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Titus Chapter Two

Titus 2

"Sound doctrine" takes account of all this, and, in its warnings and exhortations, maintains all these proprieties. This is the instruction which the apostle here gives to Titus, with regard to aged men, aged women, young women (relatively to their husbands, their children, and their whole life, which should be domestic and modest); young men, to whom Titus was to be always a pattern; slaves, with their masters; and then the duties of all towards magistrates, and indeed towards all men. But, before taking up this last point, he establishes the great principles which are the foundation of the conduct of the saints amongst themselves in this world. Their conduct towards magistrates and the world has a different motive.

The conduct of Christians as such, in the assembly has for its basis and motive the special doctrines of Christianity. We find these doctrines and motives in chapter 2:11-15, which speaks of that conduct.

Chapter 2:11-15 contains a remarkable summary of Christianity, not exactly of its dogmas, but as a practical reality for men. Grace has appeared. It has appeared, not limited to a particular people, but to all men; not charged with temporal promises and blessings but bringing salvation. It comes from God to men with salvation. It does not expect righteousness from men, it brings salvation to those that need it. Precious and simple truth, which makes us know God, which puts us in our place, but according to the grace which as overleaped every barrier in order to address itself, in the sovereign goodness of God, to every man on the earth!

Having brought this salvation, it instructs us perfectly with regard to our walk in this world; and that in relation to ourselves, and to other men, and to God. Renouncing all ungodliness, and all lusts that find their gratification in this world, we are to bridle the will of the flesh in every respect and to live soberly; we are to acknowledge the claims of others and to live righteously; we are to won the rights of God over our hearts and to exercise godliness.

But our future also is enlightened by grace. It teaches us to wait for the blessed hope, and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Grace has appeared. It teaches us how to walk here below, and to expect the appearing of the glory in the Person of Jesus Christ Himself. And our hope is well founded. Christ is justly precious to us. We can have full confidence of heart in thinking of His appearing in glory, as well as the most powerful motive for a life devoted to His glory. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify for Himself a people who would belong to Him in His own right and be zealous-according to His will and His nature-of good works.

This is what Christianity is. It has provided for all, the past, the present, and the future, according to God. It delivers us from this world, making of us a people set apart for Christ Himself, according to the love in which He gave Himself for us. It is purification, but a purification which consecrates us to Christ. We belong to Him as His peculiar portion, His possession in the world; animated with the love that is in Him, in order to do good to others and bear testimony to His grace. This is a precious testimony to that which Christianity is, in its practical reality, as the work of the grace of God.

── John Darby《Synopsis of Titus》

Titus 2

Chapter Contents

The duties which become sound doctrine. (1-8) Believing servants must be obedient. (9,10) All is enforced from the holy design of the gospel, which concerns all believers. (11-15)

Commentary on Titus 2:1-8

(Read Titus 2:1-8)

Old disciples of Christ must behave in every thing agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake. Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful; therefore need to be on their guard. Though there is not express Scripture for every word, or look, yet there are general rules, according to which all must be ordered. Young women must be sober and discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal temptations by what at first might be only want of discretion. The reason is added, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin. Every godly man's endeavour must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of!

Commentary on Titus 2:9,10

(Read Titus 2:9,10)

Servants must know and do their duty to their earthly masters, with a reference to their heavenly one. In serving an earthly master according to Christ's will, He is served; such shall be rewarded by him. Not giving disrespectful or provoking language; but to take a check or reproof with silence, not making confident or bold replies. When conscious of a fault, to excuse or justify it, doubles it. Never putting to their own use that which is their master's, nor wasting the goods they are trusted with. Showing all good fidelity to improve a master's goods, and promote his thriving. If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? Luke 16:12. True religion is an honour to the professors of it; and they should adorn it in all things.

Commentary on Titus 2:11-15

(Read Titus 2:11-15)

The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good. We must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. A gospel conversation must be a godly conversation. See our duty in a very few words; denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly, notwithstanding all snares, temptations, corrupt examples, ill usage, and what remains of sin in the believer's heart, with all their hinderances. It teaches to look for the glories of another world. At, and in, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete: To bring us to holiness and happiness was the end of Christ's death. Jesus Christ, that great God and our Saviour, who saves not only as God, much less as Man alone; but as God-man, two natures in one person. He loved us, and gave himself for us; and what can we do less than love and give up ourselves to him! Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a peculiar people unto God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is profitable. Here is what will furnish for all parts of duty, and the right discharge of them. Let us inquire whether our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. And the further we are removed from boasting of fancied good works, or trusting in them, so that we glory in Christ alone, the more zealous shall we be to abound in real good works.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Titus》

Titus 2

Verse 1

[1] But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Wholesome — Restoring and preserving spiritual health.

