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Book of Titus
Chapter 2
Theme: The job of the church is to teach and preach the Word of God
The Church Must Teach Sound Doctrine (Titus 2:1-10)
The church must teach sound doctrine or it is not a church. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV) . . . The credentials of the early church were: the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. People today put far much emphasis on the church building! It does not matter how beautiful (or shabby) the building is, or how high the steeple is, or how beautifully the chimes play! NONE of that will save you! It is the MESSAGE that comes from the pulpit that will tell you IF that church is really a church, organized in the way that Paul understood it and as the Word of God declares it.
In the first chapter we found that the elders whom Titus was to ordain were to be able to do two things: to exhort (urge and encourage) and to refute (challenge, rebuke, condemn) the heretics. Both these are invaluable in the church, the saints must be exhorted, and some need to be refuted. It is important to have a balanced ministry. An elder should be able to exhort from the Word of God as well as be able to stand up against a heretic. A heretic is an unbeliever spouting falsehoods about Jesus and the Gospel. In this second chapter Paul's emphasis will be upon the teaching of the Word of God, the TRUTH! Sound doctrine!
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: (KJV)
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine . . . sound doctrine is the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42, above). The most important thing in the early church was the apostles' doctrine . . . and it has NOT changed according to God. God hates false or unsound doctrines (Mat.15:9). Do NOT stray from sound teaching: (Deut.12:32; Pro.30:5-6; Isa.29:13; Col.1:18-22; 1 Tim.1:4; 4:1-3,6-7; Tit.1:14; Heb.13:9; Rev.22:18).
Sound teaching is the base and content of our faith. HOW can you know if it is healthy teaching? When a teaching is sound, it combines correct Biblical knowledge and understanding with a consistent, steady practice. The doctrine must be found in the Bible, it must keep Christ Jesus the dominant Figure, and it must result in consistently good behavior and actions.
Believers must be grounded in the Truths of the Bible so they will not be swayed by the sweet and powerful eloquence of false teachers or the pull of their emotions. Those responsible for preaching and teaching must challenge people to understand sound doctrine. The only way a person is able to learn what is in the Bible, is to study it daily and apply its principles to your life, living what you learn!
What we read in these Letters is also a part of the apostles' doctrine. First of all, Paul has a message for the senior citizens, men and women.
Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (KJV)
That the aged men be sober . . . it seems here to be meant elders in age; he would have Timothy preach that these elders should be sober, both as to body and mind (1 Tim.3:2,11). Sober means very cautious, vigilant, watchful, very serious, thoughtful. They should be men who are respected and self-controlled. Sober also means not a drunk.
Grave . . . should be of a modest, composed behavior, cheerful and lighthearted in their conversation, dressing casually (1 Tim.3:8; Phil.4:8).
Temperate . . . prudent, or sober-minded able to govern their passions and inclinations (1 Tim.3:2; Tit.1:8).
Sound in faith . . . we have seen this phrase before (Tit.1:13). Standing firm in what they believe, not doubting (1 Tim.1:10).
In charity . . . that is, love.
In patience . . . patiently bearing evils, bearing the infirmities of body, brought on by age; but whatsoever sufferings they may be called unto for the sake of Christ and His Gospel, in their last day; and to run out the race that is set before them.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (KJV)
And the aged women likewise . . . not just those who may have the office of deaconesses, but all aged females.
That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness . . . holy women. Their conduct should be such as the Gospel requires.
Not false accusers . . . (1 Tim.3:11), where it is rendered slanderers.
Not given to much wine . . . (1 Tim.3:3), nor serving it, or being enslaved by it, which is very scandalous in any, especially in the female sex, and yet was what was far too common in the eastern countries.
Teachers of good things . . . instructing the younger, whether their own children, or whether they sustain the office of deaconess, and are appointed to give instruction to younger generation (1 Tim.5:2-6).
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (KJV)
That they may teach the young women to be sober . . . to be chaste, modest and temperate; or to be wise and prudent in their conduct to their husbands, and in the management of family affairs, who have had a large experience of these things before them.
To love their husbands . . . in Eph.5:25, Paul directs husbands to love their wives, and in Eph.5:33, the wife is to reverence her husband, and here Paul says that it should be one of the first duties of the wife, that she should love her husband. All happiness in the marriage relationship is based on shared love. IF love departs, happiness goes with it! Joint love between a husband and wife can bring comfort and peace to the depths of worldly poverty, while on the other hand, the desperate desire of love CANNOT be provided by all the wealth and possessions that can be had in the palaces of the rich and powerful.
To love their children . . . natural instincts prompts mothers to this, and yet there are those (men and women) so corrupt that they have no natural affection in them (Rom.1:31: 2 Tim.3:3). Faith in God reproduces natural affection when sin has weakened or destroyed it. It is the plan of Christianity to recover and refresh all the lost or weakened feelings of our nature.
