Titus 2:6-8 6Encourage the young men likewise to be self-controlled, 7in all things, setting them an example by doing what is good, in sound teaching, dignity, 8and sound in word beyond blame, in order that the opponent will be put to shame, because he does not have anything bad to say about us.
The young men in the church are the next on Paul’s list of instructions for Titus. Paul gives one simple statement in verse 6 directly for this group. The rest of the instructions in verses 7-8 are focused directly on Titus, who is to be a living example for the young men of other important qualities. Thus, Paul’s instructions for the young men continue indirectly through Titus.
Paul’s instruction to young men is similar to the other groups: be self-controlled (sōphronein). In a culture saturated with immorality, this characteristic serves as the foundation for what Paul gives next. The opposite of this quality is self-indulgence, which is another way to say, living by the desires of the flesh; a person does whatever feels good or seems good to him or herself. Paul changes from teach in verse 3 to encourage in verse 6. The type of instruction Titus should use ought not to be coercive but something that cooperates with the work that God’s grace is already doing in the lives of these believers (2:12).
The division of the sentence with verse 7 poses a slight problem for interpretation. It is difficult to know whether the phrase in all things goes with the previous directions to the young men or was intended to go with the following phrase that gives directions specifically to Titus. The choice between these options does not matter in the end because the young men should be self-controlled in all things, and Titus should also be an example in all things. The reason Titus could be a good example to the young men is that he was on the younger side himself. He could set an example for other young men to follow Paul himself served as an example to others of new life in Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6) and encouraged others to do the same (2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12).
Titus could be a good role model specifically in how he spoke and what he taught. Paul’s goal for him and the young men was to be beyond blame so that no one could condemn them for their words. This would require careful thought in all forms of communication—think before you speak. No one can say anything bad about an uncorrupted and respectable life devoted to doing good. One way to silence criticism is to have nothing about which to be criticized. The opposite actually could happen in that those who try to blame the Christian young men actually show their own ignorance and would be put to shame. The plural us at the end of verse 8 includes all believers. This was a matter of developing a good reputation for all Christians. How these young men acted could make a big impact on the mission of the church and the spread of the gospel.
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