Bible Study Notes On Titus Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Bible Text

Notes and Thoughts

1 ¶ But speak thou the things which befit sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, serious, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things,
4 that 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.
6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober minded,
7 in all things showing thyself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, seriousness, sincerity,
8 sound speech which cannot be condemned, that he that is of a contrary mind 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 gainsaying,
10 not purloining, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world,
13 looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works.
15 ¶ These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Paul now examines and discuses different areas of the ministry.
v1-4 The mature / older members
Titus was a young man so he may have had problems relating to older members of the fellowship. Paul lists areas of responsibility that he expected the older men members to be reliable in. v2 Sober Avoid excess of wine, with time on their hand they might be tempted to over use wine.
Serious not someone who never laughs, but he is respected by others, people know that he has put some serious thought to any matter under discussion.
Temperate able to self-control their life, does not behaving frivolous or in a childish way.
Sound in faith These men should know and understand what they believe in. As a result of their faith they should have charity (love) and patience with others.
v3 In the same way the older women should have the same qualities as the older men plus a few others. They should be holy in their life, they should behave as believers, not spreading tales and possible lies about others. Their experience and attitude to others should make them good teachers, helping the younger women .
v4-8 The younger saints.
v4 The older women have the responsibilities to teach the younger women. The Christian home was something new in the Roman Empire. Often marriages were arranged, love was not often the reason for a marriage.
Look at Eph 5:21-33 for what a Christian home should be like.
v5 Discreet as v2 temperate, sober-minded, thinking things out.
Chaste Pure in mind and heart.
Keepers at home. Caring for the home. 1 Tim 5:14. Making sure that their actions and behaviour are all to the glory of God. Family problems like divorce etc. amongst believers is a poor witness to the world.
v6 Paul suggested that Titus was to let the older women teach and monitor the women of the fellowship while he concentrated on encouraging the younger men. This was a good idea as Titus may have had problems with dealing with young ladies.
v7 The word translated pattern is used to describe an impression made by a die, that is a perfect copy of a master. Titus was to be a copy of his Master, Jesus, good works, good doctrine and teaching, a life which was to give glory to God.
v9-15 Christian Servants or Slaves See also Eph 6:5-9; 1 Tim 6:1-2.
The Roman Empire was had a very large slave population, so they would often become believers. v9 Paul gives three warnings to these servants, or as in most homes, slaves.
Obedience. They were to avoid being diobedient to their masters, working to please the master. Eph 6:6
Gainsaying. Not to answer back, slaves were permitted to discus a job with their master as they may have known more about the work, but they were not allowed to argue with the master.
v10 Not purloining. Not to steal. Good fidelity, the Master could trust the slave in all things.
Their life should be showing their Saviour and teaching to the world.
v11-15 Our Saviour
v11 Why should the believers behave this way? Because of the grace of God through His Son Jesus, our Saviour. We do not deserve salvation, we cannot save ourselves, but through His grace we have a way back to God, our wrong life forgiven.
v12 Grace helps us live a life pleasing to God. Our attitude is changed by the Grace of God, the same grace which saved us is now changing us. 1 John 2:15-17
v13 We live in this present world but we are looking towards a new,wonderful life in the future, when Jesus Christ comes back to take us out of this world. The rewards of Grace.
v14 A Saviour who gave Himself for us so that all the grace of God could be poured out on us, making us His special (peculiar) people, holy and pure through His power.
v15 Our behaviour shows the love and grace of God, but Paul encourages Titus to keep telling the world of this love and grace. Make sure that your ministry does not put people off of the message of salvation. Remember you speak with the authority of God's Word.

Easy English Translation

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The Letter to Titus