Titus2

American Standard Version · Public Domain

TranslationKJV WEB ASV ESV NIV NASB NKJV NLT

¹But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:

²that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:

³that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

⁴that they may train the young women 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 the word of God be not blasphemed:

⁶the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded:

⁷in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity,

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

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

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

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

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

¹³looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

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

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

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Titus 2.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The duties which become sound doctrine. (1–8). Believing servants must be obedient. (9, 10). All is enforced from the holy design of the gospel, which concerns all believers. (11–15).

vv1-8

Old disciples of Christ must behave in every thing agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake. Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful; therefore need to be on their guard. Though there is not express Scripture for every word, or look, yet there are general rules, according to which all must be ordered. Young women must be sober and discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal temptations by what at first might be only want of discretion. The reason is added, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin. Every godly man's endeavour must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of!

vv9-10

Servants must know and do their duty to their earthly masters, with a reference to their heavenly one. In serving an earthly master according to Christ's will, He is served; such shall be rewarded by him. Not giving disrespectful or provoking language; but to take a check or reproof with silence, not making confident or bold replies. When conscious of a fault, to excuse or justify it, doubles it. Never putting to their own use that which is their master's, nor wasting the goods they are trusted with. Showing all good fidelity to improve a master's goods, and promote his thriving. If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? Lu 16:12. True religion is an honour to the professors of it; and they should adorn it in all things.

vv11-15

The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good. We must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. A gospel conversation must be a godly conversation. See our duty in a very few words; denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly, notwithstanding all snares, temptations, corrupt examples, ill usage, and what remains of sin in the believer's heart, with all their hinderances. It teaches to look for the glories of another world. At, and in, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete: To bring us to holiness and happiness was the end of Christ's death. Jesus Christ, that great God and our Saviour, who saves not only as God, much less as Man alone; but as God-man, two natures in one person. He loved us, and gave himself for us; and what can we do less than love and give up ourselves to him! Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a peculiar people unto God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is profitable. Here is what will furnish for all parts of duty, and the right discharge of them. Let us inquire whether our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. And the further we are removed from boasting of fancied good works, or trusting in them, so that we glory in Christ alone, the more zealous shall we be to abound in real good works.

Key Words

ButG1161Greek

δέ (dé): but, and, etc.

youG4771Greek

σύ (sý): thou

teachG2980Greek

λαλέω (laléō): to talk, i.e. utter words

accordsG4241Greek

πρέπω (prépō): to tower up (be conspicuous), i.e. (by implication) to be suitable or proper (third person singular present indicative, often used impersonally, it is fit or right)

withG3739Greek

ὅς (hós): the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

soundG5198Greek

ὑγιαίνω (hygiaínō): to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine)

doctrineG1319Greek

διδασκαλία (didaskalía): instruction (the function or the information)

Older menG4246Greek

πρεσβύτης (presbýtēs): an old man

beG1511Greek

εἶναι (eînai): to exist

sober-mindedG3524Greek

νηφάλεος (nēpháleos): sober, i.e. (figuratively) circumspect