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

makes a very persuasive case for the adoption of sound doctrine and the
resultant compliant behaviour since sound doctrine manifests as uJpotavssw,
while false doctrine manifests as behaviour vilified as ajnupovtakto~. The
audience must choose. Another word that was used to describe the opposition
is repeated in this address to slaves, namely ajntilevgw. The repetition serves
a similar objective as the earlier word, namely to discourage such behaviour
by drawing the parallel with the false teachers. This is an instance of negative
role modelling or stigmatisation. By associating this word with the opposition,
it becomes negative; an attitude or behaviour that must be avoided. Paul does
the same, in a positive sense, through the word douvlo~.
While the false teachers are “worthless for any good work” (pa`n e[rgon ajgaqo;n
ajdovkimoi), the slaves must “show/demonstrate all good faith” (pa`san pivstin
ejndeiknumevnoi ajgaqhvn). The disparity between the two groups is intensified by
the work-faith antithesis. Slaves who obey the legitimate teaching
demonstrate by that their alliance to “the faith”. The rhetorical objective is to
alienate the false teachers through stigmatisation and to attract the believers
through positive association with those who demonstrate compliance to sound
doctrine by good behaviour.
The third i{na-clause, 2:9 is positive, unlike the previous two (2:5, 6) that are
phrased in such a way as to discourage the negative consequences of non-
compliance to sound doctrine. God expects behaviour compliant to sound
doctrine, because it “adorns” or “beautifies” (kosmevw) the teaching of God (hJ
didaskaliva hJ tou` swth`ro" hJmw`n qeou'). This is the third example of an
argument based upon divine authorisation. The triple repetition of this
argument is in itself an emphatic strategy. It emphasises the truth that these
behavioural characteristics are mandatory, not primarily because the rest of
society expects it, but rather because God expects people to behave in these
ways.
The apostle reserves the highest commendation for the lowest sector of
society by ascribing to them the honour of adorning the doctrine of God. The
divine nature of the teaching is emphasised by referring to it as belonging to
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