Titus 2

Chapter Overview

What happens in Titus 2

Paul instructs Titus on how sound doctrine should shape the conduct of every group in the church community, then grounds it all in the transforming power of God's grace and the hope of Christ's glorious return.

Scripture

Teaching for Every Generation

Study note

Titus must teach what accords with sound doctrine, and Paul specifies what this looks like for different groups. Older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. Older women should live reverently, not be gossips or addicted to wine, and teach younger women to love their families, be pure, and manage their homes well, so the word of God is not dishonored. Young men should be self-controlled, with Titus himself serving as a model of good works, integrity, and sound speech that silences critics.

1 But you, Titus, must teach what lines up with the truth that leads to a healthy faith. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2 Teach the older men to be level-headed, to be the people others respect, and to keep themselves under control. Their faith, their love, and their patience should all be rock solid. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3 Teach the older women the same way. They should live in a way that shows deep respect for God. They must not spend their time tearing other people down or drinking too much. Instead, they should be the kind of women who teach others what is good. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That way, they can coach the younger women to love their husbands, love their children, and have self-control. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 They should help younger women learn to be wise, to stay pure, to take good care of their homes, to be kind, and to respect the leadership of their own husbands. This way, nobody will be able to say anything bad about God's message. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6 In the same way, encourage the young men to keep themselves under control in everything. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 Be a living example for them by doing good in everything. When you teach, be genuine, serious, and honest. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

8 Speak in a way that is so solid no one can find anything wrong with it. That way, anyone who is against you will be put to shame because they cannot find a single bad thing to say about us. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Instructions for Servants

Study note

Servants are to be fully obedient to their masters, pleasing them without arguing back or stealing. Instead, they should demonstrate complete trustworthiness, thereby adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in everything. This striking phrase reveals that even in the humblest social position, a believer's faithful conduct makes the gospel attractive and beautiful to those who observe it.

9 Tell servants to do what their masters say and to try to make them happy in every way. They should not argue or talk back. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 They must not steal anything. Instead, they should show that they can be completely trusted. By living this way, they will make the teaching about God our Savior look beautiful in everything they do. Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

The Grace That Transforms

Study note

Paul delivers one of the New Testament's most magnificent gospel summaries. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. This grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, while we await the blessed hope: the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people who are his very own, eager to do good works. Titus must teach these things with full authority.

11 Here is why: God's grace has shown up, and it offers salvation to every person on earth. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 This grace teaches us to turn away from living as if God does not matter and from chasing the things this world offers. Instead, it trains us to live with self-control, to do what is right, and to honor God while we are still in this world. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 We also look forward to a wonderful day. That is when our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear in all his glory. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 He gave up his life for us to buy us back from every kind of sin. He did it to make us his very own special people — people who are excited about doing good things. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15 Teach all of this, use it to encourage people, and use it to set them straight. Use the full authority God has given you, and do not let anyone treat you as if you do not matter. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Key Themes

Themes in Titus 2

Sound doctrine producing sound livingEvery generation's role in the faith communityAdorning the gospel through faithful conductThe grace of God as teacher and transformerThe blessed hope of Christ's glorious returnRedemption creating a people eager for good works

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Titus 2:14 Exodus 19:5

Christ purifying for himself a special people echoes God's declaration at Sinai that Israel would be his treasured possession among all peoples, now fulfilled in the new covenant community.

Titus 2:14 Ezekiel 37:23

Redemption from all wickedness and purification as God's own people fulfills Ezekiel's prophecy that God would cleanse his people and they would be his people and he would be their God.

Apply This Today

Living Titus 2

The revolutionary teaching of this chapter is that grace is not merely God's favor that saves us from the penalty of sin but an active, ongoing teacher that trains us to live differently. Grace does not lower the standard of holy living; it empowers it. The blessed hope of Christ's return is not meant to produce idle speculation but active godliness and eager good works. Every believer, regardless of age, gender, or social position, has a role in making the gospel attractive through their daily conduct.

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