Titus 2

Titus 2, part of Paul’s letter to Titus, written around AD 62–64, likely from Macedonia, provides instructions for teaching sound doctrine to various groups in the Cretan church. Paul emphasizes godly behavior for older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and slaves, urging Titus to be a model of good works. The goal is to adorn the gospel through lives transformed by God’s grace, awaiting Christ’s return.
Key Sections
Teaching Sound Doctrine (2:1–10): Titus must teach what accords with sound doctrine:
Older men: Be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and steadfastness.

Older women: Be reverent, not slanderers or drunkards, teaching what is good to younger women.

Younger women: Love husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, submissive to husbands, to avoid dishonoring God’s word.

Younger men: Be self-controlled, with Titus as their example in good works, integrity, dignity, and sound speech, silencing opponents.

Slaves: Be submissive to masters, pleasing, not argumentative or stealing, but trustworthy, adorning the doctrine of God.
Grace of God in Salvation (2:11–14): God’s grace has appeared, bringing salvation for all, training believers to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives, awaiting Christ’s return. Jesus gave Himself to redeem us from lawlessness and purify a people zealous for good works.
Authority in Teaching (2:15): Titus must declare, exhort, and rebuke with authority, letting no one disregard him.
Cross-References
Sound Doctrine: 
1 Timothy 1:10: Sound teaching.

2 Timothy 4:3: Hold to truth.

Titus 1:9: Faithful word.
Older Men’s Conduct: 
1 Timothy 3:2–4: Overseers’ traits.

1 Peter 5:1–3: Elder example.

Proverbs 16:31: Gray hair’s honor.
Older Women’s Role: 
1 Timothy 5:9–10: Widows’ works.

Proverbs 31:26: Teach wisdom.

1 Timothy 2:9–10: Modesty.
Younger Women: 
Ephesians 5:22–24: Wives’ submission.

1 Peter 3:1–4: Inner beauty.

Proverbs 31:10–12: Virtuous wife.
Younger Men and Titus: 
1 Timothy 4:12: Youthful example.

2 Timothy 2:22: Flee passions.

Philippians 3:17: Follow example.
Slaves’ Conduct: 
Ephesians 6:5–8: Serve as to Christ.

1 Timothy 6:1–2: Honor masters.

Colossians 3:22–24: Work heartily.
Grace and Salvation: 
Ephesians 2:8–10: Saved for works.

1 Timothy 2:4: Salvation for all.

Romans 5:2: Hope of glory.
Christ’s Redemption: 
Galatians 1:4: Gave for sins.

1 Peter 2:9: Chosen people.

Hebrews 9:12: Eternal redemption.
Theological Meaning
Sound Doctrine’s Impact: Teaching truth shapes godly character across all groups (2:1; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Role-Specific Godliness: Each group’s behavior reflects faith, honoring God’s word (2:5; Ephesians 4:1).

Gospel’s Adornment: Godly lives make the gospel attractive, countering criticism (2:10; Matthew 5:16).

Grace’s Transformation: Salvation by grace trains believers for holiness, rejecting sin (2:11–12; Romans 6:1–2).

Christ’s Purpose: Jesus’ sacrifice purifies a people devoted to good works (2:14; 1 Peter 2:24).

Eschatological Hope: Believers live for Christ’s return, motivated by redemption (2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Questions and Answers
Why teach different groups (2:1–10)?
To ensure all live godly, reflecting sound doctrine in Crete’s immoral culture (2:1; Titus 1:12).

What should older women teach (2:3–4)?
Train younger women in family love, purity, and submission, protecting the gospel’s honor (2:4–5; Proverbs 31:27).

Why slaves’ submission (2:9–10)?
To show faith’s integrity, making the gospel attractive in Crete’s society (2:10; Colossians 3:23).

How does grace “train” us (2:12)?
It empowers rejection of sin and pursuit of godliness, preparing for Christ’s return (2:12; Ephesians 2:10).

What is the “blessed hope” (2:13)?
Christ’s glorious return, motivating holy living (2:13; 1 John 3:2–3).

Why Titus’s authority (2:15)?
To enforce truth against Crete’s false teachers, ensuring obedience (2:15; 1 Timothy 4:11).

How does this apply today?
Live godly, mentor others, and await Christ, making the gospel attractive (2:10; 1 Peter 2:12).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to Titus on Crete (Titus 1:5), likely after Paul’s release from Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:30), this chapter addresses a church in a morally lax culture (Titus 1:12). Crete’s trade and piracy (Acts 27:7) fostered greed and division, needing godly examples (2:7–10). False teachers (Titus 1:10–11) required Titus’s firm teaching (2:15).

Cultural Questions: “Sound doctrine” (2:1) counters Crete’s deceptive philosophies (Titus 1:10). “Older women” (2:3) reflects Crete’s matriarchal influence, redirected for faith (Proverbs 31:1). “Working at home” (2:5) aligns with Greco-Roman household norms, vital in Crete (1 Timothy 5:14). “Slaves” (2:9) were common in Crete’s economy, their conduct impacting witness (Ephesians 6:6). “Grace appeared” (2:11) uses Greco-Roman epiphany language, bold in Crete’s paganism (John 1:9). “Zealous” (2:14) evokes Jewish devotion, resonant in Crete’s Jewish communities (Galatians 4:18).

Application: Titus 2 calls believers to live out sound doctrine, mentor others, and hope in Christ’s return. It challenges worldly behavior, false teaching, and apathy, urging lives that glorify the gospel in a corrupt world (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:8).