The Bible — World English Bible

Titus 2

In brief

In Titus 2, Paul asks Titus to teach what fits sound doctrine, and to show by his own life what it looks like. He goes through older men, older women, younger women, younger men and slaves, so that the gospel is honored by the conduct of believers. At the center, verses 11 to 14 give the foundation: the grace of God has appeared, it saves, it teaches us to live differently and makes us wait for the return of Jesus.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-8A life that fits sound doctrine, for every age
  2. v. 9-10Honoring the gospel at work
  3. v. 11-14The grace of God that saves and teaches
  4. v. 15Teach and exhort with authority

1But say the things which fit sound doctrine,

2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance:

3and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good,

4that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,

5to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.

6Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded.

7In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,

8and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting,

10not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;

13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Key verses

Verse 1
But say the things which fit sound doctrine,

Paul asks Titus to say what fits sound doctrine. Christian teaching is not separate from life: it is confirmed by the way we live.

Verse 7-8
In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

Titus must himself be a model of good works, with pure teaching and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the opponent has nothing bad to say. A leader's example goes along with his message.

Verse 11-12
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;

The grace of God brings salvation to all, and it also teaches. It does not merely forgive, it teaches us to renounce ungodliness and to live with self-control, righteousness and godliness.

Verse 13
looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

The Christian hope is the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Present life is oriented toward his return.

Verse 14
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

Jesus gave himself to redeem and purify a people of his own, zealous for good works. Good works here are the fruit of salvation, not its price.

Bible verses to meditate on

What the sermons say

A Genuine People: What Titus 2 Asks of YouThe preacher starts from a personal memory: when you bear the name of Jesus, your life speaks, sometimes in contrast with your mouth. He reads Titus 2:1-10 as a call to an authenticity grounded in the Word.Read the summary →The Grace That Trains You (Titus 2:11-15)The sermon from the Saint-Lazare church asks what drives our actions. It shows that authenticity is not enough if the driving force is flawed: the grace of Titus 2:11-15 is what shapes a life.Read the summary →Grace Saves You and Teaches You to Live DifferentlyMatt Glock warns that reading Titus 2 as a checklist crushes you. At the heart of the chapter, the gospel comes before the instructions: grace does not merely forgive, it teaches.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Titus 2

What does Titus 2:11 mean?

The verse says that the grace of God, bringing salvation to all people, has appeared in Jesus Christ. Salvation is offered to everyone, without distinction, as a gift. The following verses specify that this grace is not only forgiveness: it also shapes the way of life of the one who receives it.

What is the main message of Titus 2?

Paul wants the lives of believers of every age and condition to match the gospel they proclaim. The foundation of this life is not moral effort, but the grace of God that saves and teaches. The hope of Jesus' return gives the direction, and his death makes God's people pure and zealous for good.

How should we understand the instructions of Titus 2 about women and slaves today?

These verses are addressed to first-century communities, in a social setting very different from ours. Christians read them in varied ways, some with a direct application, others by distinguishing the principle from its cultural context. All hold to the goal: that the word of God not be discredited by the conduct of believers.

Articles quoting Titus 2

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World English Bible translation — public domain.