Let No One Despise You

"Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."

Titus 2:15

After reading these words in the Bible last night, it prompted some discussion about what Paul meant by saying in his letter to Titus, "Let no one despise you."  Certainly Paul did not suggest Titus could control what people thought about him when he exhorted or corrected them, for Jesus said to His disciples who would suffer persecution in Luke 21:17:  "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake."  These verses compliment each other well.  As the disciples were called to remain faithful and obedient to Jesus in spite of persecution, so Titus was not to be intimidated in doing what God directed him to do even when he faced opposition.

In Titus chapter 2, Paul outlined sound doctrine Titus was to hold forth to Christians concerning their personal conduct.  It is likely not everyone would be open to correction or instruction when it involved rebuke, correction or an exhortation to personal change.  No one was excluded from those to whom he was responsible to instruct:  aged men, aged women who in turn were to guide younger women, and younger men.  Titus was also directed engage with people with various positions in Roman society, even exhorting slaves to be obedient to their masters.

Titus 2:7-8 shows the life of Titus was to provide a godly example that aligned with God's wisdom, "...in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."  Titus was to order his conduct in submission to the LORD he served with meekness, humility and devotion.  People might despise Titus because they do not appreciate his correction, but Titus was not to give any cause for someone to hate him because of rudeness, harshness or being inconsiderate.

If all Titus did was correct, it would lead to discouragement.  Thus he was also to balance correction and instruction with encouragement, seeking to edify believers in the church in Christ's love.  It would have been easy for Titus to have been intimidated to approach fellow believers who were older, held positions of authority in government, business or in the church.  Paul exhorted Titus not to allow the fear of man to hinder him from exhortation or rebuke in a loving, gracious manner in obedience to God.  No person is above the need for admonition, and those in need of rebuke can resist and oppose those who speak the truth.  Titus did not need to be told to "harden up:"  he needed to submit to God's authority in obedience rather than being controlled by the fear of man.

When we in obedience to God's prompting have done or said the right thing motivated by love for God and others, sometimes people will hate us.  This should not surprise us, nor should we perpetually kick ourselves because they did not receive correction well.  There is much we can learn in retrospect when we thought we did the right thing and God is faithful to reveal our own faults and need for repentance and greater humility.  David did the right thing in refusing to kill Saul who sought his life, but his heart smote him for cutting off the corner of his robe.  Even in doing what is right our flaws present themselves for correction.  Better than despising ourselves or being intimidated by others, we like Titus are called to love, trust and obey God.