Titus 2

Instructions for Various Groups

¹But say the things which fit sound doctrine,

²that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance,

³and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good,

⁴that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,

⁵to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.

⁶Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded.

⁷In all things show yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,

⁸and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

⁹Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting,

¹⁰not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.

The Grace of God and Christian Living

¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

¹²instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;

¹³looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

¹⁴who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

¹⁵Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.

PreviousTitus 1

NextTitus 3

Paul provides Titus with specific instructions for teaching different groups within the Cretan church community, emphasizing how sound doctrine should translate into practical Christian living. He addresses older men and women, younger wives and men, and servants, calling each group to behaviors that reflect their faith and protect the church's reputation. The chapter culminates in a theological foundation for these ethical instructions, grounding Christian conduct in God's grace, Christ's redemptive work, and the hope of His return.

Context

Following chapter 1's focus on church leadership qualifications and confronting false teachers, chapter 2 shifts to practical instructions for different demographic groups within the church community.

Key Themes

Outline

1-2
Sound Doctrine and Older MenPaul instructs Titus to teach sound doctrine, beginning with expectations for older men to be temperate and mature in faith.
3-5
Instructions for Older and Younger WomenOlder women are called to reverent behavior and teaching younger wives in domestic virtues and family relationships.
6-8
Guidance for Young Men and TitusYoung men are exhorted to be sober-minded while Titus is called to exemplify integrity in his teaching and conduct.
9-10
Instructions for ServantsServants are urged to demonstrate faithfulness and good conduct toward their masters to honor God's doctrine.
11-14
Theological Foundation: Grace and RedemptionPaul explains how God's grace teaches believers to live righteously while awaiting Christ's return and remembering His redemptive sacrifice.
15
Titus's AuthorityPaul concludes by affirming Titus's authority to teach, exhort, and reprove with confidence.

Instructions for Various Groups

2:1–2:10

epistleinstructionsolemn

Paul provides specific behavioral instructions for different groups within the church - older men and women, young wives, young men, and servants - to reflect sound doctrine through their conduct.

person_contrast

Paul's instructions span six distinct social roles (older men, older women, young women, young men, servants, and Titus himself), creating the most comprehensive household code in his letters.

The Grace of God and Christian Living

2:11–2:15

epistleinstructionhopeful

Paul instructs about God's grace that brings salvation and teaches righteous living while awaiting Christ's return. He emphasizes Jesus' sacrificial work to redeem and purify a people zealous for good works.

person_contrast

While Jesus typically appears in contexts of authority and judgment throughout the New Testament, this passage uniquely pairs his authority with transformative grace that actively instructs believers in righteous living.

Titus 2:1

Titus 1:9lexical

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, an…

1 Timothy 1:10lexical

for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary…

2 Timothy 4:3lexical

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themse…

1 Timothy 6:3lexical

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to th…

Titus 2:2

1 Timothy 3:2lexical

The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good…

2 Timothy 1:13lexical

Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:11lexical

But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentle…

2 Timothy 3:10lexical

But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

Revelation 2:19lexical

“I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first.

Titus 2:3

1 Timothy 3:8lexical

Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,

Titus 2:5

1 Peter 3:1lexical

In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won…

1 Peter 3:5lexical

For this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own hu…

Titus 2:7

Matthew 26:10lexical

However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.

Mark 14:6lexical

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.

Titus 3:8lexical

This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you insist confidently, so that those who have believ…

John 10:33lexical

The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself G…

Titus 2:9

1 Timothy 6:1lexical

Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the…

Titus 2:12

Jude 1:18lexical

They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.”

2 Timothy 3:12lexical

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Titus 2:13

2 Timothy 1:10lexical

but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immort…

Titus 2:14

Hebrews 9:14lexical

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse yo…

Hebrews 9:7lexical

but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the…

Hebrews 7:27lexical

who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins o…

Interlinear

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