Introduction

In Titus 2:1–15, Paul commands Titus to teach sound doctrine and ensure that Christians live lives that reflect the Gospel. Addressing various groups—older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and bondservants—Paul describes how godly living adorns the doctrine of God. Rooted in the saving grace of God, this transformation leads believers to renounce sin, live righteously, and await the return of Christ, reflecting His glory.

Key Points

• Main Point: The saving grace of God completely changes lives by producing godly living that adorns the doctrine of God.
• Purpose: Adorn the doctrine of God with godly everyday living and live in anticipation of Christ’s return.

Titus 2:1

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Paul commands Titus to teach according to sound doctrine, meaning to teach God’s ways as revealed in His Word. He provides examples within the context of a renewed family unit (2:2–10), emphasizing the importance of this teaching because believers are recipients of God’s life-transforming grace. Right believing and right living are inseparable. As we consistently sit under faithful teaching of God’s Word, our beliefs align more closely with His truth, and our lives reflect His ways more fully.

Titus 2:2

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Fathers have been entrusted with the noble responsibility of leading their households. To fulfill this role, they must exemplify gentleness and self-control, balancing strength to support and protect their family with tenderness to nurture and guide them. A godly father is not defined merely by his ability to provide materially or emotionally but by his commitment to self-control and sound doctrine, using his life to love, protect, and lead his family in alignment with God’s ways.

Titus 2:3–4a

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women…

Mothers have been entrusted with the noble task of managing the household (1 Tim 4:9–10, 14), which requires self-control and diligence. In fulfilling this role, they not only care for their own household but also create a ripple effect of care that extends beyond it, particularly by teaching their daughters to follow in their footsteps (2:4b–5). A godly mother is not solely focused on her children’s future well-being but is a woman who exemplifies self-control and sound doctrine, using her life to love, nurture, and protect her family in alignment with God’s ways.

Titus 2:4b–5

…and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Motherhood is a calling that applies not only to older women but also to younger women. The same principles of self-control and diligence are essential for younger women, enabling them to honor God’s Word both in their beliefs and in their actions. Self-control and diligence are not virtues confined to older, mature individuals; they are relevant to people of all ages, including children, teenagers, and young adults. Regardless of age, everyone can grow in these qualities, embodying practical godliness that reflects God’s truth in everyday life.

Titus 2:6–8

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

The expectations for young men—including Titus—are particularly weighty. They are called not only to exhibit self-control but also to model it for those around them, whether friends or adversaries. Additionally, their teaching must align entirely with God’s Word, both in theory and practice, a standard that requires time, effort, and divine wisdom to sharpen. Self-control goes beyond personal discipline; it represents God to both believers and non-believers. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can grow daily in self-control, reflecting God’s character in our actions and interactions.

Titus 2:9–10a

Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith…

Paul reiterates that while being a Christian grants equal standing before God, it does not justify rebellion against employers. Christian employees, like other Christians in a household, are called to exhibit self-control, ensuring their conduct adorns the doctrine of God their Savior (2:10) in the workplace. In any position of subordination—whether as students in school or employees in the workplace—we honor God by faithfully and excellently completing our work with integrity and respect, thereby honoring our employers, even when disagreements arise.

Titus 2:10b

… so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Paul concludes his instructions to Christians in households with a central goal: revealing the beauty of knowing the Sovereign God who has saved us from sin. Self-control magnifies God, as it demonstrates that He is more beautiful and worthy of adoration than the fleeting allure of sinful pleasure. Our deliberate growth in self-control and godliness is not an end in itself but a proclamation that God’s worth surpasses all else, making Him far more desirable than any worldly temptation.

Titus 2:11–12

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…

Paul vividly describes the beautiful doctrine of God our Savior. Through the grace of God—Jesus Christ—salvation has been graciously offered to people of every background. This same grace empowers and trains believers to live like Christ—godly and self-controlled—enabling them to overcome ungodliness and worldly passions. God has graciously saved every believer and delights in empowering each of us to grow in godliness and self-control, proclaiming His surpassing beauty over the fleeting allure of worldly desires.

Titus 2:13–14

…waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Paul emphasizes that godliness is not an end in itself but a response to the hope of Christ’s glorious return. Christ gave His life to redeem us from our enslavement to lawlessness, calling us to be His own godly people. Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are no longer enslaved by sin and death. We now belong to the Lord and share in His life, with the promise of being resurrected into His complete presence when He returns (1 Cor 15:50–57).

Titus 2:15

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Paul reminds Titus to declare these truths: to proclaim the good news of God’s grace, to encourage growth in godliness, to appoint godly leaders, and to refute deceitful false teachers. Paul entrusts Titus with his authority, ensuring that every Cretan Christian takes his holistic teaching of God’s Word seriously. Leaders and laypersons share the responsibility of upholding the good news of God’s grace, both in principle and practice, inwardly and outwardly. Laypersons are called to submit to God’s Word through faithful teaching, even when it challenges them, while leaders are held to a higher standard as caretakers of those they lead.

Conclusion

Titus 2:1–15 demonstrates that the saving grace of God transforms believers’ lives, producing godly living that adorns the doctrine of God. Christians are called to embody godliness in everyday life, whether in the family, workplace, or community. This godliness is a response to God’s grace and a reflection of His glory, pointing others to the beauty of the Gospel. Furthermore, believers are to live in anticipation of Christ’s return, striving to be zealous for good works as His redeemed people.

Summary

• Sound doctrine leads to lives that adorn the Gospel (2:1).
• Older men are to exhibit self-control, faith, and steadfastness, modeling godliness for others (2:2).
• Older women are to live reverently and train younger women in love, purity, and diligence (2:3–4a).
• Younger women are to honor God by embodying self-control, kindness, and submission in their households (2:4b–5).
• Younger men, including Titus, are to model self-control, integrity, and sound speech in all aspects of life (2:6–8).
• Bondservants are to honor their masters through respectful, faithful, and diligent service, adorning the Gospel (2:9–10a).
• Godly living adorns the doctrine of God, demonstrating the beauty of the Gospel (2:10b).
• God’s grace saves and trains believers to renounce sin and live righteous, self-controlled lives (2:11–12).
• Believers are to live as Christ’s purified people, zealous for good works and awaiting His return (2:13–14).
• Leaders must teach, exhort, and rebuke with authority to ensure that sound doctrine is upheld in the church (2:15).