When Grace Enters the Room

Day 300: Titus 2:1-15

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” - Titus 2:11-12 ESV

In the fifteen verses of this chapter, Paul uses the same-ish word (sophron X2, sophroneo, sophronos) four times. Whenever we see this kind of repetition in scripture, we need to lean in a little closer to see why. In each instance, the words are translated as self-controlled in the ESV. These words are not anywhere close to Paul's word choice for self-control (enktrateia) in the fruit of the Spirit list (Galatians 5:22).

So why this word here? What's the purpose of Paul’s repetition as he talks through the different ages of church members in Crete for Titus?

The word Paul uses for self-controlled here in Titus 2 communicates being sensible or of sound mind. It's almost like he's saying, "May they use the minds God's given them in the right way."

In Mark 5:15, we see the same word used when describing the demon-possessed man Jesus had healed: "And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had the legion, sitting there, clothed and IN HIS RIGHT MIND, and they were afraid."

For these Christians in Crete to stand out, they were going to need to have new minds. Gaining control of our bodies will always begin with God renewing our minds. The Creator of our mind knows its best use.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2 NIV