Titus 2

1. But now you must show them the kind of life that comes from healthy teaching.

Luke 9:55, James 3:1

We build our doctrine on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 6:3

2. Old men should have self-control, honored, spiritually wise, healthy in their faith with genuine love and endurance.

Older Christian men have a history with God. Compare 1 John 2:13–14 to understand what God is saying to older men.

Numbers 8:25-26 shows that when a priest reaches the age of fifty he will be retired from serving in the temple. His job then will be to counsel the younger men to show them how to protect the ministry.

3. In the same way, the older women should behave as set-apart temple servants not devilish accusers, not given to wine, examples of the Christian life.

1 Timothy 3:3-8, 1 Peter 3:5-6

The original language could be translated as, “not devilish.” This shows how serious it is to give the devil an opening by saying things that accuse people. Revelation 12:10 says that the devil accuses us day and night. Why would we want to work together with our enemy to accuse another Christian?

4 -5

That they may demonstrate how women can love their husbands and children. Showing them how to use their common sense. To be very careful of temptations from other men. Happy in their homes. Kind. Willing to adjust their lives to live with their husbands so that the word of God is not mocked.

Ephesians 5:22-23, Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 31

Make a list of the things that Naomi taught to Ruth.

6. In the same way, show the younger men how to have a purpose in life.

The concepts listed here show how old men are compared with young men.

1 John 2:13–14 Shows us that young men need to overcome temptation by filling themselves with the word of God.

7. In everything you do be an example of a good way to live, clean and respectable in your teaching.

1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Corinthians 3:2

But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:16

8. Be careful of the way you talk so that our enemies cannot use it against us.

Romans 14:16

James tells us that our tongue is like a fire (James 3:5).

Proverbs tells us not to add more wood to the fire (Proverbs 26:20).

David asked God to help him control his tongue (Psalm 120:2-4).

9 - 10

Teach servants how to work for their bosses. They should not answer back or steal from their job. They should be trustworthy. They should make the Christian way of life look good.

1 Timothy 6:1-2, Ephesians 5:8-9, Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:22

Working under a boss gives us a chance to walk as Jesus did. Jesus did not demand an easy way. He told us that if someone forces you to carry something for one mile you should carry it two miles. Going the second mile makes people curious if we do it in the right spirit. They will ask us why we are living this way. This gives us a chance to explain the Christian way of life.

11 - 12

Because God's powerful grace, which can save men, has been shown for all men to see. It schools us in how to have nothing to do with things that go against God or the passions of this world and to live a life of self-control and honesty in the fear of God.

The word for “schools us” is the same word “schoolmaster” used in Galatians.

Therefore the Law has become our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24).

This word speaks of a guide who carefully walks with a young student until they no longer need a schoolmaster.

13. Waiting with confidence for the glory of our God and Savior Jesus Christ to appear.

2 Peter 1:1

A singular noun, followed by another noun, which is not plural always refers to the same thing. Because of this rule of grammar we would not think of “gods and saviors.” The language is saying that Jesus is our God AND Savior. This is called the Granville-Sharp Rule.

14. He gave Himself for us, to set us free from our evil way and to create for Himself a different kind of people who have their hearts set on living a life that is clean and pure.

There are several passages which describe us as a different or peculiar kind of people. God wants us to stand out from the rest of the world. This is why some of the things He asks us to do seem so strange to us.

Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 26:18, Psalm 135:4,1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Peter 2:9

The Greek version of the Hebrew Old Testament calls believers His “peculiar treasure” (Malachi 3:17).

15. Tell people all these things. Beg them and challenge them. Use the authority which God has given you. Do not let anyone ignore you!