Bullet Point Bible

Teach Sound Doctrine

¹ But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching.

This verse marks a transition from describing false teachers (Titus 1) to outlining positive instruction.
"But as for you" (su de) emphasizes the contrast between Titus's responsibility and the actions of the false teachers.
"Sound teaching" (hugiainouse didaskalia) literally means "healthy teaching." It implies doctrine that produces spiritual health and godly living.
The core idea is that correct belief must lead to correct behavior; doctrine and duty are inseparable.
Titus's primary task is not just refuting error but actively promoting constructive, life-shaping truth.
This verse serves as the heading for the specific instructions that follow for different groups within the church.
The verb "communicate" (lalei) implies speaking authoritatively and clearly.

Instructions for Older Men

² Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Specific instructions begin, addressing various demographic groups within the Cretan church.
"Temperate" (nephalious) refers to sobriety, clear-headedness, and being free from excesses, not just regarding alcohol.
"Dignified" (semnous) implies seriousness, respectability, and inspiring reverence through character.
"Self-controlled" (sophronas) is a key theme in Titus, meaning sensible, prudent, and having mastery over one's desires.
"Sound" (hugiainontas) connects back to "sound teaching" in v. 1; their faith, love, and endurance should be healthy and robust.
These qualities provide stability and serve as an example within the church community.
Faith, love, and endurance form a triad often seen in Paul's writings (cf. 1 Thess 1:3, 1 Cor 13:13), representing core Christian virtues.
These characteristics would stand in stark contrast to the negative stereotypes associated with Cretans (Titus 1:12).

Instructions for Older and Younger Women

³ Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.⁴ In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children,⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited.

"Likewise" indicates that older women also have specific responsibilities aligned with sound doctrine.
"Behavior fitting for those who are holy" (en katastemati hieroprepeis) suggests conduct appropriate for someone engaged in sacred service; reverence in action.
Specific prohibitions address common societal issues: avoiding slander (diabolous - related to the word for "devil") and addiction to wine.
Older women have a positive teaching role ("teaching what is good"), specifically mentoring younger women.
The training focuses on domestic virtues and relationships: loving husbands and children, self-control, purity, managing the home, kindness, and submission to husbands.
"Fulfilling their duties at home" (oikourgous) emphasizes responsible household management, countering idleness or disorder.
The goal of this behavior is missional: "so that the message of God may not be discredited" (hina me ho logos tou theou blasphemetai). Christian conduct impacts the credibility of the gospel.
These instructions aimed to foster stable Christian households as a witness to the surrounding culture.
The concept of submission here, as elsewhere in the NT, is understood within the context of mutual love and respect, not domination.

Instructions for Younger Men and Titus

⁶ Encourage younger men likewise to be self-controlled,⁷ showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,⁸ and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us.

Younger men are primarily exhorted to be "self-controlled" (sophronein), the same core virtue emphasized for other groups. This likely addresses youthful passions and impulsiveness.
Titus himself is instructed to be the primary model ("make yourself an example"). His life must embody the teaching he imparts.
Titus's example should encompass "good works," demonstrating the practical outworking of faith.
His teaching ministry requires specific qualities: "integrity" (aphthorian - incorruptibility), "dignity" (semnoteta - seriousness), and "wholesome speech" (logon hugie - healthy words, echoing "sound doctrine").
The purpose of this exemplary conduct and sound speech is apologetic: to silence opponents.
If Titus and the believers live and speak irreproachably, those who oppose Christianity ("the one who opposes us") will have no valid basis for criticism and will be "ashamed."
This highlights the importance of public reputation and witness for the early church.

Instructions for Slaves

⁹ Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back,¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

Paul addresses believers who were slaves, a significant portion of the population in the Roman Empire.
The instructions focus on their conduct within the existing social structure: submission, agreeableness ("do what is wanted"), not being argumentative ("not talk back"), and honesty ("not to steal").
"Show complete and perfect fidelity" emphasizes trustworthiness and reliability in their service.
The motivation is explicitly theological: "so that in everything they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior."
Even in the difficult and unjust situation of slavery, a believer's conduct could make the gospel message attractive and beautiful ("adorn").
This passage does not endorse slavery as an institution but provides ethical guidance for Christians living within it.
The focus is on inner attitude and witness, demonstrating Christ-like character regardless of external circumstances.
By applying the gospel to this social group, Paul shows its relevance to all people and all situations.

The Theological Foundation: God's Grace

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.¹² It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,¹³ as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.¹⁴ He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.

"For" (gar) indicates that this section provides the theological basis for the preceding ethical instructions.
God's grace is the foundation and motivation for Christian living. It "has appeared" (epephane), likely referring to the incarnation and work of Christ.
Grace brings salvation universally ("to all people"), meaning it is available to everyone, Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.
Grace is not just forgiving; it is transformative. It actively "trains" (paideuousa) believers, like a tutor guiding a child.
This training involves renunciation ("reject godless ways and worldly desires") and positive cultivation ("live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives").
This transformed life is lived "in the present age," acknowledging the reality of living between Christ's first and second comings.
Christian living is fueled by future hope: "waiting for the happy fulfillment of our hope," identified as the "glorious appearing" (epiphaneian tes doxes) of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is explicitly called "our great God and Savior," a strong statement of his divinity.
Christ's redemptive work (giving himself) had a dual purpose: freedom from sin ("lawlessness") and purification of a people belonging to him ("a people who are truly his").
The result of redemption is a people "eager (zeloten - zealous) to do good deeds," linking back to the practical instructions earlier in the chapter. Grace empowers good works.

Concluding Charge to Titus

¹⁵ So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Donâ€(tm)t let anyone look down on you.

"So communicate these things" refers back to the instructions (vv. 1-10) and their theological basis (vv. 11-14).
Titus is to teach with confidence and "all authority" (meta pases epitages), derived from the divine origin of his message.
His ministry involves both positive reinforcement ("Encourage") and corrective action ("rebuke").
"Let no one disregard you" (medeis sou periphroneito) underscores the seriousness of the message and Titus's role as Paul's representative. Titus must not allow others to undermine his God-given authority to teach these truths.
This final charge reinforces the importance and non-negotiable nature of living out sound doctrine, empowered by God's grace.

The Bullet Point Bible

Titus 2