Titus 2 Study Notes

2:1 The intentional contrast but you must not be missed. While some people’s deeds disprove their claim to know God, Titus in contrast was to teach the people to live in a way consistent with sound teaching—in a way that would affirm rather than deny their claim to know God. The instruction addressed typical groups within the family structure (older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and slaves).

2:2 Older men are to strive toward four characteristics. The fourth characteristic is split into three. They are to aim for soundness in faith, in love for others, and endurance or perseverance.

2:3-5 The teaching in these verses is practical and focuses on the domestic sphere. Paul emphasizes that older women can help model for young women what it means to be a wife and mother.

2:6-7 Young men are to be self-controlled. The Greek word is sophron, whose lexical meaning is “prudent, sensible, self-controlled.” The word is also found in the instructions for older men (v. 2, “sensible”) and young women (v. 5, “self-controlled”). Knight believes that v. 7 teaches that Titus was to be an example for the young men. Therefore, young men were to exhibit good works, integrity, and dignity.

2:5,8,10 In each of these verses important statements are made about the desired result of “gospel living.” Such living keeps us from providing a basis for the gospel to be maligned. Such living also highlights the attractiveness of the gospel.

2:9-10 The words used to describe desirable behavior in slaves can apply equally to workers in general. For Paul’s instructions to slaves elsewhere, see Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:22-24; 1Tm 6:1-2 (cp. 1Pt 2:18).

2:11-14 This paragraph provides the theological basis for the lifestyle commended in vv. 1-10. Christians should live sanctified lives because the grace of God that saves us also instructs us to live in a new way. A person cannot claim to be a recipient of God’s saving grace if he is not also growing in the lifestyle made possible by grace.

2:11 This verse has sometimes been misunderstood as saying that all people will be saved. However, such a reading is not made necessary by the words here, and it flatly contradicts other portions of Scripture. The force of all people is to emphasize the universal offer of the gospel. The offer of salvation is proclaimed not just to one group but to all peoples.

2:12 Godlessness refers to behavior that is not in accordance with God’s ways. Lusts refer not only to sexual desires but to sinful desires in general.

2:13 The verb used here for wait often carries a connotation of eagerness. The eager expectation of the return of Christ mentioned here is not just the time of the instruction of grace (while we wait), it is also the way grace teaches us to renounce sin and live in a “godly way” (v. 12). Setting our minds on the truth of Christ’s return impels us to holiness (1Jn 3:2-3). The blessed hope is the appearing of . . . Christ. The reference to Jesus as God and Savior is a strong affirmation of his deity.

2:14 The phrase people for his own possession translates an unusual phrase with intentional echoes from the OT (Ex 19:5; Mal 3:17). The phrase expresses the sense of “prized, treasured possession” (see 1Pt 2:9).

2:15 This verse is an unmistakable call for authoritative teaching in the church.