The Expected Pattern
When someone wants to build
a house, the person would have a pattern of what his house would look like
inside of him. He would go to architect and tell him the kind of pattern in his
heart (or mind) which he wants his house to look like, that they should draw
such for him and in case such architect has something like that before he would
show him the drawing of those he has so that he would choose from there.
In a place where architects are not readily available, he can make us of some draughtsman, civil engineers, estate managers and all what not to do the job for him.
In the recent times like this such people would browse through the internet to bring out the types of building he has painted from them from the internet.
If a person wants to enter love relationship such a person would have the picture of the person, he or she likes in his or her heart. Even if the exact picture painted in his heart cannot be gotten at least the person would not be completely opposite to the photo he has in his mind.
Apostle Paul in his epistle to Titus in chapter two of it told his spiritual child different words of counseling of what he should be doing to steer the ship of the churches he was overseeing well. It is from his words of counsel that I want to write briefly.
Meaning of Titus: In Greek the name is “Τίτος”, Romanized form is Titos (pronounced as tee'-tos) which means titan of the giants. However, in Latin the name means saved, while in American interpretation it means pleasing.
Some Words on Deputy Apostle: Titus
Titus was a godly man of Corinth who was surnamed Justus (Act 18:7). He was a trusted companion of Apostle Paul. He was not mentioned in the books of Acts of the Apostles, but he is frequently mentioned in Paul’s epistles.
His parents were gentiles (Gal. 2:3) and was one of the delegates from Antioch (Act 15:2) who accompanied Paul and Barnaba to Jerusalem at the time of council (Gal 2: 1 & 3). He was probably a native of Antioch and Paul may have been instrumental to his conversion because he calls him his child in common faith (Tit 1:4).
He caused stir at Jerusalem when he appeared with Paul, but the church did not compel him to be circumcised (Gal 2:3-5). He was with Paul at Ephesus and was sent to Corinth to correct the anomalies there (2 Cor 2:13; 7:6, 13; 8:6, 16; 12:18)
Apostle Paul expects him at Troas when he left Ephesians (2 Cor 2:12-13) but when he did not appear, he left for Macedonia where Titus met him with good news (2 Cor 7:6, 13-14) and was sent back to Corinth with second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:6, 18, 23).
Nothing was heard of him again until Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment.
This letter to him was shown that he was left in Crete to oversee the churches there just as Timothy was overseeing the church in Ephesus, he was the Apostolic Deputy.
His mission was temporary one as he was told to rejoin Apostle in Nicopolis and in second Timothy 4 verse 10 he was said to have gone to Dalmatia.
Epistle to Titus
This epistle was probably written in AD 65-66 TO Titus by apostle Paul after he was released from the first Roman imprisonment. He was the superintendent of the churches in Crete, young and vibrant in the word of God, thus necessitating the apostle to write him, given him guidelines (instructions) to follow while discharging his duties. (The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible)
The Counseling
One of his admonitions and counseling to him is what we want to examine in this article. The counseling is the first part of the sixth counseling that the apostle gave to his spiritual son which says,
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” (Tit 2:7)
Why he Gave the Admonition: Apostle Paul gave the admonition to his son because of his age, he was young. It is commoner for young people to misbehave while discharging their duties, and of course they could for their age shy away from some responsibilities, this he does not want to happen, he shouldn’t consider his age thence misbehaves neither neglect to discharge his duties as they should be discharged to all, old and young, men and women, children and aged.
When we remember the issue of age as being raised by Jeremiah the prophet, we shall recall that this counseling that the apostle gave his son was timely and good.
“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
“But the LORD said unto me, say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” (Jer 1:6-8)
Many of us that have been called at a tender age do become fearful of how to administer our duties to elderly ones, and sometimes we shall leave them unattended to because we do not want to step on toes and shall only be seeking for the person of our age mate to talk to and or looking for someone older to address what the older people are doing that is wrong.
Pattern Your Life
The key word in the admonition that we shall look at is pattern. Which is defined as being an excellent example of something to copy.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: …” (Tit 2:7a)
The Greek word for pattern here is “τύπος”, Romanized form is tupos (pronounced as too'-pos) which means shape, style, figure, model, manner, form.
The apostle was herein telling his son, that it does not matter much as to teach alone other than balancing what is being said with his actions, though he being young, he expects him to lay good example for all, thence become a model for all to follow as they listen to his messages they should also be seeing that in his actions daily activities.
How sorry it is for believers of today for we only speak but we do not practice what we say. This counseling is for us all to balance our teachings with our actions we should be model for all to follow.
