Titus 2

Instruction for various kinds of people

But as for you, speak the things that are appropriate to sound doctrine:

2:1 Verse 15; Titus 1:9; 1 Tim 1:3. Teaching the truth is the best defense against false teachings.⚜

2 that the older men be sober, honourable, able to think soundly, sound in faith, in love, in patient endurance. 3 Teach the older women also to be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, but teachers of good things, 4 so that they can teach the young women to think soundly, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, pure, homemakers, good, and obedient to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

6 Likewise exhort the young men to think soundly. 7 In all things make yourself an example in good works. In doctrine show integrity, seriousness, sincerity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that your opponents may be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about you.

2:7-8 Teaching others the truth is not enough. Teachers must be examples of what they teach – 1 Tim 4:12.⚜

9 Instruct slaves to obey their own masters and to please them well in everything, not to talk back, 10 not to steal, but to show complete trustworthiness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Saviour in every way.

2:2-10 Good teaching will be suited to the particular needs or weaknesses of different classes of people. Teachers in the church should minister to every kind of person.⚜

What God’s grace teaches

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared for all men, 12 and teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world,

2:12 God’s grace is like a wise teacher, teaching believers both how to live and how not to live. It does not say to us “Because I have given you the gift of salvation you may live as you please”. See Rom 6:1, 15-18; Eph 4:22-24. It teaches us to say “no” to sin, self, and Satan, and “yes” to goodness, godliness and God. If we have not learned these things we might well ask, Is grace our teacher at all? Has grace saved us? Learning by grace how to live is the true evidence that we have spiritual life in Christ.⚜

13 as we look for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all wickedness and purify for himself a special people, eager to do good deeds.

15 Speak these things, and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.