Verse 2

[2] That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Vigilant — As veteran soldiers, not easily to be surprised.

Patience — A virtue particularly needful for and becoming them.

Serious — Not drolling or diverting on the brink of eternity.

Verse 3

[3] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

In behaviour — The particulars whereof follow.

As becometh holiness — Literally, observing an holy decorum. Not slanderers - Or evil-speakers.

Not given to much wine — If they use a little for their often infirmities.

Teachers — Age and experience call them so to be. Let them teach good only.

Verse 4

[4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

That they instruct the young women — These Timothy was to instruct himself; Titus, by the elder women.

To love their husbands, their children — With a tender, temperate, holy, wise affection. O how hard a lesson.

Verse 5

[5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Discreet — Particularly in the love of their children.

Chaste — Particularly in the love of their husbands.

Keepers at home — Whenever they are not called out by works of necessity, piety, and mercy.

Good — Well tempered, sweet, soft, obliging.

Obedient to their husbands — Whose will, in all things lawful, is a rule to the wife.

That the word of God be not blasphemed — Or evil spoken of; particularly by unbelieving husbands, who lay all the blame on the religion of their wives.

Verse 6

[6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

To be discreet — A virtue rarely found in youth.

Verse 7

[7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Showing thyself a pattern — Titus himself was then young. In the doctrine which thou teachest in public: as to matter, uncorruptness; as to the manner of delivering it, seriousness - Weightiness, solemnity.

Verse 8

[8] 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.

Wholesome speech — In private conversation.

Verse 9

[9] Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

Please them in all things — Wherein it can be done without sin.

Not answering again — Though blamed unjustly. This honest servants are most apt to do.

Not stealing — Not taking or giving any thing without their master's leave: this fair-spoken servants are apt to do.

Verse 10

[10] Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Showing all good fidelity — Soft, obliging faithfulness That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour - More than St. Paul says of kings. How he raises the lowness of his subject! So may they, the lowness of their condition.

Verse 11

[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

The saving grace of God — So it is in its nature, tendency, and design.

Hath appeared to all men — High and low.

Verse 12

[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Instructing us — All who do not reject it.

That, having renounced ungodliness — Whatever is contrary to the fear and love of God.

And worldly desires — Which are opposite to sobriety and righteousness.

We should live soberly — In all purity and holiness. Sobriety, in the scripture sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections.

And righteously — Doing to all as we would they should do to us.

And godly — As those who are consecrated to God both in heart and life.

Verse 13

[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Looking — With eager desire. For that glorious appearing - Which we hope for.

Of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ — So that, if there be (according to the Arian scheme) a great God and a little God, Christ is not the little God, but the great one.

Verse 14

[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Who gave himself for us — To die in our stead.

That he might redeem us — Miserable bondslaves, as well from the power and the very being, as from the guilt, of all our sins.

Verse 15

[15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Let no man despise thee — That is, let none have any just cause to despise thee. Yet they surely will. Men who know not God will despise a true minister of his word.

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Titus》

Chapter 2. Work of Elders

Always Teach
Sound Doctrine

I. Shepherd the Whole Flock

1. To the Old Men
2. To the Young Men
3. To Slaves

II. Set an Example by Doing Good

1. Integrity and Seriousness
2. Soundness of Speech
3. Cannot Be Condemned

III. Praise Godly Lives

1. The Grace of Salvation Has Appeared
2. Wait for the Appearance of the Lord
3. The Savior Gave Himself

── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》

 
Chapter Two General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To note the various instructions pertaining to proper Christian 
 conduct
 
2) To observe how the grace of God does not give us license to sin, but
 is designed to produce sober, righteous, and godly lives
 
SUMMARY
 
Having reviewed the qualifications of elders and their work, Paul
exhorts Titus to "speak the things which are proper for sound
doctrine." Such things include the proper conduct expected of
Christians, both male and female, young and old, and of those who are 
servants. Even Titus was to present himself as a pattern of good works
for others to follow, which would also serve to silence any opponents
of the faith (1-10).
 