I was telling brethren in Abuja, Nigeria last year, that people will tell you to be holy but they won’t demonstrate holiness, just place some money into their custody or place them in the position of authority and you would find them going against every words that they have preached and taught. They would tell you not to have another god except Yahweh through Jesus but they themselves have made themselves small “gods” in the world. It is easy to speak, but practicing is another thing entirely. This he admonishes his son to balance.
In What He was Expected to be a Pattern: He stated in the message to him in those things that he wants him to be a model for others.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: …” (Tit 2:7a)
In what he should be a model to others is “in all things” not in one thing, not concentrating on a sect neither a age limit nor social class but in all.
All things here is written in Greek as “πᾶς”, Romanized form is pas (phonetic spelling is pas) which means every, whole, whatsoever.
The word used here is not gender directed as it is “neuter” which shows that it is all encompassing, it involves all.
He should be a model in the ministry, for there would be some people who will be looking upward to being like him in the ministry; he should be a model, an example marital wise, he should be example as son to his parents, he should be an example as father to his children, he should be example as servant to his lord.
Not like the kind of example being laid by the covetous and dubious servant in the book of Luke chapter 16:1-10
How to be a Pattern (or Model)
Some people think it is by being hard, stern, on their followers, that they can become a model. How erroneous those people are? Here in the apostle says how he can be a role model a person that everyone would look forward to is by putting what he was saying into actions. He should not be like the scribes and pharisees as Jesus said of them that they speak but they would not do what they have spoken.
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
“Saying, the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
“All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Mat 23:1-4)
Type of Pattern
Critically examining the content of this admonition, we shall see that the apostle shows that there are types of modeling there.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: …” (Tit 2:7a)
As shown from the “a” part of the verse above we shall see that the patterning could be divided into two broad classes and they are: good and bad patterns.
He despite knowing and stating this like Prophet Moses in his departing speech to the children of Israel says, a good leader after laying the facts and figures before his subjects and followers would always tell them the one to choose, the one that is better.
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deu 30:19)
We shall recall that the same applied with Jesus he shows the world whom the darkness is, how the darkness operates and all what not about the devil and presents himself as the light of the world and he says we should choose him and live. The same applies to John the Baptist after showing the multitude of people following him the person, they are all expecting he told them that he is the one they all should choose.
This has been the characteristics of a good leader over the years and you would know them by their actions and speeches as the bible says that by their fruits they shall be known.
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Mat 7:20)
Poll: Leadership: Are you a good leader? Yes No, I am not a leader
We should know that everyone in the world is a leader one way or another, you may not be leading multitude of people as some people are, but you are leading some in your closets, in your inner circuits, it may be your wife, your children your sibling etc. How are you leading them? We are expected to lead them right tutor them in the right way show them which way to follow what to choose if they will have comfort and eternal life.
He encourages him to be a good role model for all to follow.
The Role Modeling is Not Passive one
The patterning he stated in word that it should not be a passive one, but it should be an active one. It would be active one because it involves work. Let us see the kind of active works required of him as stated by apostle James in his epistle to all in chapter 2: 13-26.
(i) Love in Expression: He wants him to show love to all for by love God sends his son to the world to die for mankind and bring us back to himself. Love as a work embedded in faith is not passive, any love that is passive is heading for the rocks, heading for destructions. As I have loved thee, show love to one another he emphasizes to his disciples when he was leaving the world.
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (Joh 13:34)
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (Joh 15:12)
“These things I command you, that ye love one another.” (Joh 15:17)
This love would be shown in their works as apostle James stated.
(ii) Merciful: Through the good works you shall show mercy so that you shall also receive mercy. People will do some things that he would think people of such status in faith should not do, but when such has been done, he should temper justice with mercy, not that he won’t correct them, but he should not for all things be quick to judge and condemning them as some people are.
(iii) Giving: This works would be demonstrated in his giving life. Because he would encounter those who are in need among them, those who are struggling to make ends meet and yet they are believers in the Lord Jesus, he thence told him that it would not be enough to tell the person that he shall join him or her in prayers when he has what he can do to salvage the situation or remedy it or at least assist in a way he should be ready to do that for the person and not tell him that he would join him or her in prayers alone, he should be ready to balance it with giving something out to the person.
(iv) Married with Faith: Those works would be balanced when they are married with faith as the father of faith himself had done when he was in the world, he balanced his actions with his works.
“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (Jas 2:23-24)
Though Apostle Paul has shown him and others example of living a christian life, (1 Cor 4:16, Phil 3:17), which he expects them to follow, but since he was not living with him, he cannot but write him to reiterate what he expects of him to do. This the Lord expects of all believers that we should do so that we shall be called after our father in heaven, so that we shall be the light in the perishing world by which we shall bring one or more to Christ and establish the weaklings in faith.
