2Tim. 1:13 “Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
Our spiritual citizenship requires harmony between a variety of crucial elements. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of our spiritual citizenship. First, our faith in the gospel is required. Second, our conduct has to be directed by the gospel. Third, our speech must also be guided by the gospel.
False doctrine always lowers the standard set by God. God is honored only by lives that are obedient. Love for God is only displayed by obedience.
In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.”
There are two fundamental facts about God and man’s relationship with Him. One, we can only honor God by obedience. Two, we can only demonstrate our love to God by obedience.
Titus was admonished by the Apostle Paul to combat the damage done by the false doctrine that was causing people to live in such a way to bring shame on the Church and their Christian profession. By combating false doctrine Paul wasn’t being legalistic. He was being realistic.
How we behave matters to God. It matters to the Church that Christ purchased. When people pattern their lives after anything other than the gospel – it’s tantamount to following false doctrine. And any life not in compliance with the gospel pattern is a life lived by standards that are lower than God expects. That’s at the heart of Titus chapter 2.
Verse 1 “But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:”
Paul is going to press home the fact that all Christians are required to live useful lives for God. The only way to accomplish that is by living a life based solely on the Gospel. Sound doctrine is authorized doctrine – authorized by God.
Christ – in His sermon delivered from the Mount – warned about false teachers who would appear in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they’d be ravening wolves. He said we’d know them by their fruits. We’ll know false teachers by what they teach and by how they live. A casual glance might not reveal their true character. But when we examine their fruit we’ll see them more clearly. Speech and conduct are dead giveaways. We can all judge people by their speech and conduct.
Paul tells Titus that God’s people have to live based on sound doctrine. What is taught matters. Nothing is said of good, moral, just or sincere. Sound doctrine is scriptural doctrine. It’s accurate – as God views it. Sound doctrine means those things taught and commanded by God.
If men would be saved, they’ll have to obey God and do what He commands. Principle and practice match when it comes to sound doctrine. It’s not just something we teach. It’s something that governs how we live.
Verse 2 “that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:”
Paul addresses older men, older women, younger women, younger men and servants (or slaves). He starts here by saying that the older men cannot be given to excess. They have to be temperate. They have to be men of self-control.
“Grave” means they’re to be men of a calm, sensible demeanor. It’s doesn’t mean they’re to be down in the mouth. They’re to be seriously minded.
“Sound in the faith” means they have to clearly understand that God is in control and they’re true to God’s Word.
In addition, they are not vindictive or hateful. They’re not bitter or resentful.
And they must be examples of endurance. They realize they’re not going to overcome every challenge, but they lead the way in showing people how to endure challenges. Nobody overcomes old age. They simply endure it. And that should be our prayer for our older members – that God will help them successfully endure. It should be the goal for all of us.
The role of aged – or older – men leads the way. If you’re an older man these admonitions address you. These are the demands the gospel places on all older men. No specific age is given, but common sense tells us that men who have succeeded in marriage, raising children and weathered some of the adversities of life are those who must teach what they’ve learned. These men are not novices.
Verse 3 “that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;”
Now older, mature women are addressed. “Reverent in demeanor” means the elderly women must conduct themselves so they properly display their sacred relationship with the Church – the Kingdom of God. They have to show reverence to things holy.
“Not slanderers” means they’re not false accusers. Older women tend to have more time on their hands and can therefore do more good – or more harm. They have to avoid becoming busy bodies in other people’s business. And they have to watch out so they’re not tempted to busy themselves with gossip.
“Not given to much wine” has to be kept in proper scriptural context by understanding the word “wine” refers to both fermented juice and non-fermented juice. Prevalent in this day was the habit of doing things to excess – including drinking non-intoxicating things. In fact, filtering would be used to reduce the intoxicating affects of even fermented drinks so they could drink more. The same habit applied to food – hence the scriptures condemn the sin of gluttony!
