Bible Study Titus 2: 1-15

 

A Commentary of the Book of Titus

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Titus 2: 1-15

Text:

Instructions for the Older and Younger

2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in [a]perseverance.

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may instruct the young women in sensibility: to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be slandered.

6 Likewise urge the younger men to be [b]sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be a model of good works, with [c]purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in word which is irreproachable, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

9 Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not contradicting, 10 not pilfering, but demonstrating all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, [d]bringing salvation to all men, 12 [e]instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of [f]our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.

15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all [g]authority. Let no one disregard you.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.”

“Sound” means healthy. Paul uses this word nine times in the Pastoral Epistles (5 times in Titus), always in the sense that the truth produces spiritual well-being. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Truth. All sound doctrine will have Christ as the centerpiece. There is an old saying: “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.” It is often attributed to St. Francis Assisi, but there is no evidence that he said it. Notwithstanding who said it, it is unbiblical. Paul says, “Speak the things.” We are not to hide behind our actions, but our actions should reflect our faith.

Verse 2: “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.”

They are to be sound in their love and in patience. They are to be “temperate,” that is, very vigilant, very serious. They should be men who are respected and self-controlled. Put simply, as one grows older he should allow the wisdom and knowledge gained throughout life to be shared with others. Older men should not be given to excessive joking and wasting time. As the saying goes, “Act your age.” 

Verse 3: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,”

The mature women are to act in a way that demonstrates holiness, not participate in gossip by spreading or listening to it, and not be drunkards. Affirmatively, they are to teach the younger women the way of holiness which is good.

Verse 4: “so that they may instruct the young women in sensibility: to love their husbands, to love their children,”

Paul’s words “may instruct the young women in sensibility” means to “bring them to their senses.” This is a verbal form of the adjective translated “sober-minded” and “self-controlled” throughout this section. What does that sensibility include? It includes loving their husbands and loving their children. 

Verse 5: “to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be slandered.”

Paul continues his meaning of what the older women are to teach the younger women. They are to instruct them to be “workers at home.” This means that they are to work on the entire home, not just the children. Over the years, I have seen wives focus so much on the children that the husband felt lost and unimportant. Further, I have seen wives destroy their homes and chase their husbands away. Paul wants the older women to show the younger women how to work in and on their homes. They are to be kind and subject to their own husbands, not all husbands, just theirs. When they do so, the Word of God will be promoted and not slandered.

Verse 6: “Likewise urge the younger men to be sensible;”

“Younger men” referred to males 12 and older. To be “sensible” means to be sensible in all things. Paul’s advice was for one’s entire life, not just at church. One’s life should reflect consistency, holiness, and practicality.

Verse 7: “in all things show yourself to be a model of good works, with purity in doctrine, dignified,”

Paul says to his son in the Lord, Titus, “You be a pattern, an example, for the other young men.” “Purity in doctrine” refers to showing his complete faith in the Word of God and appreciating the seriousness of the matters he is dealing with. This does not exclude occasional joking and laughter, but overall there is to be a tone of seriousness the man of God should present to the world.

Verse 8: “sound in word which is irreproachable, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

Paul now gives “the why” behind his instructions. The purpose is to give the enemy no ammunition to distract from the message. If the adversary can get people to focus on the messenger as opposed to the message, he will be successful in bringing a reproach to the gospel message. Let us give no bullets to the enemy’s gun of rebellion.

Verse 9: “Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not contradicting,”

Paul now turns his attention to another group, the slaves. They were to respond to their masters in obedience, be interested in them and in their work. “Not contradicting” refers to not arguing with them.

Verse 10: “not pilfering, but demonstrating all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything.”

“Pilfering” refers to embezzlement. “All good faith” means loyalty. The purpose is not to distract from the gospel by living hypocritical lives. Paul stresses that the supreme purpose of living a holy life is to make attractive the teaching that God saves sinners.

Verse 11: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,”

The “grace of God” refers not simply to the divine attribute of grace, but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, grace becoming human as well as Divine. This verse does not support universalism (meaning everyone will be saved), but that the message of salvation is sent to mankind in general as opposed to specific individuals. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient to save all those that believe in Him. In other words, the blood is sufficient for all God’s elect.

Verse 12: “instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age,”

God is not trying to reform this world; He is redeeming men who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel does not appeal to Christ-rejecting men. It takes the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to bring someone to Christ. “Instructing” means child training, in other words disciplining us. That instruction includes the fact that you can live godly in the world. You can be different for God but not in your power, but in His.

Verse 13: “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,”

All Christians have a “blessed hope.” We know that the world is not our ultimate destiny. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. His first visit was that of a suffering servant. He rode on a humble donkey when arrived in Jerusalem before the crucifixion. His second return will be that of a conquering King. He will arrive on a white horse and He comes to subdue evil and begin His 1000 year reign. 

Verse 14: “who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.”

He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us. He paid a price for us that He might redeem us “from all iniquity.” To redeem means to buy something back. The Lord Jesus Christ redeemed His sheep back from Satan who is that father of the lost. He did this that we would be a people that would be His special possession and that we would do good works for Him with enthusiasm. 

Verse 15: “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Paul is saying to Titus (and also to us), “You are a young man. Don’t let them despise you because of the holy life you live.” Titus was commanded to teach all these things with authority. He was to speak the Word, encourage with the Word and rebuke with the Word.