The Flow of Titus: A Reluctant Chiasm

I don’t like it when people find chiasms everywhere in Scripture – so often they just seem made up.  But if this was an oral pattern known and used in epistolary communication, then I suppose we should be open to it.  As I’ve looked through Titus, I’ve reluctantly come to view it in this way.  Once again – as with 1 and 2 Timothy – it is Christ who is central, saving a people in order that they might produce good works…

Paul’s Directive to appoint Elders:

·        Blameless, faithful, managing household

·        Holding firmly to the message – able to teach & refute

 

Rebels: Meaningless talk, deception – especially the circumcision group

·        Teaching for dishonest gain

·        Liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons

·        Jewish myths & human commands

·        Corrupted & disbelieving: Nothing is pure

·        Unfit for any good

 

Titus: Teach sound doctrine, reverent good works:

·        Older men: Temperate, worthy of respect

·        Older women: Reverent, teaching younger women

·        Younger women: Loving, pure, subject

·        Younger men: Self-controlled

·        Slaves: Subject, trustworthy

 

Grace of God has appeared, teaching us to say no to ungodliness while we await the appearing of Jesus our Saviour: He gave himself to redeem & purify a people eager for good works

 

Titus: Teach these things: Remind the people to be obedient

·        Subject to authorities

·        Ready to do good

·        Peaceful & gentle toward others

 

We too: Were disobedient…

• Foolish, disobedient, passions
• Malice, envy, hatred
• But God saved us not because of righteous deeds, but because of his mercy
• He saved us through washing of rebirth & renewal by Holy Spirit through JC
• Those who have trusted God should devote themselves to doing good
• Thus avoid controversies about law/genealogies

Paul & Co-workers:

·        Come to me; help Zenas & Apollos

·        Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good