Titus / Chapter 2

Titus 2

15 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Paul instructs Titus to teach what accords with sound doctrine, then specifies age- and gender-appropriate exhortations: older men are to be temperate and sound in faith; older women are to be reverent and train the younger women in domestic virtues; younger men are to be self-controlled, with Titus himself as a model. The chapter then soars into one of the New Testament's most concentrated theological passages: 'The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, while we wait for the 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 of his own who are zealous for good works.'

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

Verses 11-14 constitute one of the densest christological and soteriological passages in the Pastoral Epistles. The phrase 'our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' (v. 13) is one of the clearest New Testament affirmations of Christ's deity, applying both 'God' and 'Savior' to Jesus in a single construction (the Granville Sharp rule in Greek grammar). Grace is personified as a teacher (paideuousa, v. 12) — the same grace that saves also trains. The tension between 'has appeared' (v. 11, first coming) and 'the appearing' (v. 13, second coming) structures Christian existence as life between two epiphanies.

Translation Friction

The household instructions in verses 2-10 reflect first-century social structures, particularly regarding women's roles. We render the Greek accurately without either modernizing or amplifying the cultural specifics. The phrase 'our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' (v. 13) is grammatically ambiguous — it could refer to one person (Jesus Christ who is both God and Savior) or two persons (God the Father and Jesus Christ the Savior). The Granville Sharp construction strongly favors the single-referent reading, which we adopt. The instruction for slaves (vv. 9-10) is rendered faithfully; Paul addresses the social reality without endorsing slavery as an institution.

Connections

The grace epiphany (vv. 11-14) parallels Titus 3:4-7 in structure and theology. The 'blessed hope' connects to Romans 8:23-25 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Christ's self-giving 'to redeem us from all lawlessness' (v. 14) echoes Psalm 130:8 and Ezekiel 37:23. The phrase 'a people of his own' (laon periousion) quotes the Septuagint of Exodus 19:5 and Deuteronomy 14:2, applying Israel's covenant identity to the church.

Titus 2:1

Σὺ δὲ λάλει ἃ πρέπει τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ.

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

KJV But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The contrast with the false teachers of chapter 1 is marked by the emphatic 'you' (sy de). The verb lalei ('speak, teach') combined with prepei ('is fitting, accords with') demands that teaching content match doctrinal health. The medical metaphor hygiainousē didaskalia ('sound/healthy doctrine') continues from 1:9.
Titus 2:2

πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι, σεμνούς, σώφρονας, ὑγιαίνοντας τῇ πίστει, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ.

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

KJV That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek presbytas ('older men') refers to age, not the office of elder (presbyteros). The three character traits (sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled) are followed by three spheres of health: faith (pistei), love (agapē), and endurance (hypomonē). The medical metaphor appears again: hygiainontas ('being healthy/sound') in these three areas.
Titus 2:3

πρεσβύτιδας ὡσαύτως ἐν καταστήματι ἱεροπρεπεῖς, μὴ διαβόλους, μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας, καλοδιδασκάλους,

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

KJV The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek hieroprepes ('reverent, befitting a sacred person') literally means 'fitting for a temple' — older women are to carry themselves with priestly dignity. The prohibition against being diabolous ('slanderous') uses the same word as 'devil' — gossip makes one an agent of the accuser. The positive role kalodidaskalous ('teachers of good things') establishes older women as authorized teachers within the community.
Titus 2:4

ἵνα σωφρονίζωσιν τὰς νέας φιλάνδρους εἶναι, φιλοτέκνους,

That they may instruct the youthful women to be sober, to devotion their husbands, to devotion their children,.

KJV That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb sōphronizōsin ('train, bring to their senses, encourage') implies practical mentoring, not merely theoretical instruction. The two phil- compounds — philandrous ('husband-loving') and philoteknous ('children-loving') — place domestic relationships at the center of the younger women's formation. This is mentorship by example, not classroom instruction.
Titus 2:5

σώφρονας, ἁγνάς, οἰκουργούς, ἀγαθάς, ὑποτασσομένας τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν, ἵνα μὴ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ βλασφημῆται.

to be self-controlled, pure, attentive to their homes, kind, and respectful toward their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

KJV To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The purpose clause — 'that the word of God may not be reviled' (hina mē ho logos tou theou blasphēmētai) — reveals the missional logic behind the instruction. In a Roman context where Christianity was already suspect, household disorder would bring public disgrace on the gospel. The Greek oikourgous ('working at home, managing the household') describes domestic productivity and management, not mere confinement.
Titus 2:6

τοὺς νεωτέρους ὡσαύτως παρακάλει σωφρονεῖν,

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

KJV Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The brevity is striking — younger men receive a single instruction: sōphronein ('to be self-controlled'). Self-control (sōphrosynē) is the virtue most frequently mentioned in this chapter, appearing in some form in verses 2, 4, 5, 6, and 12. It is the master virtue for the Cretan context.
Titus 2:7

περὶ πάντα σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος τύπον καλῶν ἔργων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀφθορίαν, σεμνότητα,

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

KJV In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Titus himself must be the typon ('pattern, model, example') — teaching is authenticated by the teacher's life. The qualities listed — aphthorian ('integrity, incorruptibility') and semnotēta ('dignity, gravity') — apply to both the content and the manner of his teaching.
Titus 2:8

λόγον ὑγιῆ ἀκατάγνωστον, ἵνα ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας ἐντραπῇ μηδὲν ἔχων λέγειν περὶ ἡμῶν φαῦλον.