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (KJV) . . . The Bible tells us it is right to chasten our children.
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (KJV)
To be discreet . . . means to be temperate, sensible, with an ability to govern all their affections and passions.
Chaste . . . means faithful, innocent. Chaste in body, in affection, words and actions, having their love pure and single to their own husbands, keeping their marriage bed undefiled.
Keepers at home . . . not spending their time gadding about, but in looking to the affairs of their own families.
Good . . . means kind, gentle, patient.
Obedient to their own husbands . . . this is required of wives (Eph.5:22), and is owed from them to their husbands, as being their head. I think the idea of obedience here is that the women should respond in love, to their husbands.
That the word of God be not blasphemed . . . spoken against. Blasphemy is a horrible SIN that SO many people are guilty of. Blasphemy is insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for Almighty God! The Gospel of Jesus Christ must NOT be blasphemed, or discredited by an inconsistent profession of faith (Tit.2:2,8; Rom.2:24; 1 Tim.5:14; 6:1).
Comment: Submission is a very important issue in relation to marriage. Submission is a word most married women do not want to consider or hear. But, even before sin entered the world, there was the principle of headship (1 Tim.2:13). Adam was created first, and Eve was created to be a "helper" for Adam (Gen.2:18-20). Since there was NO sin at that time, the only authority was God’s authority. Then Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Gen.2:17; 3:6). SIN entered the world, so authority was now needed. God established the laws of the land and also provided us with the protection we need. First, we need to submit to God, which is the only way we can truly obey Him (Jam.1:21; 4:7).
Husbands are also to submit to their Head. 1 Cor. 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (KJV) . . . Husbands are to submit to Christ, just as Christ submitted to God the Father. Then the verse says that the wife should follow his example and submit to her husband.
May I say that I found a very good definition of submission. Submission is cooperating voluntarily. I like that!
Submission is a natural response to loving leadership. When a husband loves his wife as Christ loves the church (Eph.5:25-33), submission is very EASY! It is a natural response from a wife to her husband. Submitting to God, the government or a husband is NOT a one-time thing! It is a continual, repeated approach. It becomes a habit, a pattern of behavior. The submission talked about in Ephesians 5, is absolutely NOT a one-sided subjection (hopelessness, enslavement or oppression) of a believer to a selfish, domineering person. Biblical submission is intended to be between two Spirit-filled believers who are jointly yielded to each other and to God.
Submission is a two-way street. Submission is a position of honor and completeness. When a wife is loved as the church is loved by Christ, submission is never difficult. Eph. 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (KJV) . . . This is saying that the wife is to submit to her husband in everything that is right and lawful. BUT . . . the wife is under NO obligation to disobey the law or God in submitting to her husband.
Spirit-filled believers are to be reverent, respectful (5:19), thankful (5:20), and submissive (5:21). A wife should submit to her husband, NOT because women are inferior, but because that is how God intended the marriage relationship to work. Submission is NOT a wife being a doormat for her husband to walk on. Instead, with the help of the Holy Spirit, a wife submits (cooperates voluntarily) to her husband, and a husband sacrificially loves his wife.
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. (KJV)
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded . . . temperate, chaste, modest, moderate, wise, and prudent in all things. Paul now turns his attention to the young men, and he probably means that Titus is the one who is to teach the young men.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (KJV)
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works . . . Paul tells this young preacher Titus to be a pattern, an example, for the other young men.
In doctrine, showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity . . . preaching not false, but sound doctrine; and doing it with authority, and gravity, and sincerity. Uncorruptness has the idea of being corrupt . . . meaning that in Titus’ teaching, he is to show his complete faith in the Word of God and appreciate the seriousness of the matters with which he is dealing (1 Tim.4:12).
Titus 2:8 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. (KJV)
Sound speech that cannot be condemned . . . only the wholesome Words of our Lord Jesus should be used, and the doctrines of the Gospel be spoke. They cannot be condemned by anyone.
That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed . . . that the enemies of the Truth may be ashamed of their attacking with false, malicious charges. Power, truth and innocence can be effective silencers.
Having no evil thing to say of you . . . Titus was to be on the up and up at all times, so that no one could have any evil thing to charge him with, whether with respect to doctrine or practice.
Paul counsels Titus to be above criticism in how he lived and taught. This quality of integrity comes from careful Bible study and thinking before speaking. This is especially important when teaching or confronting others about spiritual or moral issues. Titus is not to be impulsive, unreasonable or confusing, so as not to start arguments. He was just to convince people of the Truth. In other words, your conversation should reveal the fact that you are a child of God.
Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; (KJV)
Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters . . . Paul now turns his attention to another group. In the early church there were many slaves. The Gospel met a great need for this class of people in that day. To be obedient unto their own masters . . . the idea behind obedience is that they should respond to their masters. Anyone, especially those in Christian work, should put their heart into their job or else get out of it. Christian work is to be done with the heart as well as with the head and hands (1 Tim.6:2).
And to please them well in all things . . . meaning in civil things, where there alone they were servants.
Not answering again . . . not being sassy in replying when they were reproved, nor contradicting the commands of their masters. Not talking back to your employer.
Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (KJV)
Not purloining . . . not stealing, embezzling their master's substance, taking away, and making use of what is their property, keeping back part of money or goods committed to their trust, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:2).
But showing all good fidelity . . . approving themselves to be faithful servants in everything they are entrusted with.
That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things . . . Christ is our ONE and ONLY Saviour, and He IS God. He and He alone is fit and able to be a Saviour; and the Gospel is His doctrine. It is not only what He Himself preached while on Earth, but the doctrine is about HIM! It concerns His deity, His Person, His office as Mediator, and the great salvation by Him. There are so many reasons why the Gospel should be adorned by a suitable lifestyle. Jesus IS God! . . . . . . . . . http://www.godcannotlie.org/is_jesus_god.htm
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (KJV)
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men . . . the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, contains the glad tidings of salvation (Rom.10:15), it is no longer hidden, and vaguely delivered, as in the times of the Old Testament. The Gospel now is risen up as the sun, or some bright star, guiding all men to their duties in their lives.
I think there is something wonderful in the world, and that is that the grace of God . . . is in three time periods. We see that in the next three verses: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared" (Tit.2:11). That is past! “Teaching us" (Tit.2:12). That is present! "Looking for that blessed hope" (Tit.2:13). That is future!
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (KJV)
Teaching us . . . teaching means training us. God is not trying to reform this world; He is redeeming men who accept Christ Jesus. The Gospel does not appeal to those who reject Jesus. If you have rejected Christ Jesus, you had better get all you can out of this life, because this life is all that you are ever going to get. God does not want to reform you . . . He wants to redeem you. God is calling those who are His own, those who are redeemed, to live for Him and to avoid "worldly lusts."
That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world . . . we must stay away from all ungodliness, all immorality, impiety, irreverence, especially sin more directly against God, which is a violation of the first table of the law, such as idolatry, worship, superstition, perjury, and too all sinful lusts, as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 Jn.2:16), which fill this world, and are the reigning desires in it. These things are common to those of the world; and they are under the power of it with great help from the devil. To "deny" these things, is to hate and detest them, and to get away from them, and have nothing to do with them. Paul is teaching Titus this lesson of self-denial, or denial of sinful self.
This world has some great things to offer. But, dear one, these things are temporary! What you want is treasures in Heaven (Mat.6:20-21), whatever you have in this world when you die, you shall leave behind! You CANNOT take anything with you except your soul! What is the status of your soul? Have you believed God (1 Jn.5:101-3), have you trusted and accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross?
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV)
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (KJV)
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (KJV)
When you die, your soul (spirit), goes back to God who gave it (Ecc.12:7). The TRUE children of God go immediately into His Presence (Lk.16:22; 2 Cor.5:6,8). ALL unbelievers will be sent to Hades, the temporary Hell (Lk.16:23-24), to await Judgment Day.
BEWARE!!! There is NO Purgatory! The Bible does NOT teach this damnable heresy (2 Pet.2:1). You MUST decide where you want to spend eternity while you are on this Earth. Is your name in the book of life? Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) . . . The only way that you can get it there is to trust Jesus to save you! Jesus is the ONLY Way to Heaven (Jn.14:6, Acts 4:12).
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (KJV)
Looking for that blessed hope . . . instead of being tempted by things of the world, we must look
forward to the Coming of Christ. Jesus IS our blessed hope!
And the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . appearing is never used of God the Father, only of the Second Person, Jesus. Jesus IS our great God, and He IS our Saviour. The great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . is NOT two divine Persons, it is only ONE! The word AND joins the great God AND our Saviour Jesus Christ. They are ONE and the SAME!
The way things are in the world today, Jesus COULD come at any time! 1 Thes. 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (KJV)
Consider this:
God totally destroyed ALL the wicked on the Earth (Gen.6:5,12-13; 7:23)
God totally destroyed the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19:24,28). Not even 10 righteous people were found in those immoral cities (Gen.18:32). This is the road that America and the world are traveling today. BEWARE!!!
Jesus could come at any time, to remove God’s TRUE children, before the start of the Tribulation Period!
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (KJV)
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity . . . Almighty God, JESUS, gave Himself as Sacrifice to God the Father, on our behalf! (1 Pet.1:18-19). He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us. He paid sin’s penalty for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.
And purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works . . . a peculiar people is a people for His possession. Jesus frees us from sin, which opens the way for Him to purify us. He redeemed us by purchasing our release from the captivity of sin with a Ransom (Mk.10:45).
And to give his life a ransom for many . . . ransom means a price paid for the redemption of captives. It is the means by which they are set free. Anything that releases any one from a state of punishment, or suffering, or sin, is called a ransom. Men are by nature captives to sin. They are sold under it, and are under condemnation (Eph.2:3; Rom.3:9-20,23; 1 Jn.5:19). They are under a curse (Gal.3:10). They are literally, simply, in love with sin, and are exposed to eternal death (Eze.18:4; Ps.9:17; 11:6; 68:2; 139:19; Mat.25:46; Rom.2:6-9). They would perish in the Lake of Fire (Rev.20:15), UNLESS there had been some way made possible by which they could be rescued. God the Father made this One and Only Way (Jn.14:6) possible for “whosoever” might be interested in going to Heaven instead of Hell. This Way was achieved by the death of Jesus, His only begotten Son (Jn.3:16); by giving His life as a ransom for us sinners. It all boils down to: He died willingly in the place of sinners, and that God was willing to accept the pains of His death in the place of the eternal suffering of the redeemed. The reasons why such a ransom was necessary are:
#1. God shows His hatred (punishment), to all sin (disobedience to Him). God declared that the sinner must die (2 Thes.1:8-9; 1 Pet.4:17-18; Col.3:25; Heb.10:29-31).
#2. That all men had sinned; and if justice was to take its regular course, all must perish (Rom.3:10,23; 5:12).
#3. That man could make NO atonement for his own sins. Repentance and future obedience CANNOT blot away even one sin (Jn.6:28-29; Rom.3:20; 5:1,9-10; 9:32; 11:6; Gal.2:16; 5:1; Eph.2:8:9; 2 Tim.1:10; Tit.3:4-5).
For many: (Mat.26:28; Jn.10:16; 2 Cor.5:14-15; 1 Tim.2:6; Heb.2:9; 1 Jn.2:2).
But to minister: (Lk.22:27; Jn.13:1-38; 4:14-15 Phil.2:7).
And to give: (Isa.53:5,8,11; Dan.9:24-27; 1 Tim.2:6; Tit.2:14; Heb.9:28; 1 Pet.1:18-19; Rev.1:5-6). See: (Mat.20:28).
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (KJV)
These things speak and exhort . . . sound doctrine (Tit.1:9; 2:1), the doctrine of grace, the doctrines of salvation and redemption by Christ, doctrines of peace, pardon and cleansing by His precious Blood (Mat.26:28; Mk.1:24; Lk.22:20; Jn.6:55-56; Rom.3:25; 5:9,11; 1 Pet.1:18-19). Titus is to teach denying of ungodliness and worldly lusts, living a sober, righteous and godly lifestyle; and encourage the saints to be zealous of good works, and comfort them with the expectation of the blessed hope, and glorious appearance of Christ.
And rebuke with all authority . . . Titus was to harshly warn of and rebuke all errors and heresies (Mat.15:9; Acts 15:24; 1 Cor.11:19; 1 Tim.4:1; Tit.3:10; 2 Pet.2:1; 3:17). He was to teach NOT to indulge in immorality and wickedness, with the authority of Christ.
Let no man despise thee . . . let no one accuse you of being negligent in the discharge of your office. I think this means to conduct yourself, so as to command universal respect as a minister of God (1 Tim.4:12).
Paul tells Titus to teach the Scriptures as well as to live them. We must also teach, encourage, and correct others, when necessary. We can easily feel afraid when others are older, more influential in the community or wealthier. Like Titus, we should not let ourselves be threatened when we are trying to minister to others or provide leadership in the church.
The Doctrine of Grace and Salvation
The doctrine of grace and salvation by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is for all positions and conditions of men. It is sound doctrine, and teaches us to forsake sin . . . and have no more to do with it. Unsound doctrine will never lead to a heavenly calling.
We must look to God the Father, in Christ Jesus His Son, as the ONE and ONLY Object of our hope and worship. A Gospel conversation must be a Godly conversation. We can see our duty in just a very few words: denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly, even though snares, temptations, corrupt examples plague us. It teaches us to look for the glories of another world. At and in, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete, for He will take us Home!
Christ Jesus, that great God and our Saviour, who saves not only as God, much less as Man alone . . . BUT as God-man . . . two magnificent natures in ONE Person. He loved us, and gave himself for us . . . can we do less than love Him and give ourselves to Him?
Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a peculiar people (special people) unto God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit.
Let us inquire in Scripture, if our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. My friend, the further we are removed from boasting of fanciful good works, or trusting in them, the better we are . . . so that we can glory in Christ Jesus alone, to be more zealous to abound in real good works (Tit.2:7,14; 3:1,8).
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