But you/you however

Paul is about to write that Titus should give practical instructions to the different age groups in the church. Sound doctrine is not mere theory for it must flow into practical living for everyone. There are 2 words he uses to move into that section and they are really important for Titus and for us.

“You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.” (Titus 2 v 1)

In the original it reads ‘but you’. The emphasis is on ‘you’ and the ‘but’ (or here in the NIV, ‘however’) is in contrast to:-

… rebellious people… meaningless talk … deception, v10; But you/You however …

… disrupting whole households … teaching things they ought not to teach… dishonest gain, v11; But you/You however …

… myths … merely human commands, v14; But you/You however …

 … corrupted … do not believe, … minds and consciences are corrupted, v15 But you/You however …

 … by their actions they deny him … detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good, v16 But you/You however …

But you/you however:

• You don’t have to drift theologically.
• You can live an authentic life.
• You can be a disciple that is continually formed like Christ.
• You can keep to a standard of evaluating what you hear.

You don’t have to follow suit.

You can stand in contrast to the culture around you.

You can make and be the difference.

You can walk into the same environment but speak differently.

You can create a better sound.

It can be said of you:- But you/you however.