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

Unit 5 (2:2-10) contains descriptions of behaviour by various categories of
believers that constitute manifestations of compliance to sound doctrine. The
next unit (2:11-15) explains the specified conduct in theological terms. This
has the effect of elevating the behaviour to a divine level, which highlights the
transcendent character of the behaviour. At one level, the required behaviour
is what society in general would commend. However, the conduct of believers
becomes a manifestation of a divine reality, namely the appearance of grace
in the life of believers. If believers were asked to explain their conduct, they
would respond something like this: “Our teacher is grace who teaches us to
conduct ourselves in this manner. In other words, believers are not merely
manifesting behaviour that society deems good.” The behaviour of believers is
thus motivated by a transcendent cause or motive, namely the appearance of
grace and the complete transformation that they have experienced (2:11-15).
They are behaving like God’s people, living in anticipation of the appearing of
Jesus Christ (2:12), a redeemed people, a cleansed people, zealous for good
works (2:13). Thus, the believers are not simply practising good manners,
instead their behaviour is explicable by theological reasons; there is a
theological basis to explain why believers conduct themselves the way they
do. Thus, there is nothing “ordinary” about the way Christians ought to
behave.
Third stage: 3:1-7: Convince the audience of the transcendent character of
their relationships with secular society
This stage in the rhetorical strategy underlies units 7-9 identified in the
rhetorical analysis:
7: Titus 3:1-2: Persuading the Cretans of the compulsory treatment of
all unbelievers in a manner consistent with sound doctrine
8: Titus 3:3: Evoking disgust with past sinful behaviour in order to
reinforce behaviour in the present that complies with sound doctrine
9: Titus 3:4-7: Persuading the Cretans that displaying good works to
those considered undeserving demonstrates conformity to the divine
example
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