“Teachers of good things” is a two-fold admonition. First, the older women have to teach. To teach, you must first know. There is no command to do this publicly. Rather, all the teaching authorized by women in the church is private. Second, what you teach is urgent – good things. The next few verses address the specifics.
Verse 4 “that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,”
Older women train or teach the younger women to love their husbands. Two ideas are presented here. One, the younger women being taught here are married. Second, the older women are best suited to teach these younger married women to love their husbands.
Love is an awfully broad and comprehensive subject – especially the love between a husband and wife. Part of this obligation is certainly addressed when Paul wrote 1st Corinthians 7:3 and spoke of “due benevolence.” Who better to teach young women of that than older women?
Young wives need to be taught to be supportive of their husbands in every worthy endeavor, especially in helping them be the spiritual leaders that God demands. In Ephesians 5:25 Paul commanded men to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. Husbands, do you love your wife like that?
Marriage is not a one-way street. It demands the best of both husband and wife, but here the older women are specifically authorized and commanded to teach or train the younger women how to behave toward their husbands.
“To love their children” may seem as odd as the command for them to teach how to love their husbands. Maternal affection is natural. Mentally stable mothers will naturally care about their children. Unfortunately, sin can corrupt what’s natural. We learn this from Romans chapter 1.
The gospel demands that mothers have an appropriate maternal love for their children. Ephesians 6:4 commands fathers not to provoke their children to wrath. Mothers aren’t excluded from that admonition.
Christian mothers have to nurture their kids. That means they have to learn how to discipline and train their children. Solomon said, “He that spareth the rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Younger, novice mothers may fail to understand how to properly train their children. They may assume anything done to prevent their child from crying means they love them. God doesn’t see it so.
It’s the obligation of older Christian women to train younger Christian women how to control, discipline – and therefore, love their children.
Verse 5 “to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:”
“Sober-minded” means the younger women are to be taught self-control. Their behavior has to be such that no evil report can be made of them. They have to be taught to grow up and behave as mature young women.
“Workers at home” means they’re to be taught how to manage their home. Older women have to teach younger women how to keep a neat, tidy house. The objective is to make your family love home. It’s not about the house. It’s about how the house is made to be home.
Chaos and clutter characterize too many homes. Christian women should be the best housekeepers on the planet. They should be among the best managers of a household. Older women have to lead the way! And then they have to teach the younger women how to do it.
Don’t mistake this admonition to read “stay at home.” Study Proverbs 31:10-31 and you’ll see this virtuous woman fulfill her missions outside the four walls of her home. Her work took her to the field and vineyard. They involved investments and work. But the framework for all her work was that she was a home keeper.
“Kind, being in subjection to their own husbands” – the godly woman knows her place. She understands God’s plan of headship. She knows to be in subjection to her Christian husband. Older women teach the younger women these Truths of God’s plan.
The reason is clear – so God’s Word won’t be blasphemed. Home duties are so important that failure will cause God’s Word to be spoken against, blasphemed. Perhaps you’ve been in a home that wasn’t clean or well kept. The woman of that house harms her reputation and the reputation of her faith. She doesn’t reflect the Gospel as she should.
All of our lives are made up of simple, everyday behaviors. So it is with old and young alike.
Verse 6 “the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded:”
“Exhort” here means to beg or urge. That’s the manner of teaching or instruction to be used to teach young men. The word “likewise” indicates that all the instruction given so far should be delivered this same way.
Teaching need not be offensive or heavy-handed. It is possible to teach people the gospel in a way that will help them better see their responsibilities to God. And it’s possible to do that without being offensive in our manner.
It seems fitting in so many ways that Paul inserts this term “exhort” with connection here regarding young men. Anyone who has attempted to instruct young men knows the challenge of passing on instruction and wisdom to them. Young men often resist instruction for a variety of reasons. Urging, even begging them to grasp a lesson is often necessary.
The first instruction given here is “to be sober-minded.” Thayer defines this as being of sound mind. And the meaning goes far beyond not being drunk. The sober-minded person must be under self-control under emotional and inflammatory situations. The sober-minded person is wise at all times.
