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

 

 

 

 

The Flow of 2 Timothy

One interesting thing about the flow of 1 Timothy below is that in each section Timothy is called to act in accordance with that section’s depiction of Christ: In the first section, Christ is depicted as Saviour, and Timothy is charged to regulate the right reception of salvation in the church; in the second section, Christ is depicted as the embodiment of piety (eusebeia), and Timothy is charged to regulate the piety of the household of God; in the third section, Christ is depicted as the faithful confessor, and Timothy is charged to likewise make the faithful confession.

In other words, Christology directs ecclesiology.   Similarly, in 2 Timothy, the central image is of dying and living with Christ: Note how each section begins with a summons for Timothy to join Paul in suffering for the gospel…

First Movement: 1:1-18

• “Join with me in suffering for the gospel”
• Christ has appeared, destroying death and bringing immortality
• Charge: Guard the good deposit; suffer with me
• Opposition: Desertion
• Negative example: Phygelus & Hermogenes have deserted me
• Positive example: Onesiphorus was not ashamed of my chains

Second Movement: 2:1-19

• “Join with me in suffering”
• Christ Jesus’ salvation: If we die with him, we will also live with him…
• Charge: Remind, warn, present yourself before God
• Opposition: Godless chatter
• Negative example: Hymenaeus & Philetus are spreading godless teaching
• Positive reassurance: Inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and calls them away from wickedness
• Charge: Cleanse yourself, flee evil, avoid those with false godliness
• Negative example: Jannes & Jambres opposed the truth, and were ultimately revealed as foolish

Third Movement: 3:10-17

• Paul’s teaching, conduct, sufferings, and persecutions: those who pursue a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
• Opposition: Evidoers and imposters
• Charge: Continue in what you have learned
• Christ Jesus will judge the living and the dead
• Charge: Proclaim the word patiently; endure hardship
• Opposition: People who desire false teaching & myths

Fourth Movement: 4:1-22

• Paul is suffering but has fought the good fight, now looking forward to the future appearance of Christ as judge
• Charge: Come to me quickly
• Opposition: “Everyone deserted me”
• Negative example: Demas has abandoned me; Alexander opposed me
• Positive reassurance: The Lord will rescue me.

The Flow of 1 Timothy

At the moment I’m interested in the Pastoral Epistles.  Here is the way I currently hear the flow of 1 Timothy:

First Emphasis: 1:1-2:15

• God is Saviour
• Christ as saviour/mediator
• False teaching: Speech about law/blasphemy
• Charge: Regulate teaching concerning salvation: Encourage prayer & good works as opposed to fighting & elaborate adornment & the usurping of authority
• Faithful saying: Christ came to save sinners
• Examples: Positive: Paul was a violent blasphemer but was shown grace; Negative: Hymenaeus & Alexander have rejected a good conscience and must learn not to blaspheme

Second Emphasis: 3:1-6:2

• Church is Household of God
• Christ as manifest embodiment of piety
• False teaching: Going against conscience & creation
• Charge: Regulate (and exemplify) the piety of the household of God: Overseers, Servers, older widows, younger widows, elders, slaves, masters
• Faithful sayings: Desiring to be an overseer; Training in piety (?)

Third Emphasis: 6:2-21

• Timothy is a man of God
• Christ as faithful confessor before Pilate
• False teaching: Desire for teaching as a means to wealth/gain
• Charge: Fight the good fight, make the good confession – until manifestation of Christ; regulate the wealthy