Titus 2:7-15

7 in all things affording thyself as a pattern of good works; in teaching uncorruptedness, gravity,

8 a sound word, not to be condemned; that he who is opposed may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us:

9 bondmen to be subject to their own masters, ^[a] to make themselves ^[b] acceptable in everything; not gainsaying;

10 not robbing [their masters], but shewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the teaching which [is] of our Saviour God in all things.

11 For the grace of God which carries with it salvation for all men has appeared,

12 teaching us that, having denied impiety and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and justly, and piously in the present course of things,

13 awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works.

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

Titus 2:7-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO TITUS 2

In this chapter the apostle exhorts Timothy to the discharge of his office with respect to all sorts of persons, of every age, sex; and condition, he was concerned with, giving reasons for it, taken from the nature of the Gospel of Christ: he exhorts him in general to insist in his public ministry on those things, which were agreeable to sound doctrine, Tit 2:1 and particularly what became aged men and aged women, and young men and young women, Tit 2:2-6 in all which, both with respect to doctrine and practice, he desires him to be a pattern to them, that so even his very adversaries may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of him, Tit 2:7,8. And next he charges him to exhort servants, to obey their masters, and seek to please them, and not contradict them, and to be faithful to them; that so the doctrine of God their Saviour, professed by them, might be adorned in all things, Tit 2:9,10. And the reasons why the apostle would have duty urged on persons of every age, sex, and state, are taken from the nature of the Gospel being a doctrine of grace and salvation, which was preached to all sorts of persons, Tit 2:11, and from the efficacy of it, in teaching men to deny sin, and live a holy life and conversation, Tit 2:12 and from an expectation of eternal glory and happiness at the appearance of Christ, which the Gospel encourages to, Tit 2:13; and from the end of Christ's giving himself for his people, and redeeming them from sin, the sum and substance of the Gospel, which was, that they might be purified, and be zealous of good works, Tit 2:14 and these exhortations were to be delivered by Titus with authority, and in such a manner, that he might not be despised, Tit 2:15.

Footnotes

• [a]. Despotes, as 2Tim. 2.21.
• [b]. The literal translation is 'to be,' yet I judge I have given the true sense. It is elsewhere used of the Christian towards God or Christ; but to be acceptable is a fact. I cannot exhort a person to be it; to make himself so I can; and that is the sense here.
• [c]. Or 'contradictory;' that is, opposing their masters when they speak to them.
• [d]. Or 'has appeared to all men,' but I prefer the text.
• [e]. That is, with self-restraint and consideration, or sound mind; as 'discreet,' ch. 1.8.
• [f]. Aion: see Matt. 13.22, but 'age' hardly gives the sense. 'World' gives the false idea of this world as one, and heaven another. It was, for the Jews, the present state of things in contrast with that to be introduced by Messiah.
• [g]. Or 'has given.' Aorist.