"Servants are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior."
Titus 2:9-10
The word adorn seems to be vanishing from the English language. The idea of “adorning” Christ isn’t something we hear preached much, at least not overtly. But in Titus 2:10, the author, the Apostle Paul, uses the word κοσμέω (kos-meh'-o), frequently translated “adorn,” to articulate how we, as followers and servants of Christ, are to live.
Titus 2:9-10
The word adorn seems to be vanishing from the English language. The idea of “adorning” Christ isn’t something we hear preached much, at least not overtly. But in Titus 2:10, the author, the Apostle Paul, uses the word κοσμέω (kos-meh'-o), frequently translated “adorn,” to articulate how we, as followers and servants of Christ, are to live.
In the English language, we’ve derived the word "cosmetics" (makeup) from that Greek root. Sadly, just as cosmetics are only a superficial application, many Christians today have a superficial relationship with Christ. Consequently, it’s impossible to adorn “the teaching about God our Savior” when we are oblivious to both the content, context, and meaning of the Bible.
In Titus 2:10, the word “adorn” means “to make attractive.” Therefore, Paul is imploring Elders (and all servants of Christ, not slaves in the sense we think of today) to conduct themselves with wisdom and integrity for the sake of the Gospel.
They were, and we are, to live and serve in a way that makes Christ attractive to “their own masters,” which are the members of their congregations and communities. Their actions were, and ours are, to be in stark contrast to the hypocritical Pharisees whom Jesus deplored.
The dense beauty and riches of these words are unlocked when understood in light of Jesus’ revelation, “The greatest among you shall be your servant;” then the“Ah-ha!” moment comes.
Surely, the only true Master is King Jesus. But as Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Paul lived this truth because he took Jesus’ imperative command to “disciple all the nations” quite literally, as should we.
In John 17:23 Jesus prayed, “that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” Jesus was praying for believers to be in accord. He prayed for our unity in love and fellowship because that would be the greatest testimony of His truth and grace revealed in us!
Paul encountered the risen Christ. He was transformed from despicable sinner to Apostle and missionary extraordinaire. Adorning Christ begins with a reconciled relationship with Him by grace through faith. Without it, all efforts, works, programs, and productions are like putting lipstick on a pig. As Paul instructs in Romans 14:23 "...and everything that does not come from faith is sin."
In English, the word “adorn” has quite a broad semantic range. It can mean: to beautify, enliven, make attractive, to go in accord, to glorify, to crown, to wear or clothe in, to become, to honor, and to magnify.
When we’re truly surrendering to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, truly casting our crowns at the foot of the Cross, truly seeking to bring honor and glory to the Father, truly living in unity/accord as a testimony of God’s grace, truly clothing ourselves in the righteousness of Christ, truly striving to become like Him in His death... it is only then we truly magnify our Savior and King and make Him attractive to those we serve and watch over in humility and love. It is only then we truly adorn Christ.
Are we? Are we truly adorning Christ, both individually and collectively, or are we just slapping lipstick on a pig
Blessings,
Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
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