” That sound doctrine is that God is Spirit, everywhere present as life substance and intelligence; that that Omnipresent substance, when taken into the consciousness, satisfies all the desires of the senses.
Our first step in this true temperance gospel is to preach this sound doctrine to ourselves, until we are examples of sobriety, temperance and purity. As Paul says in this lesson, “In all things showing thyself an ensample of good works in thy doctrine, shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.”
A temperance exhortation comes with poor grace from a glutton, or a slave to passion. This sense man is the open door between the inner and the outer world, and it makes a mighty difference in our work how we think and act ourselves. The children of gluttons become drunkards and tobacco slaves, and we marvel at the way that they could have gone that way, the parents themselves setting them such a good example of temperance. Temperance means self-control along all lines. An unruly appetite is apt to break out in any direction. The vibrations of lustful thought, though outwardly hidden, will poison the minds of those near and far who are not armored with Christian purity.
The remedy is: Analyze your own sense man and purify him. Give him that satisfaction which all are seeking: the pure substance of Omnipresent Spirit. Paul says in this lesson, “Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts.” This denial should be practiced daily, not only for ourselves, but for all men. Then affirm, “The grace of God hath appeared bringing salvation to all men.” This treatment applied in the silence with “faith, love and patience” will reform your loved one quicker than any other method, and upon this system rests the reformation of the whole world.
– UNITY magazine.
July 20, 1941: Titus 2:1-8
What conduct is represented as befitting aged men (the trained intellect)? Temperance, gravity, sober-mindedness, sound faith, love, and patience.
What qualities are aged women (the disciplined soul) to supply to man? Reverence, praise, temperance, and a good example.
What qualities are young women (inexperienced souls) capable of developing? Love, earnestness (sober-mindedness), purity, industry, kindness, and humility.
Are the younger men (the undisciplined intellect) also capable of developing praiseworthy qualities?If so, what are they? Yes. They can develop earnestness, conscientiousness, integrity, and reasonableness.
What product of constructive thinking and living is of chief value to man? Irreproachable character is a defense to him against the ill will of those whose thought is negative and destructive.
October 28, 1945: Titus 2:1-4
What is the best preparation for the work of teaching others? To make sure of our ground, know our own mind, and know God as the source of all good.
October 28, 1945: Titus 2:11-12
In the successful teaching of the affirmative faith in the Christ, does denial find place? Denial of “ungodliness and worldly lusts” or desires is always in order. It involves individual aspiration, thought, resolution, and reliance on the indwelling Spirit.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-10-2014
