New Testament
Titus 2
Overview
Against the empty talkers of chapter 1, Paul commands Titus to "teach what accords with sound doctrine" (2:1), then works systematically through the congregation: older men are to be sober and sound in faith; older women reverent and teachers of good, training the younger women to love their husbands and children and keep the home; younger men to be self-controlled; and Titus himself a model of integrity in his teaching. He gives bondservants a striking calling — to be honest and submissive so that "in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" (2:10). The chapter then soars into one of the New Testament's great theological summaries: "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (2:11-12). This grace teaches us to wait for "the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2:13), who gave Himself to redeem us and purify a people for His own possession, zealous for good works. Paul ends by charging Titus to declare these things with all authority, letting no one disregard him.
1But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance,
3and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good,
4that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,
5to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.
6Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded.
7In all things show yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
8and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.
9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting,
10not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;
13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14who 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.
15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.