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A Text centred rhetorical analysis of Paul's Letter to Titus

A Text centred rhetorical analysis of Paul's Letter to Titus

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negatively upon the oJ lovgo" <strong>to</strong>u` qeou`. In other words, more is at stake than<br />

simply the good reputation <strong>of</strong> individuals. The very reputation <strong>of</strong> the word <strong>of</strong><br />

God, oJ lovgo" <strong>to</strong>u` qeou`, depends upon the manifestation <strong>of</strong> proper behaviour<br />

by believers, especially by young wives in submission <strong>to</strong> their husbands. Just<br />

like Paul was entrusted with the manifest word <strong>of</strong> God (1:3), so now the<br />

Cretan believers are required <strong>to</strong> manifest the word <strong>of</strong> God through godly<br />

character. If they would not, God’s word would be discredited (blasfhmevw) in<br />

the eyes <strong>of</strong> outsiders. The divine nature <strong>of</strong> the consequences attached <strong>to</strong> this<br />

teaching makes it necessary that believers behave in accordance <strong>to</strong> sound<br />

doctrine.<br />

2.2.5.4 The behaviour <strong>of</strong> young men<br />

Verse 6 is related <strong>to</strong> the previous category through the adverb wJsauvtw". Thus,<br />

everything said so far also applies <strong>to</strong> young men, newtevroi, whom <strong>Titus</strong> must<br />

“exhort” (parakavlei). The verb parakavlei is another instance <strong>of</strong> a direct<br />

repetition <strong>of</strong> a word used earlier with reference <strong>to</strong> the task <strong>of</strong> elders-overseers<br />

(1:9). It accentuates the proximity between <strong>Titus</strong> and the overseers and<br />

supports the idea <strong>of</strong> <strong>Titus</strong> functioning as role model <strong>to</strong> the elders. <strong>Titus</strong> must<br />

exhort the young men <strong>to</strong> swfronei`n. This is also an instance <strong>of</strong> repetition <strong>of</strong> a<br />

similar word. Earlier, a cognate <strong>of</strong> this verb was used in connection with the<br />

role <strong>of</strong> older women who must swfronivzw younger women.<br />

2.2.5.5 The behaviour <strong>of</strong> <strong>Titus</strong><br />

The teaching is extended in verse 7 <strong>to</strong> <strong>Titus</strong> who must “present himself”<br />

(seau<strong>to</strong>;n parecovmeno") as “an example” (tuvpo~) <strong>of</strong> “good works” (kalav e[rgav).<br />

The latter expression takes up a similar expression introduced in 1:16 as<br />

e[rgon ajgaqo;n. The two words are close synonyms. The implicit contrast is<br />

undeniable: <strong>Titus</strong>, as a tuvpo" kalw`n e[rgwn, must distinguish himself from<br />

those who are “worthless for any good work”, pro;" pa`n e[rgon ajgaqo;n<br />

ajdovkimoi (1:16). The repetition <strong>of</strong> the adjective pav~ is emphatic and suggests<br />

the perpetuation <strong>of</strong> the contrast between the two opposing groups. Another<br />

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