I'm not promoting the KJV, though I do love it personally. It's true as is said, that a great many of the terms used in the King James Version are anachronistic, and to teach today's young people, we need more modern translations. Also, there are some necessary corrections* in the newer versions, one of which will be found in these verses.
The purpose of this study of the word "doctrine" is to show the legitimacy of its usage even in our day, because it describes a method of teaching which was emphasized by Jesus Christ Himself and by the writers of scripture; categorical, exegetical, expository teaching of the inerrant Word of God. The word itself gets a bad rap from people who don't understand its true meaning and tend to confuse it with "dogma," which is often identified with harsh legalism and ritualistic religions. I know it certainly was a turn-off to me and my friends, when we first started learning the Bible from a systematic teacher. She soon made us understand that if doctrine was not our priority, we would spend the rest of our days in a religious rut.
In this study, we've come to the references in Titus. Titus was a young Greek whom Paul had evangelized and trained for ministry. He was apparently a straight-forward trouble-shooter on Paul's team, and in this epistle, we have Paul's instructions to Titus about how to "set in order" the proper conduct among Church leaders. Behavior was an issue for those who would lead, and doctrine was of utmost importance. The date of this writing is AD 65, between the two epistles to Timothy. This was over 10 years after the earliest epistles to the Church. She (the Church) had had ample time to set a proper course for growing in grace and doctrine. Paul sent someone he could trust, who had the skill to put that in motion.
Titus 1:5-11 King James Version (KJV)
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
"Sound" - Greek hugiaino (hoogeeah'eeno). Safe, true, uncorrupt, whole, unadulterated.
"Doctrine" - didaskalia - (didaskalee'ah). Instruction. Systematic teaching. Scripture interpreting scripture from the original languages in which it is written.
Doctrine is not emotional do-goodism. Not myths, fables, some-says or ifs, ands and buts. These are the words. This is what they mean. Learn it. Apply it. Build on it.
In this and other epistles, Paul used this term to define the teaching he himself had learned directly from Jesus Christ in the dessert and had been teaching to the local Churches, as did Peter, James, John and the writer of Hebrews.
There were qualified believers in the Church. They just needed a system of authority under which to organize themselves for teaching, ministering, and spiritual growth. God's grace applies to all who believe, but certain gifts and characteristics are necessary for leaders, who must set the example. These characteristics indicate maturity: integrity, monogamy, command over his household, graciousness, generosity, sobriety, self-control, not greedy or grasping.
Such a man will have taken seriously and stored up the sound doctrine (faithful word) he has been taught. It is firmly fixed in his soul. He will be capable of teaching it to others, and to refute those who are prone to contradict. The legalistic Jews (of the circumcision) will cause trouble in your Church. They are subverting your authority, distorting your doctrine and making money doing it. They must be stopped, by the Word of Truth. This is the job of a Pastor/Teacher (bishop) in the New Testament Church.
Titus 2:1-5 (KJV)
Since Titus is the one being sent to see to these details, he himself must set the example of sound doctrine for the congregation, teaching them to cultivate the character of Christ; behaving with dignity and honor among themselves, and demonstrating integrity to the world. When we ignore Godly standards, our message loses its edge.
1 But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave,
temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in
behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine,
teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be
sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home,
good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Yes, it's true; old women have a responsibility to teach the younger women stability of mind and to love their husbands and children. It is important to keep that in mind when the young ones complain about their situations in life. There are great rewards in store for the woman who learns to be obedient to God's Word by honoring her marriage above all else. This is one of those mysterious truths that, if not protected vigilantly, can be lost and can never be regained in our earthly sojourn. Slovenly behavior and unfaithfulness to one's spouse dishonor not only the marriage, but also the very Word of God. You don't have to understand this right now, young matron, but do keep it in mind. Remember it. Someday you will realize its value. I am ordered to tell you that.
Titus 2:6-8 (KJV) 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober
minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of
good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned;
that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to
say of you.
(*In verse 7, the last word, "sincerity," seems to have been added after the writing of this epistle. It is probably left out in most later translations for that reason.)
Sobriety seems to have been a big issue among the population. Soundness of mind. Alertness. Wakefulness. Attention to duty. Awareness of Whom we represent. Integrity. Dignity. There are believers among us today who, in taking advantage of God's grace, seem to find it acceptable to be abrasive, abrupt and foul-mouthed, even in the presentation of God's perfect plan. Well, brethren, that most certainly does give the contrary ones evil to say about us. What can be our defense, in view of the clear command of scripture? Such disregard for the sensibilities of others is, at the very least, a distraction from the truth we want to share.
Titus 2:9-10 (KJV) 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their
own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good
fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
The word "servants" is correctly translated "bond-slaves." Bond-slaves are responsible to God, also, for their obedience to their masters. Make that their own masters. Never mind the expectations of others. "To his own master he stands or falls." (Romans 14:4) The slave's job is to please his master, not quibble and quarrel; not steal from him. Show yourself trustworthy. Make the doctrine of God attractive to others by your honorable behavior.
So, in the study so far, we see that doctrine is something that was with God before the universe was formed, it was given to God's people down through the history of the human race, it was taught by Jesus to the Jews who rejected it, then to His disciples who loved it, then to His Church to cherish and perpetuate until His return. Bible Doctrine is the Mind of Christ, I Corinthians 2:16. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, 2 Corinthians 4:7.
Bible Doctrine teaches us Who God is, how and why we are here, why and how we must be saved. If we learn it properly and apply it in our lives, we will develop that stability of soul that Titus looked for and trained into the leaders of the local Church. We don't all have to be leaders, but we all need the confidence, assurance, contentment and sense of purpose that can only come by the learning, storing and practice of doctrine in our souls. We won't get those qualities any other way.
God has provided it for us, and has prepared His men to lead us in it. We are without excuse.
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