Titus — Chapter 2
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1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
1But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:
2that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:
3that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
4that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5[to be] sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:
6the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded:
7in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine [showing] uncorruptness, gravity,
8sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.
9[Exhort] servants to be in subjection to their own masters, [and] to be well-pleasing [to them] in all things; not gainsaying;
10not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;
13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
1But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching.
2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.
3Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.
4In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited.
6Encourage younger men likewise to be self-controlled,
7showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
8and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss because he has nothing evil to say about us.
9Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back,
10not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.
12It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
13as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
14He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.
15So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.
1But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance:
3and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
4that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,
5to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.
6Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded;
7in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
8and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.
9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;
10not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;
13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ;
14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
Summary
Paul instructs Titus to teach sound doctrine that produces godly living in every demographic — older men, older women, young women, young men, and slaves — "for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness."
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the instructions for each group, grace as teacher, the blessed hope, and Christ's redemptive purpose.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Grace of God" on vv.11-12 (MTP Vol. 30, No. 1803) "The grace of God that bringeth salvation — the same grace that saves also teaches. Grace is not just a ticket to heaven; it is a teacher of holiness. It teaches us to deny ungodliness — to say no to sin. To live soberly — self-controlled toward ourselves. Righteously — justly toward others. Godly — devoutly toward God. Grace does not produce license; it produces holiness. If your 'grace' doesn't teach you to live differently, it isn't grace at all." Sermon: "The Blessed Hope" on v.13 (MTP Vol. 14, No. 832) "Looking for that blessed hope. Not a dreaded event but a blessed hope. Not a fearful expectation but a glorious appearing. The return of Christ is the Christian's brightest hope — the day when faith becomes sight, when promise becomes reality, when the Saviour appears in glory."
Videos
The Bible Project — Titus Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "The grace of God... teaching us" (vv.11-12). Is grace teaching you to deny ungodliness? Or have you used grace as an excuse for sin? True grace always produces transformation.
- 2. "Live soberly, righteously, and godly" (v.12). Three directions: toward self (self-control), toward others (justice), toward God (devotion). Which direction needs the most attention in your life?
- 3. "Looking for that blessed hope" (v.13). Are you actively looking for Christ's return? Does this hope shape your daily decisions and priorities?
- 4. "Adorn the doctrine" (v.10). Does your life make the gospel attractive to others? Or does your behavior contradict your beliefs? How can you better "decorate" the gospel with your conduct?
- 5. "Zealous of good works" (v.14). Are you zealous — passionate, eager — for good works? Or is your obedience reluctant and minimal? Christ redeemed you to be enthusiastic about doing good.