In a place where architects are not readily available, he can make us of some draughtsman, civil engineers, estate managers and all what not to do the job for him.
In the recent times like this such people would browse through the internet to bring out the types of building he has painted from them from the internet.
If a person wants to enter love relationship such a person would have the picture of the person, he or she likes in his or her heart. Even if the exact picture painted in his heart cannot be gotten at least the person would not be completely opposite to the photo he has in his mind.
Apostle Paul in his epistle to Titus in chapter two of it told his spiritual child different words of counseling of what he should be doing to steer the ship of the churches he was overseeing well. It is from his words of counsel that I want to write briefly.
Meaning of Titus: In Greek the name is “Τίτος”, Romanized form is Titos (pronounced as tee'-tos) which means titan of the giants. However, in Latin the name means saved, while in American interpretation it means pleasing.
Some Words on Deputy Apostle: Titus
Titus was a godly man of Corinth who was surnamed Justus (Act 18:7). He was a trusted companion of Apostle Paul. He was not mentioned in the books of Acts of the Apostles, but he is frequently mentioned in Paul’s epistles.
His parents were gentiles (Gal. 2:3) and was one of the delegates from Antioch (Act 15:2) who accompanied Paul and Barnaba to Jerusalem at the time of council (Gal 2: 1 & 3). He was probably a native of Antioch and Paul may have been instrumental to his conversion because he calls him his child in common faith (Tit 1:4).
He caused stir at Jerusalem when he appeared with Paul, but the church did not compel him to be circumcised (Gal 2:3-5). He was with Paul at Ephesus and was sent to Corinth to correct the anomalies there (2 Cor 2:13; 7:6, 13; 8:6, 16; 12:18)
Apostle Paul expects him at Troas when he left Ephesians (2 Cor 2:12-13) but when he did not appear, he left for Macedonia where Titus met him with good news (2 Cor 7:6, 13-14) and was sent back to Corinth with second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:6, 18, 23).
Nothing was heard of him again until Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment.
This letter to him was shown that he was left in Crete to oversee the churches there just as Timothy was overseeing the church in Ephesus, he was the Apostolic Deputy.
His mission was temporary one as he was told to rejoin Apostle in Nicopolis and in second Timothy 4 verse 10 he was said to have gone to Dalmatia.
Epistle to Titus
This epistle was probably written in AD 65-66 TO Titus by apostle Paul after he was released from the first Roman imprisonment. He was the superintendent of the churches in Crete, young and vibrant in the word of God, thus necessitating the apostle to write him, given him guidelines (instructions) to follow while discharging his duties. (The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible)
The Counseling
One of his admonitions and counseling to him is what we want to examine in this article. The counseling is the first part of the sixth counseling that the apostle gave to his spiritual son which says,
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” (Tit 2:7)
Why he Gave the Admonition: Apostle Paul gave the admonition to his son because of his age, he was young. It is commoner for young people to misbehave while discharging their duties, and of course they could for their age shy away from some responsibilities, this he does not want to happen, he shouldn’t consider his age thence misbehaves neither neglect to discharge his duties as they should be discharged to all, old and young, men and women, children and aged.
When we remember the issue of age as being raised by Jeremiah the prophet, we shall recall that this counseling that the apostle gave his son was timely and good.
“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
“But the LORD said unto me, say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” (Jer 1:6-8)
Many of us that have been called at a tender age do become fearful of how to administer our duties to elderly ones, and sometimes we shall leave them unattended to because we do not want to step on toes and shall only be seeking for the person of our age mate to talk to and or looking for someone older to address what the older people are doing that is wrong.
Pattern Your Life
The key word in the admonition that we shall look at is pattern. Which is defined as being an excellent example of something to copy.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: …” (Tit 2:7a)
The Greek word for pattern here is “τύπος”, Romanized form is tupos (pronounced as too'-pos) which means shape, style, figure, model, manner, form.
The apostle was herein telling his son, that it does not matter much as to teach alone other than balancing what is being said with his actions, though he being young, he expects him to lay good example for all, thence become a model for all to follow as they listen to his messages they should also be seeing that in his actions daily activities.
How sorry it is for believers of today for we only speak but we do not practice what we say. This counseling is for us all to balance our teachings with our actions we should be model for all to follow.
I was telling brethren in Abuja, Nigeria last year, that people will tell you to be holy but they won’t demonstrate holiness, just place some money into their custody or place them in the position of authority and you would find them going against every words that they have preached and taught. They would tell you not to have another god except Yahweh through Jesus but they themselves have made themselves small “gods” in the world. It is easy to speak, but practicing is another thing entirely. This he admonishes his son to balance.
