Bible Commentaries
Titus 2

Verses 1-15

Titus 2:1 . But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. Just the reverse of those men of tongue, reciting fables, instead of giving the fair illustration of truth, which “when unadorned is adorned the most.” The inferences and conclusions of a preacher ought to commend themselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Titus 2:2 . That the aged be sober. Let them calmly review their relation to time as diminishing, and that which relates to eternity as becoming more weighty. Grave in wisdom, temperate in habit, sound in faith, doubtful of novel opinions, living in charity with all, and patiently running their race under all infirmities.

Titus 2:3 . The aged women likewise should be holy, wise, and adorned with all maternal virtues. Not false accusers, μη διαβολους , not devils, detractors of absent characters, and forgetful that in so doing they are drawing their own portrait. Not given to much wine. 1 Timothy 3:3. The mountains of Crete were favourable to the culture of the vine. Wine was the common beverage, and apt enough to make them garrulous. Matrons should study the portrait of the virtuous woman, as finely painted by the hand of Solomon. Proverbs 31:10; Proverbs 31:31.

Titus 2:4-5 . That, being wise and prudent themselves, they may teach the young women to be sober, and instil the maxims of wisdom and industry. I would recommend Mrs. Hannah More’s strictures on female education, but they are written for persons in the higher walks of life. The poor girls in sunday schools should be taught that they have nothing to trust to but their two hands; and trades-men’s daughters, taught dancing, music, painting, and French, from early years, should be taught to consider whether the proceeds of their husbands’ trade can support their jaunts and tours of pleasure. Lord Bacon observes, “If a man wish to thrive, he should live at two-thirds of his income.” This is prudent; for casualties may occur.

Titus 2:6 . Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. To put away childish things, to avoid puerilities, and follow after piety, the first and principal excellence. Teach them to honour their parents, to love their ministers, to be diligent in business, to seek a knowledge of their profession in life, and an understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus. They must watch against the vices which destroy myriads, and seek the opposite virtues. They must be cautious of forming premature and unwise connections, and consult their parents and pastors. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Let them associate with the Lord’s people, and frequent the holy communion from early years.

Titus 2:7-8 . In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works, as in 1 Timothy 4:12. Otherwise a man’s ministry is despised, being intimately associated with his character. Women, wine, and gold, the triade of ruin to ministers, must not only be avoided, but the ephod covering his robes must contain the pectorum, bestudded with precious stones, all the graces of the Holy Spirit. Then by life and sound speech, according to the oracles of God, he will shame the profligate, and shut the mouths of all opposers of truth and righteousness. In effect, he must study the art of winning souls.

Titus 2:9 . Exhort servants to be obedient. See on Ephesians 6:5.

Titus 2:11 . The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Consequently, vices, after the light is come, should exist no more. Grace is a happy word to designate the gospel, and is often used; as, the gospel of the grace of God, and the word of grace. This gospel shines out like the sun, enlightening the world with its beams. St. Jerome turns the words, Misericordia Dei salutifera, the mercy of God conferring salvation. When the dayspring from on high first dawned on the church, Zachariah and Elizabeth sung this hymn: “That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies [we] might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our lives.” Luke 1:74-75. The gospel brings us salvation from the darkness of the present evil world, a salvation from condemnation and fear, giving us the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, and all other blessings of the new covenant. The authorised version is not exact here; the literal reading of the Greek is, “For the grace of God, that which saveth all men, hath appeared, or shone out.”

Titus 2:13 . Looking for that blessed hope, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is to the soul as an anchor, both sure and steadfast. Hebrews 6:18-19. The glorious appearing of the great God, and [even] our Saviour Jesus Christ. Launay, in his excellent critique on the bible, ed. Geneva, 1667, reads, L’ apparition de la gloire du grand Dieu, qui est notre Sauver. The appearing of the glory of the great God, who is our Saviour. Paul speaks here as the oracles of truth, respecting the glory of Christ which was to be revealed. Isaiah 40:5. And they shall look on him whom they have pierced. Zechariah 12:10. St. John refers to these words, and in the same sense. They also which pierced him shall wail because of him. Revelation 1:7. Ah, Socinian, where is the foundation of thy faith? All thy philosophy is but a vain conspiracy against “the Lord of glory.”

Titus 2:14 . Who gave himself for us, as an atoning sacrifice, the ransom and price of our redemption. He, the SON of GOD, he, the GREAT GOD, freely gave himself a ransom for us, the slaves of sin and death. So he said in his sacrificial prayer. “For their sakes I sanctify myself,” as a victim without spot for the altar. Here his deity shines out: had he been a creature, he had been the property of his Creator, and not at his own disposal. The gift is accepted, if there be a willing mind.

That he might redeem us from all iniquity, by a satisfaction offered to the divine justice, for our breach and revolt; and justify us by the sprinkling of his blood, to purge our conscience from dead works, and to cleanse us in all the forms and power of sanctifying grace. How preferable is this sound doctrine to the fables of the jewish Talmud!

And purify unto himself a peculiar people, by baptism, and by covenant grace. Also by sentiments and pursuits “peculiar” to the church, a people enjoying the perpetual riches of grace, and who are peculiarly the Lord’s. Balaam said, “the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be numbered with the nations.” Peculiar in the enjoyment of promises, comforts, and hopes unknown to the world. The Syriac reads, “a new people;” that is, a new Israel of God, and made the children of the promises.

Zealous of good works. The love of God will constrain us to love our neighbour, and to do our uttermost for his salvation. Yea, and in all the forms of charity towards the bodies of men in alms, in schools, in missions, and in all mutual good will. St. Paul was well read in the best Greek authors, five of whom, Plutarch, Lycurgus, Phocion, Diodorus Siculus, and Strabo, nearly use the identical words of our apostle. Vide Poli.