Young men tend to allow their emotions to drive their mouth, their thoughts and their actions. That’s why they are urged to be sober-minded. This is a learned behavior. It doesn’t necessarily come with age. Young men, devote yourself to controlling yourself and think seriously about how you live by watching what you say, and what you do.
Verse 7 “in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity,”
Paul knew Titus had been a good example already. He tells him to continue on living what he teaches. Be a good example. It applies to all Christians. We are all obligated to practice what we preach.
1Tim. 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
“In thy doctrine showing uncorruptness” conveys the idea of purity. It might be applied here to refer to either the doctrine preached or the quality of the teacher. Since the quality of the teacher seems to be the meaning in verse 8, it’s likely the same meaning here.
Titus was instructed to teach without fear or favor. He wasn’t to be influenced by men. Popularity or approval of men wasn’t the motive for his preaching – and it shouldn’t be for any teacher of the Truth. Teachers of the gospel should live pure lives while teaching the full Truth to all men.
“Gravity” simply means that we’re serious about our teaching the gospel. The Truth of God’s Word is serious business. We have to take the responsibility seriously. Souls are at stake, so our approach with the gospel has to be taken seriously.
Verse 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 us.”
“Sound” is a word often used to denote healthy. Paul uses that term often with regard to spiritual health. Here “sound” is associated with our speech. Every Christian has to guard their speech. Enemies of the truth will find fault with your poor or inappropriate speech. And speech doesn’t just refer to our vocabulary, but it refers to how we argue, teach and communicate.
We probably all know brethren who are argumentative. They don’t cuss, but their speech and demeanor harms the truth.
“That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.” If our speech is above reproach then the person who would be critical of us will be embarrassed because he can find no fault with our speech. Christians must live above reproach, but that doesn’t mean people can’t falsely accuse us. While we can’t control false accusations we can control our own lives to make certain we’re not guilty of anything.
1Pet. 4:15, 16 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
Verse 9 “Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying;”
Slavery was common in these days. Christianity is never political. Slaves who became Christians weren’t admonished to run away or rebel. Rather, they were exhorted to be obedient to their masters. As slaves they could show Christ to their masters by behaving as God wanted.
“To be well-pleasing to their masters in all things” has 2 restrictions: the laws of man and most importantly, the law of God. It’s not much different than our obligations toward our employers or our civil government. We want to serve them as long as our service complies with what God demands of us.
“Not gainsaying” literally means talking back. Don’t talk back. Don’t argue. Kids, it applies to you as much as it applies to anybody.
Verse 10 “not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
The literal meaning of the word “purloining” is “separating for their own use what doesn’t belong to them.” The specific form of theft implied here is to keep for yourself something that has been entrusted to you by somebody else.
The slave who was entrusted with the master’s possessions had to realize who owned those things. Today, we call it embezzlement. It’s tempting for employees or servants to take things that don’t belong to them. The exhortation is for Christians to be trustworthy – especially Christian servants or slaves.
That honesty would show good fidelity or faithfulness. “That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” Our lives must be lived so they add beauty and attractiveness to the doctrine of Christ. We do that by our speech, our dress and our behavior. We can make the doctrine of Christ attractive to others by being the example we should be.
Verse 11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”
“Grace” is a word used in various ways in the New Testament, but it always involves favor. God’s grace is unmerited favor. In this case, God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. That’s grace.
Grace isn’t doing something for somebody that doesn’t need to be done. Grace isn’t doing something that somebody can do for himself. God’s grace is available to all men. God’s salvation is available – or has appeared – to all men.
Verse 12 “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
What is it that teaches us? The grace that saves teaches us. Calvinism affirms that salvation depends on an experience of grace involving some supernatural happening. The Scriptures teach that even when a person comes to Christ – and commits to live for Christ in the future – they must obey what they learn. There is no supernatural event.
