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Teaching Sound Doctrine
Titus 2:1-10 tells Titus to teach what fits sound doctrine. The passage then names older men, older women, young wives, younger men, Titus, and servants, showing the kinds of conduct that match that teaching.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of the letter gives direct teaching for what Titus should say and how he should live. The instructions move through named people in turn and repeatedly stress soundness, self-control, good behaviour, and the effect this has on God’s word and doctrine.
Titus 2:1–10Main takeaway
This passage teaches that sound doctrine is shown through self-controlled, faithful, and honourable conduct.
Follow the letter’s teaching
01Speak what fits sound doctrineThe opening command sets the pattern for the whole passage: Titus must say the things that fit sound doctrine.
Explanation
The opening command sets the pattern for the whole passage: Titus must say the things that fit sound doctrine. The verses that follow show the kinds of speech, behaviour, and faithfulness that match this teaching. The passage presents doctrine together with conduct that suits it.
02Older men and older womenOlder men are to be temperate, sensible, sober minded, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.
Explanation
Older men are to be temperate, sensible, sober minded, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers and not enslaved to much wine. They are also called to be teachers of what is good, using their lives and words well.
03Young wives and younger menOlder women are to train the young wives to love their husbands and children. The young wives are told to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, and in subjection to their own husbands.
Explanation
Older women are to train the young wives to love their husbands and children. The young wives are told to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, and in subjection to their own husbands. Younger men are also urged to be sober minded. The purpose given is that God’s word may not be blasphemed, meaning spoken against.
04Titus and servantsTitus must show himself an example of good works and teach with integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, and sound speech that cannot be condemned.
Explanation
Titus must show himself an example of good works and teach with integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. Servants are told to be subject to their own masters, not contradicting or stealing, but showing good fidelity. In this way, the doctrine of God our Saviour is adorned, shown in an attractive and honourable way.
Questions to explore
01What is Titus commanded to speak at the start of the passage?
Read the opening line carefully and notice that the rest of the passage gives examples of what fits that command.
02Which qualities are repeated for more than one group?
03What results does the passage connect with faithful behaviour and sound speech?
Look for the stated purposes about God’s word, the opponent, and the doctrine of God our Saviour.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Titus 2:1–10
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 show yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, show 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.