Paul then writes of the grace of God that brings salvation to all men.
This wonderful grace instructs us to deny ungodliness and worldly 
lusts, choosing instead to live soberly, righteously and godly. It 
also encourages us to look forward to the blessed hope we have related 
to the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem 
us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a special people who 
are zealous for good works. These things Titus was to teach with all 
authority, allowing none to despise him for doing so (11-15).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIAN CONDUCT (1-10)
 
 A. THE OLDER MEN (1-2)
 1. Titus is to speak things proper for sound doctrine (1)
 2. The older men are to be... (2)
 a. Sober, reverent, temperate
 b. Sound in faith, love, patience
 
 B. THE OLDER WOMEN (3-4a)
 1. In similar way they are to be reverent in behavior (3a)
 a. Not slanderers
 b. Not given to much wine
 2. They are to be teachers of good things, and admonish the young
 women (3b-4a)
 
 C. THE YOUNG WOMEN (4b-5)
 1. They are to love their husbands and their children (4b)
 2. They are to be... (5)
 a. Discreet, chaste, homemakers
 b. Good, obedient to their own husbands
 ...that the word of God may not be blasphemed
 
 D. THE YOUNG MEN (6-8)
 1. In a similar way they are to be sober-minded (6)
 2. In all things Titus is to be a pattern of good works (7a-8)
 a. In doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility
 b. With sound speech that cannot be condemned
 1) So that any opponent may be ashamed
 2) Having nothing evil to say of him
 
 E. THE SERVANTS (9-10)
 1. They are to be... (9-10a)
 a. Obedient to their masters
 b. Well pleasing in all things, not answering back
 c. Not pilfering, but showing fidelity in all things
 2. So they can adorn the doctrine of God in all things (10b)
 
II. THE INSTRUCTION OF THE GRACE OF GOD (11-15)
 
 A. THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED (11)
 1. That which brings salvation (11a)
 2. It has appeared to all men (11b)
 
 B. THE GRACE OF GOD TEACHES US (12-14)
 1. To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (12a)
 2. To live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age
 (12b)
 3. To look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our 
 great God and Savior Jesus Christ (13)
 a. Who gave Himself for us (14a)
 b. That He might...
 1) Redeem us from every lawless deed (14b)
 2) Purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for
 good works (14c)
 
 C. TITUS' RESPONSIBILITY (15)
 1. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority 
 (15a)
 2. Let no despise him (15b)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Instruction concerning Christian conduct (1-10)
 - The instruction of the grace of God (11-15)
 
 
2) What was Titus expected to speak? (1)
 - Things which are proper for sound doctrine
 
3) What was expected of the older men? (2)
 - To be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in 
 patience
 
4) What was expected of the older women? (3-4)
 - To be reverent, not slanderers, not given to much wine
 - To be teachers of good things, admonishing the young women
 
5) What was expected of the younger women? (4-5)
 - To love their husbands, to love their children
 - To be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own 
  husbands
 
6) Why were the younger women to behave this way? (5)
 - That the word of God may not be blasphemed
 
7) What was Titus to exhort the young men? (6)
 - To be sober-minded
 
8) What was Titus expected to do? (7-8)
 - To be a pattern of good works
 - To show integrity, reverence and incorruptibility in his doctrine
 - To have sound speech that cannot be condemned
 
9) What was expected of those who were servants? (9-10)
 - To be obedient to their masters
 - To be well pleasing in all things
 - Not to answer back, not pilfering, but showing fidelity
 
10) By behaving this way, what were the servants actually doing? (10)
 - Adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things
 
11) What does the grace of God teach us? (11-13)
 - To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts
 - To live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age
 - To look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great
 God and Savior Jesus Christ
 
12) Why did Jesus give Himself for us? (14)
  - To redeem us from every lawless deed
 - To purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good
 works
 
13) How was Titus to speak these things? (15)
 - By exhorting and rebuking with all authority, letting no one 
 despise him

－－《Executable Outlines》

Work of elders

Always teach

Sound doctrine

I. Shepherd the whole flock

1. To the old men

2. To the young men

3. To slaves

II.Set an example by doing good

1. Integrity and seriousness

2. Soundness of speech

3. Cannot be condemned

III. Praise godly lives

1. The grace of salvation has appeared

2. Wait for the appearance of the Lord

3. The Savior gave Himself

－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》