In What He was Expected to be a Pattern: He stated in the message to him in those things that he wants him to be a model for others.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: …” (Tit 2:7a)
In what he should be a model to others is “in all things” not in one thing, not concentrating on a sect neither a age limit nor social class but in all.
All things here is written in Greek as “πᾶς”, Romanized form is pas (phonetic spelling is pas) which means every, whole, whatsoever.
The word used here is not gender directed as it is “neuter” which shows that it is all encompassing, it involves all.
He should be a model in the ministry, for there would be some people who will be looking upward to being like him in the ministry; he should be a model, an example marital wise, he should be example as son to his parents, he should be an example as father to his children, he should be example as servant to his lord.
Not like the kind of example being laid by the covetous and dubious servant in the book of Luke chapter 16:1-10
How to be a Pattern (or Model)
Some people think it is by being hard, stern, on their followers, that they can become a model. How erroneous those people are? Here in the apostle says how he can be a role model a person that everyone would look forward to is by putting what he was saying into actions. He should not be like the scribes and pharisees as Jesus said of them that they speak but they would not do what they have spoken.
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
“Saying, the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
“All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Mat 23:1-4)
Type of Pattern
Critically examining the content of this admonition, we shall see that the apostle shows that there are types of modeling there.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: …” (Tit 2:7a)
As shown from the “a” part of the verse above we shall see that the patterning could be divided into two broad classes and they are: good and bad patterns.
He despite knowing and stating this like Prophet Moses in his departing speech to the children of Israel says, a good leader after laying the facts and figures before his subjects and followers would always tell them the one to choose, the one that is better.
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deu 30:19)
We shall recall that the same applied with Jesus he shows the world whom the darkness is, how the darkness operates and all what not about the devil and presents himself as the light of the world and he says we should choose him and live. The same applies to John the Baptist after showing the multitude of people following him the person, they are all expecting he told them that he is the one they all should choose.
This has been the characteristics of a good leader over the years and you would know them by their actions and speeches as the bible says that by their fruits they shall be known.
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Mat 7:20)
Poll: Leadership: Are you a good leader? Yes No, I am not a leader
We should know that everyone in the world is a leader one way or another, you may not be leading multitude of people as some people are, but you are leading some in your closets, in your inner circuits, it may be your wife, your children your sibling etc. How are you leading them? We are expected to lead them right tutor them in the right way show them which way to follow what to choose if they will have comfort and eternal life.
He encourages him to be a good role model for all to follow.
The Role Modeling is Not Passive one
The patterning he stated in word that it should not be a passive one, but it should be an active one. It would be active one because it involves work. Let us see the kind of active works required of him as stated by apostle James in his epistle to all in chapter 2: 13-26.
(i) Love in Expression: He wants him to show love to all for by love God sends his son to the world to die for mankind and bring us back to himself. Love as a work embedded in faith is not passive, any love that is passive is heading for the rocks, heading for destructions. As I have loved thee, show love to one another he emphasizes to his disciples when he was leaving the world.
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (Joh 13:34)
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (Joh 15:12)
“These things I command you, that ye love one another.” (Joh 15:17)
This love would be shown in their works as apostle James stated.
(ii) Merciful: Through the good works you shall show mercy so that you shall also receive mercy. People will do some things that he would think people of such status in faith should not do, but when such has been done, he should temper justice with mercy, not that he won’t correct them, but he should not for all things be quick to judge and condemning them as some people are.
(iii) Giving: This works would be demonstrated in his giving life. Because he would encounter those who are in need among them, those who are struggling to make ends meet and yet they are believers in the Lord Jesus, he thence told him that it would not be enough to tell the person that he shall join him or her in prayers when he has what he can do to salvage the situation or remedy it or at least assist in a way he should be ready to do that for the person and not tell him that he would join him or her in prayers alone, he should be ready to balance it with giving something out to the person.
(iv) Married with Faith: Those works would be balanced when they are married with faith as the father of faith himself had done when he was in the world, he balanced his actions with his works.
“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (Jas 2:23-24)
Though Apostle Paul has shown him and others example of living a christian life, (1 Cor 4:16, Phil 3:17), which he expects them to follow, but since he was not living with him, he cannot but write him to reiterate what he expects of him to do. This the Lord expects of all believers that we should do so that we shall be called after our father in heaven, so that we shall be the light in the perishing world by which we shall bring one or more to Christ and establish the weaklings in faith.
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