Titus 2:1-15 Lesson 412

Titus 2:1-15
Lesson 412

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Good deeds, lead by example.

Godly living and sound doctrine for young and old (2:2-8).

The Second Coming (2:12 -13).

Verses 2:11-14 summarize the entire message of the New Testament.
Read the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below to feel its full impact.

"Christ at Heart's door."

By American artist Warner Sallman (1892-1968).

Study Tip:

A great way to understand a difficult passage is to put it in your own words.

The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To Titus

The King James Bible

Titus 2:1-15
Living right in the church

1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

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

Margin Notes:

"Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine." (2:1) - "You must speak of the things that promote sound doctrine." This is the second time Paul tells Titus the importance of "sound doctrine" (Titus 1:9). He will remind him a third time in verse 2:8 below.

"The aged men be sober, grave, temperate." (2:2) - "The older men be sensible, respectable, and disciplined." A disciplined Christian is more resistant to temptation.

"In Charity, in patience." (2:2) - "In love, in endurance."

"That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness." (2:3) - "That they behave with reverence."

"False accusers." (2:3) - "Slanders."

"Teach the young women to be sober." (2:4) - "Teach the young women to be sensible."

"Be discreet." (2:5) - "Be wise."

"Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded." (2:6) - "Also, encourage young men to be sensible."

"A pattern of good works." (2:7) - "An example of good deeds."

"In doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity." (2:7) - "Let your teachings show honesty and respectability." Be a good role model (1 Timothy 4:12). This, too, can be a good deed.

"That cannot be condemned." (2:8) - "That can't be criticized."

"He that is of the contrary part." (2:8) - "Those who do not believe."

"Not answering again." (2:9) - "Not talking back."

"Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God." (2:10) - "Not stealing, but showing good faith that they may make the doctrine of God attractive."

"The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." (2:11) - "The grace of God that brings salvation has been revealed to all people." We cannot earn our salvation. By God's mercy and grace, we are saved (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5; 3:7).

"Denying ungodliness." (2:12) - "Renouncing ungodliness." Ungodliness is anything contrary to God.

"We should live soberly, righteously, and godly." (2:12) - The Bible constantly reminds us that it matters how we live (Matthew 5:16).

"The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (2:13) - This is a reference to the Second Coming (The Second Epiphany) of Jesus Christ.

"That he might redeem us." (2:14) - Following God's plan of salvation, Jesus was crucified to redeem (rescue) mankind from sin (Galatians 1:4).

"Purify unto himself a peculiar people." (2:14) - "Sanctify His chosen people."

"Zealous of good works." (2:14) - "Zealots of good works."

"Let no man despise thee." (2:15) - "Let no one disregard your teachings."

New Living Translation

Titus 2:1-15
Promote Right Teaching

1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.

2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.

4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,

5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely.

7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back

10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don't let anyone disregard what you say.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What difference does doctrine make? (2:1)

"The Bible will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from the Bible."

Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899)

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. "Some people think doctrine (the right beliefs) doesn't matter. But sound doctrine does not mean just thinking the right thoughts or reading the right books; it means knowing how and why to live the right kind of life. As proper eating and exercise are good for the body, proper teaching is good for the soul."

(The "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 1718)

Application thought for the day:

Are you motivated to become the person God wants you to be?

Are you sure you're pleasing God?

Spend the next few days praying and thinking of ways to do better.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2023 evolke

Subscribe for Free Bible Lessons