Paul's Teaching

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 2:15 (NIV)

God commanded us to study His Word, meditate on it, and memorize it. Some Christians read it simply because they appreciate its captivating content. Others, however, memorize it with the intention of using it for discussions. Is this the purpose of God's command? Absolutely not! God intends His Word to allow us to know Him better in order to draw closer to Him.

However, another teaching is found throughout the Bible: the use of God's Word to exhort, encourage, and rebuke others in order to help them live at peace with God. Moses taught it, the prophets taught it, and all the apostles of the New Testament speak of it constantly, especially Paul. The same teaching he gave to Timothy, he passes on here to Titus.

If you study the Bible, you will understand that this teaching is for you today. The Bible teaches you so that you are ready and well equipped to teach others. You cannot teach what you do not know, and if you do not apply what you know, you cannot exhort, rebuke, or encourage others to change. When Paul tells Titus, "Let no one despise you," he is urging him to have the knowledge and attitude necessary to face those he will have to teach, otherwise they will despise him.

You are the Timothy and Titus of this age; therefore, always be ready to correct, exhort, and encourage others so that they will not despise you.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.