John 6:44, 45 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
Coming to Christ involves our intellect. We learn. We understand. We obey. And we understand that God chose the foolishness of preaching to save the lost. This means men are obligated to teach and explain the Word of God so others can understand it, learn it and obey it.
Ungodliness is irreverence. Ungodliness has no regard for God or respect for things that are holy or divine.
“Worldly lusts” refer to desires for those things of the world that Christians are forbidden to engage in. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
We’re commanded by the Word of God to live soberly. God’s Word is both positive and negative. We have to close the door to sinful behavior and open the door to righteous behavior. Over and over again is the admonition to live soberly. Be serious about your life.
“Righteously” signifies just and according to Vine means without prejudice or partiality. It focuses on our manner of life. Christians have to always be fair in our thoughts, words and actions. In short, a righteous man always does what’s right.
“Godly” is the very opposite of ungodliness – the thing Christians are to deny. We must have reverence toward God. We must respect those things that are holy, sacred and divine.
Verse 13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
“Hope” is the driving force for living according to the will of God. The object of this hope is the second coming of Jesus. It’s best to view this hope by thinking of what it would be like if we had no hope of His coming back again. What if this life was all there was?
A better rendering of the original text of this verse would be, “that blessed hope, even the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Both expressions refer to the same individual. Both expressions refer to the same thing. The glory will appear when our Lord returns. That’s what Christians look forward to because we understand that’s when our final reward will come.
Verse 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.”
Here’s another motive for living a Christian life. Christ died for us. That should be reason enough to obey Him. How could we be righteous without reverence for those things that are sacred – or without a full appreciation for what Christ did for us?
The reason for His sacrifice is clearly stated – that he might redeem us from all iniquity. Sin held us ransom, but Christ paid the ransom and freed us.
“Iniquity” is lawlessness or without law. Christ doesn’t save us in our sins. He saves us from our sins. That means that the sacrifice of Christ satisfied God’s broken law. Nothing else could do that.
Our redemption makes us clean from the stain of our own sin. It makes us a peculiar people – a people who belong to God. It doesn’t make us quirky, even though some in the world may view us that way. Our obedience to the gospel makes us purified and purchased. It makes us God’s own special people – peculiar.
It should also make us zealous of good works. God’s people understand the need for a standard of conduct different than the world. We behave differently from the world. A lack of zeal toward good works shows that we don’t fully understand or appreciate the purpose of what happened at Calvary.
Verse 15 “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
Titus is commanded to speak or preach these things always. Sometimes it would be necessary for him, as it is for us today, to urge and plead with people to obey. And there would be times that Titus would have to correct, or rebuke.
“Let no man despise thee” literally means “let no man think around thee.” A similar thing is said in 1 Timothy 4:12, but there a stronger word is used to denote scorn. Here in Titus the meaning seems to be, “don’t let somebody out-think, or think around you.” Those who teach have to be on guard so error can’t take advantage.
Sound doctrine involves both practice and principle. Your life cannot be lived according to sound doctrine is you haven’t learned God’s doctrine or commandments.
First, you have to know what God wants. You don’t dare guess or speculate. As children most of us knew to listen closely to our parents to make sure we understood their instruction. If you had strict parents, you listened and learned what they wanted. God is the same way.
Knowing comes first, but doing follows. Too often we may focus on doctrine and think of it as teaching, but we might fail to incorporate it into our own life. We may fail to make it the rule of our life. Instead, we may formulate our own philosophy and way of life.
The doctrine of Christ – sound doctrine – addresses every area of our life. The doctrine of our Savior talks about suffering wrong instead of executing revenge. The doctrine of Jesus talks of how we’re to treat our husbands, wives, children and brethren. The doctrine of Jesus talks of how men are to work and support their families. The doctrine of Christ talks of how we’re to be morally pure.
If you’re basing your life – all your behavior – on sound doctrine, then there is no area of your life that is untouched by the doctrine of our Lord.
Adapted from a sermon delivered at Fossil Creek