Gentle, Showing All Meekness Titus 3:2 - Equipped for Battle

We have been learning proper behaviors and attitudes from Paul the apostle as he instructs Titus for the church located at Crete. In yesterday's verse we discovered how we must be subject to those who are leaders in authority over us, and today we are instructed as to our behavior toward others. As we look at chapter three and verse two let us remember that our behavior is a direct reflection of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote:

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.

As members of the church those under Titus' pastorate must learn to be subject to authorities and also “to speak evil of no man.” Paul knows the tendency within most people is to target others as subjects of evil speaking. It seems so easy to begin talking badly about other people when we have differences from them, and this is especially true if they have wronged us in some way. However, Paul says, “speak evil of no man.” In other words, a church member was to be different than the natural person, and when they are, others will take notice particularly in this area.

Next Paul exhorts that church members “be no brawlers” which means to not act like they are invincible. These church members should not be contentious, and they should abstain from fighting. Jesus said in the book of John in chapter thirteen and verse fifty-five:

By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.

When church members fight and argue and are otherwise known as “brawlers” it brings a reproach upon the gospel message. Church members should love one another not be fighting.

Paul turns his instruction to a positive note by saying they should rather be “gentle”. The idea mentioned here is that they have suitable, equitable, fair and mild behavior toward others. Rather than fighting, they should be people who support and help one another in their Christian walks.

Paul finishes this verse by stating that the church members should be “showing all meekness unto all men.” Meekness is strength under control, and even though there may be places where one party or the other is in the right, they are not to exploit their positions. Notice too the group to whom this exhortation is towards, “all men” which includes everyone. There is no one exempt from this benefit, and even though it may appear that some do not deserve it, Paul includes them all.

So how do we treat others? Do we speak evil of them? Do we brawl with them? Are we gentle and meek with all people? Perhaps as we consider these things we will have names or faces come to mind where we have violated this principle. We must remember that we are representatives for the Kingdom of God, and people are watching how we treat those we know and those we don't. What will they see when they examine our behavior toward others?

Next time we will continue to look Paul's instruction for ways to treat others, and in doing so may hold the mirror toward ourselves, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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