Titus 2:1-10

Sound Instruction and Consistent Behavior

1 But you, speak [the things] which are fitting for sound instruction.

2 Older men are to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, [and] in endurance.

3 Older women likewise [are to be] reverent in [their] behavior, not slanderous, not enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

4 in order that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands [and to] love their children,

5 [to be] self-controlled, pure, busy at home, good, being subject to their own husbands, in order that the word of God may not be slandered.

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be self-controlled,

7 concerning everything showing yourself [to be] an example of good deeds, in your teaching [demonstrating] soundness, dignity,

8 [a] sound message beyond reproach, in order that {an opponent} may be put to shame, [because he] has nothing bad to say concerning us.

9 Slaves must be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not to talk back,

10 not stealing, but demonstrating all good faith, in order that they may do credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

Titus 2:1-10 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]. Literally "one from [the] opposed"
• [b]. *Here "[because]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("has") which is understood as causal