Use wholesome speech that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

KJV Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The goal is apologetic: sound speech (logon hygiē) that is beyond condemnation (akatagnōston) removes ammunition from opponents. The Greek entrapē ('may be put to shame') describes the silencing of critics who can find no legitimate charge — a missional strategy through irreproachable conduct and teaching.
Titus 2:9

δούλους ἰδίοις δεσπόταις ὑποτάσσεσθαι ἐν πᾶσιν, εὐαρέστους εἶναι, μὴ ἀντιλέγοντας,

Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

KJV Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek doulous ('slaves, bondservants') addresses the large enslaved population in the Roman world. Paul's instructions operate within the existing social structure while transforming the slave's motivation — as the next verse shows, the purpose is 'to adorn the doctrine of God.' Paul does not explicitly endorse or condemn the institution here; the Pastoral Epistles focus on conduct within existing circumstances.
Titus 2:10

μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πᾶσαν πίστιν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν.

Not purloining, but shewing all upright fidelity. That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all matters.

KJV Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb kosmōsin ('may adorn, may decorate') gives the passage its striking theological image: faithful living beautifies doctrine. The Christian slave's trustworthiness is not mere compliance but a form of witness — making the gospel attractive (kosmos, from which 'cosmetic' derives). 'God our Savior' (tou sōtēros hēmōn theou) applies the Savior title to God the Father, continuing the alternation noted throughout the letter.
Titus 2:11

Ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

KJV For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ἐπιφαίνω epiphainō
"has appeared" — to appear, to become visible, to manifest, to shine upon

In Hellenistic usage, epiphaneia described the visible manifestation of a deity or the arrival of a king. Paul appropriates this language for Christ's coming — the true divine epiphany.

Translator Notes

  1. The verb epephanē ('has appeared, has been manifested') is the root of 'epiphany' — grace arrived in history as a visible event, primarily in the incarnation and work of Christ. The adjective sōtērios ('saving, bringing salvation') modifies grace — grace itself is the saving agent. 'All people' (pasin anthrōpois) declares the universal scope of God's saving purpose, though the Pastoral Epistles do not thereby teach automatic universalism.
Titus 2:12

παιδεύουσα ἡμᾶς, ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι,

It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.

KJV Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Grace is personified as a trainer (paideuousa, from paideuō — 'to train, educate, discipline a child'). The same grace that saves also forms character. The training has two dimensions: negative (renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions) and positive (living with self-control, justice, and piety). The three adverbs — sōphronōs (self-controlled), dikaiōs (uprightly), eusebōs (godly) — correspond to one's relationship to self, neighbor, and God respectively.
Titus 2:13

προσδεχόμενοι τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,

while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

KJV Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ἐπιφάνεια epiphaneia
"appearing" — appearance, manifestation, epiphany

Used here for Christ's second coming, balanced against the first 'appearing' of grace in verse 11. The two epiphanies frame the Christian life: saved by the first, oriented toward the second.

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase tou megalou theou kai sōtēros hēmōn Iēsou Christou ('of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ') applies both titles — 'great God' and 'Savior' — to Jesus Christ. The Granville Sharp rule in Greek grammar (a single article governing two nouns joined by kai where the first noun is not a proper name) indicates a single referent. This is among the most explicit New Testament affirmations of Christ's deity. The 'blessed hope' (makarian elpida) is the second epiphany — Christ's return in glory — which creates the frame: life between two appearings.
Titus 2:14

ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνομίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων.

Who offered himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar those present, zealous of good deeds.

KJV Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

λαὸς περιούσιος laos periousios
"a people for his own possession" — a special people, a treasured possession, a people belonging to God

The Septuagint's translation of Hebrew am segullah ('treasured people'). By applying this covenant phrase to the church, Paul declares that Christ's redemptive work creates the same kind of relationship God established with Israel at Sinai.

Translator Notes

  1. Christ's self-giving (edōken heauton) has a double purpose: redemption from lawlessness (lytrosētai, 'to ransom, to liberate by payment') and purification of a people. The phrase laon periousion ('a people for his own possession') directly quotes the Septuagint of Exodus 19:5 and Deuteronomy 14:2 — Israel's covenant identity is now applied to the church. 'Zealous for good works' (zēlōtēn kalōn ergōn) connects the doctrinal heights of verses 11-14 back to the practical ethics of the entire chapter.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Exodus 19:5. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Deuteronomy 14:2. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Titus 2:15

Ταῦτα λάλει καὶ παρακάλει καὶ ἔλεγχε μετὰ πάσης ἐπιταγῆς· μηδείς σου περιφρονείτω.

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

KJV These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Three imperatives — speak (lalei), exhort (parakalei), rebuke (elegche) — cover the full range of pastoral communication. The phrase meta pasēs epitagēs ('with all authority') underscores that Titus acts with apostolic delegation. The final command — mēdeis sou periphroneitō ('let no one think around you, let no one disregard you') — parallels 1 Timothy 4:12 and indicates that Titus, like Timothy, may have faced challenges to his authority.
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