Titus 2
Big idea: Against the empty talkers of chapter 1, Titus is to teach 'what fits sound doctrine' — and Paul spells it out group by group (older men, older women, young women, young men, Titus himself, slaves), each learning the conduct that adorns the gospel (vv. 1–10). Then he gives the reason under every command: grace has appeared, and grace trains a redeemed people to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled lives while awaiting Christ's appearing (vv. 11–15).
Chapter 1 ended on people who 'deny God by their deeds'; chapter 2 is the positive counter-image — deeds that adorn the doctrine, grounded in grace that actually trains. Chapter 3 will then push the same conduct outward, into the believer's life among rulers and strangers.
2:1–10 — Teach each group what fits sound doctrine
A household code shaped by the gospel. Titus teaches conduct fitting sound doctrine to each group in turn: older men to be temperate and sound; older women to be reverent and to train the young wives to love their families and keep the home; young men to be self-controlled — with Titus himself the model of integrity in teaching; and slaves to be trustworthy and well-pleasing. Each group is given a reason that points outward: so God's word is not blasphemed, opponents are shamed, and the doctrine of God is adorned.
1 But say the things which fit sound doctrine, 2 that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance, 3 and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good, 4 that they may train the young wives 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 God’s word may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded. 7 In all things show yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, 8 and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. 9 Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting, 10 not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.
2:11–15 — Grace that trains us
The theological engine under every command above. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all — and that grace is a teacher: it trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives now, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself to redeem us and purify a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. So: teach, exhort, and rebuke with authority.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who 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. 15 Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).