Bible Commentaries
Titus 2

Verse 1

Tit 2:1. Instead of doing false teaching as the Judaizers were, Titus was to counteract it by speaking that which becomes (is befitting to) sound doctrine. That means teaching that will cause spiritual health to all who accept it.

Verse 2

Tit 2:2. The apostle then specifies what will constitute sound doctrine. The items are appropriate for the persons in the various age groups and other places in the walks of life. The aged or elderly men were to "act their age" by being sober or watchful, grave or sober-minded, temperate or self-controlled. sound in the faith means to be true to the word of God which is the basis of faith (Rom 10:17). In charity requires them to be interested in the welfare of others. Patience means for them to be constant in their devotion to the Lord, enduring whatever it brings without complaining.

Verse 3

Tit 2:3. Aged is from the same Greek word as that for the men in the preceding verse, and signifies that the women are to keep in mind their years of life and behave accordingly. As becometh holiness means that a righteous life requires that they realize their responsibility in view of their age. False accusers is from the same word as "devil," and when used to describe character it means slanderers. Given to much wine is explained at 1Ti 3:3. Teachers of good things is general, and they will be specified in the next two verses.

Verse 4

Tit 2:4. Teach is from a Greek word that has a general meaning, and is defined by Thayer, "to make or cause one to come to his senses; to moderate, control, curb, discipline; to hold one to his duty; to admonish, to exhort earnestly." When the young women are sober or self-controlled themselves, and then exert such influence upon others of their age class, it will cause them to love their husbands and children. They will show that love by the proper kind of behaviour.

Verse 5

Tit 2:5. They will be discreet or moderate, and chaste, which means to be pure in heart and life. Keepers at home is from OIKOUROS which Thayer defines, "The (watch or) keeper of a house. Keeping at home and taking care of household affairs, domestic." A woman cannot display the kind of character and conduct as this and the preceding verse describes, if she follows the example of many modern wives, who spend much of their time running round in the neighborhood, or devoting their attention to clubs and other social gatherings. Good has virtually the same meaning as chaste, except that the apostle adds the specification that they be obedient to their own husbands. Eph 5:22-24 teaches that the husband is the head of the wife, hence she is required to be subject to him. That the word of God be not blasphemed. The world in general understands that a wife is supposed to be subject to her husband; but if she is otherwise while making a profession of being guided by the Bible, it will reflect unfavorably on that profession. To blaspheme means to speak evil, and hence such inconsistent conduct on the part of a married woman will give occasion to speak against the Book she claims to love.

Verse 6

Tit 2:6. Sober minded means having a mind of self-control.

Verse 7

Tit 2:7. Since Titus was himself a young man, as may be gathered from the fact of his being Paul's "son after the common faith" chapter 1:4), it was proper that he show an example of righteous living before other young men by practicing good works. In doctrine showing uncorruptness denotes that his teaching was to be pure. Gravity denotes dignity and seriousness. Sincerity is from an original term that means especially a continuous life of pure conduct.

Verse 8

Tit 2:8. Sound speech is that which will have a good effect on those who accept it. Cannot be condemned. Such speech may be opposed and misrepresented, but it cannot be shown to be wrong. The opposers will therefore be put to shame when they are unable to say anything (truthfully) against it.

Verse 9

Tit 2:9. See the comments at 1Ti 6:1 on the subject of servants. Not answering again means to refrain from "talking back" to their masters, but to do what they are told without arguing the matter.

Verse 10

Tit 2:10. Purloining means the taking of the property of another in a secret or underhand manner. A slave would have many opportunities for doing that, in connection with the services he has to render with the possessions of his master. Showing all good fidelity means for them to be honest and faithful with the goods of their masters as they go about their work. Adorn is from a Greek word that means to honor. In its details, it denotes that use of or handling of anything that recognizes order and harmony. If a slave is faithful in his service to his master, at the same time he is professing a belief in the doctrine or teaching of Christ, it will show that a man can be such a be liever, and at the same time be under the yoke of servitude. The result will. be to make a favorable impression on the mind of the master.

Verse 11

Tit 2:11. All of the words in this verse are correctly rendered, but the order in which they are arranged is different from the original. In its present form it means that the Gospel has appeared to all men. That is true, which may be seen also at Rom 10:18 and Col 1:23. But that is not the particular truth the apostle is stressing at this place. The order of words according to the Greek text should read as follows: "For appeared the grace of God which brings salvation for all men." This brings out the important truth that the Gospel is for all men, not for the Jews only as was the law of Moses.

Verse 12

Tit 2:12. Teaching us that, etc. This denotes that something more than the favor of God is involved in the salvation of man, and that he is required to do something in order to obtain this salvation. Denying does not mean to question the existence of the things mentioned, but that we must deny them the opportunity of affecting our lives. Ungodliness and worldly lusts. There is not much difference between the meaning of these terms. The first is a somewhat stronger word in the original, meaning a life that is wrong because it is vicious and wicked. The second concerns chiefly things that are wrong in that they-conform to the world, and hence are interested in this life instead of that which is to come. To live soberly means to use judgment and wisdom such as that which is "from above" (Jas 3:17). Righteously signifies a life that is patterned after the law of righteousness which is the Gospel. Godly is so termed because it requires a man to live in the way that will be pleasing to Him.

Verse 13

Tit 2:13. Christians may have the blessed hope in this life even, but they are looking for the fulfillment of it in the future. The glorious appearing of the great God and that of our Saviour refers to the same person. The Deity (Godhead) is composed of three persons, namely, the Father and Son and Holy Ghost (or Spirit), hence God is a proper term to be applied to either of them.

Verse 14

Tit 2:14. Gave himself for us shows that Christ is the particular one of the Godhead who is meant in the preceding verse, since He is the one who was given as a sacrifice. To redeem means to rescue something from a state of bondage. A condition of iniquity or sin was that from which Christ offered himself as a ransom. After being rescued from iniquity, we are purified and are ready to become the Lord's peculiar (special possession) people. Such a people are expected to have the distinction of being zealous of good works.

Verse 15

Tit 2:15. Titus was to speak so as to inform them of their duty. He was then to exhort them, which means to insist on doing what one knows to be his duty. If they refuse to perform their duty, the next thing is to rebuke the disobedient ones. With all authority means that Titus was fully authorized to speak all these things. To despise means to belittle, and Titus was to conduct himself in such a manner that people would look with respect upon him.