Titus 2

King James Version

Full text for Titus Chapter 2

1¶ But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

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

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

4That 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.

6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

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

8Sound 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;

10Not 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,

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

13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing 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 peculiar people, zealous of good works.

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

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Titus is instructed to teach sound doctrine, which translates into specific behavioral guidelines for various groups within the church. Aged men and women, young women, young men, and servants are all exhorted to live righteously and responsibly according to their stations. This call to godly living is rooted in the grace of God, which teaches believers to deny ungodliness and live soberly while awaiting Christ's glorious return.

Medium Summary

Paul charges Titus to proclaim sound doctrine, outlining practical instructions for different demographics within the Christian community. Aged men are to be sober, grave, temperate, and sound in faith, charity, and patience. Aged women are likewise to exhibit holy behavior, avoid slander and excessive wine, and teach younger women to love their families, be discreet, chaste, and obedient to their husbands, so as not to bring reproach upon God's word. Young men are exhorted to be sober-minded, and Titus himself is to be a pattern of good works, integrity, and sound speech. Servants are commanded to be obedient and faithful to their masters, thereby adorning the doctrine of God. The theological basis for these ethical demands is the grace of God, which has appeared to all men, teaching them to deny ungodliness and live righteously in anticipation of Christ's glorious return, who gave himself to redeem and purify a people zealous for good works.

Long Summary

The Apostle Paul charges Titus to proclaim and uphold sound doctrine, which manifests in practical instruction for the Christian community in Crete. He begins by outlining the expected conduct for aged men, who are to be characterized by sobriety, gravity, temperance, and soundness in faith, charity, and patience. Similarly, aged women are to demonstrate behavior befitting holiness, refraining from false accusation and excessive wine, and instead becoming teachers of good things. Their primary role in teaching extends to younger women, whom they are to instruct in loving their husbands and children, being discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and obedient to their own husbands. This specific instruction for young women is given so that the word of God may not be blasphemed through their conduct. Young men are likewise to be exhorted to be sober-minded in all things. Titus himself is presented as a crucial example, being called to show himself a pattern of good works, uncorruptness in doctrine, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. This exemplary conduct is intended to silence those who oppose the faith, leaving them nothing evil to say. The chapter also addresses servants, instructing them to be obedient to their masters, to please them well in all things, to avoid answering back or purloining, and instead to show all good fidelity. The ultimate purpose of such faithful conduct by servants is to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. The theological underpinning for these ethical demands is then presented: the grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men. This grace serves as a divine teacher, instructing believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. This present living is further framed by the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Christ's self-sacrifice is highlighted as the means by which he redeemed believers from all iniquity and purified for himself a peculiar people, who are zealous of good works. Finally, Titus is commanded to speak, exhort, and rebuke with all authority, ensuring that no man despises his teaching.

Core Concepts

  • Sound DoctrineTitus is commanded to speak 'the things which become sound doctrine,' indicating a teaching that is healthy, true, and leads to righteous living for all believers.
  • Intergenerational InstructionThe chapter emphasizes the responsibility of older believers, particularly aged women, to teach and model godly behavior for younger generations, ensuring the transmission of faith and practice.
  • Holiness in Daily LifeSpecific instructions are given for various social roles—aged men and women, young women, young men, and servants—demonstrating that Christian faith impacts all aspects of daily conduct and relationships.
  • The Grace of God as TeacherThe 'grace of God that bringeth salvation' is presented as actively 'teaching us' to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world.
  • Redemption and PurificationJesus Christ 'gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,' highlighting the transformative purpose of His sacrifice.
  • The Blessed HopeBelievers are encouraged to live righteously while 'looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,' signifying the future expectation of Christ's return.
  • Adorning the DoctrineServants are exhorted to show good fidelity 'that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things,' implying that righteous living makes the gospel message more credible and attractive.