Titus 2:1–10

¹ But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: ² that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; ³ the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. ⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. ⁹ Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Commentary

Vs. 1-2 ¹ But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: ² that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

Therefore, instead of following the Godless example of those who profess to know God but in works deny Him, the Apostle Paul now says to Titus (and us all who lead, whether in home Bible studies, or in “mega churches”, to speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine; that is speak those things which are in accord with the Jesus Christ’s Person and Commandments, and thus with His Body of believers everywhere; “that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;”

Sober, no one should ever excuse or justify the misuse and abuse of alcohol, for any Christian who does, or justifies anyone doing so, is only an afront to the Gospel of the grace of God (Prov. 20:1; Rom. 13:13-14; 1 Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:7-8; 1 Peter 5:8 etc.).

Reverent, that is reverent of God, His Word, the church, and of course our Lord and Savior, all which can be done without being a religious prude.

Temperate, thus not given to extremes in speech or behavior.

Sound in faith, in order to lead anyone its essential that one first be sound in their own faith, which begins by first being grounded in Gospel, and thus the grace of God through the Word of God. For when one is they don’t need to debate with those who are not, nor partake in all of the strange doctrines and teachings and useless forms of so called “spirituality” that are out there. For such things simply don’t appeal to us, or anyone who is already rooted and grounded in Christ.

In love, love is more than a feeling, it’s an outlook towards God and others. Towards God our love for Him wants us to become people He is proud off. Towards others our love wants the best for them, wants to serve, and give and pray for them. Wants to see them believe and be saved!

In patience, if there is anything that we all need with each other it is patience, for none of us have arrived, or will attain to perfect image of Christ in this life. Modelling patience then is a true mark of a mature man of God.

Vs. 3-5 ³ the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Having first addressed the men (the elders,) in the congregations the Apostle Paul now turns to the women. He beings by again reaffirming the same attributes which he commanded of the men, that the also be reverent in behavior, this is important since they too are modeling how one should look and act both inside and outside of the house of faith. And given the horrible and Godless examples that todays young women are daily exposed to through popular culture, it is important that there be a Godly example of true womanhood that they can look too and emulate. That doesn’t need to be half naked and sexually permissive or perverse in order to express their own persons individuality. Start here

“not slanderers” It’s not that men are not also given to this terrible abuse of others, but that woman tend to be more inclined to gossip then men. And so the word the Apostle Paul uses here is a word to describe the very character of the devil himself who is behind much of the malicious gossip that takes place in this world.

“not given to much wine” Again the emphasis is on the miss-use and abuse of wine not the total abstinence from it.

“teachers of good things”—⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Elder woman then in the church are to not only lead by example, but also instruct the younger woman in faith the basic tenets of being a Godly Christian woman. First then is to love their husbands which they can do in many ways, not the least of which is respecting her husband as the head of the family, which then goes a long way in making him feel loved and appreciated. Same then with their children, rather than seeing them or treating them as “a burden”, children are not only to be raised and instructed in the faith, but also loved and cared for by both their parents, which they do by spending quality time with them and regularly showing endearment to them. To be discreet means that she is not a person who quickly discloses sensitive information about another (especially her husband) without their consent. Chaste, means to be first and foremost faithful to her husband, her inward desires and outward affections then are focused on him, not on others. Homemakers, for this is a wife’s and mothers primary service for God and her family, to build, keep, and maintain a healthy home which itself is a fulltime job and carrier. As well elder woman instructing younger woman should also admonish them to be good, and not follow the Godless lives and examples seen on T.V. and in sitcoms etc. Last then but not least is that they teach them to be obedient to their own husbands, which not only makes for a healthy marriage, but also a happy home. For even if the wife is more gifted in certain areas, she should strive to help him as best she can be and become the head of the home. All these things are to be taught and kept so that the Word of God does not become blasphemed, that is held in contempt by those who are always watching and looking to see if we do what we believe and preach.

Vs. 6-8 ⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

In these verses the Apostle Paul gives a quick word for the young men in the congregation, saying that they too be sober-minded, and not be given to extremes in behavior and speech. “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works…” Building a life around doing good works begins in one’s youth, and so learning to help others then, does much for one’s faith, and says much about one’s person and character, both then, and later in their lives. “…in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.” This is important because it is during one’s youth that one develops one’s core beliefs and character, and so keeping one’s doctrine pure and unadulterated or corrupted by this worlds fleeting values and morals is critical to keeping one’s faith in Jesus Christ throughout one’s life. “sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

Thus, no gossip, no slander, or defaming speech of others, and certainly no swearing or filthy language. For all these things are not becoming of us as children of God.

Vs. 9-10 ⁹ Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Though we do not have bondservants today we certainly have employee/employer relationships. And so, in these we as Christians should strive to show ourselves as being good employees, and not be contentious or argumentative towards whomever it is whom we are serving, whether the company, or its management, or its supervisory staff. Finically not pilfering from whomever it is who has employed us, because honesty is the mark of an honest man/honest woman, and is adorning the doctrine of God our Savior. Therefore, we should be considered trustworthy by our employers, that we don’t waste either their time, nor take for ourselves from their resources.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.