Study notes

Titus 2

Introducing TitusWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

2:1–15

Sound teaching was especially urgent on account of the false teachers, who had caused problems within "entire households" (1:11). In 2:1–10, Paul addresses different groups within the household of faith, showing his concern for the public testimony of the church (2:5, 8, 10; see also 1 Tim 5:1–6:2). Paul then elaborates on the coming of Christ (Titus 2:11–14) before giving a direct charge to Titus (2:15).

2:1–15 Section

Paul showed how each one of God’s people had important work to do.

They were to treat one another in ways that taught unbelievers about God. These ways were very different from what was common in Crete. In Crete it was common to tell lies, be lazy and eat too much (Titus 1:12).

God’s grace taught believers in Crete to say no to sin. It taught them how to live in godly and holy ways.

Believers were to obey Christ in their homes, in their work and in all their relationships. All members of each family should control themselves and treat one another with respect and love. They must be honest, kind and worthy of trust.

They must do this as they wait in hope for Jesus’ return. Titus was to teach, correct and encourage the believers about all these things.

2:9–10

The purpose of these commands is to "adorn the teaching about God" The New Living Translation translates it this way: "make the teaching about God … attractive" (see 1 Timothy 6:1–2).

2:11–15

For: The commands of 2:1–10 are here grounded in the past and future coming of Christ. God’s grace is a model for the church’s own conduct, even as salvation by grace makes a good life possible and creates people devoted to good works (see also 3:3–7).

2:12

  • It instructs us: The emphasis of this instruction falls on the positive virtues: wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. In Greco-Roman writings, these three virtues represent virtuous behavior in general. These virtues counter the Cretan vices (immoral behaviors or qualities) listed in 1:12 and are transformed into thoroughly Christian qualities (see 2:13).

  • Paul encourages the Cretans to embody these virtues, in order to clearly show their fellow Cretans that a virtuous life comes only from God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

2:13

  • we await: This implies hope as well as future accountability, both of which encourage godly behavior in the present.

  • appearance: The Greek word used here is prominent in the letters to Timothy and Titus (“epiphany” or “appearing”; also 2:11; see study note on 1 Timothy 6:14).

  • great God and Savior: This is one of the few places in the New Testament where Jesus Christ is explicitly called “God” (see also John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1; possibly John 1:18). Yet this claim is entirely consistent with the roles and attributes of Christ and the worship that he receives. It is possible this title is used here to assert that Christ is not a mere human elevated to the status of other gods (see study note on Titus 1:12). When this letter was written, Christians were insisting more and more that Christ alone, rather than rulers and emperors, should be called divine.

2:14

  • Salvation produces a people who have the desire for and ability to do the good deeds described in 2:2–10.

  • He gave Himself: See also 1 Timothy 2:6.

  • to redeem us: See Galatians 3:22; 4:4–5; compare Exodus 6:6–8.

  • The phrase "a people for His own possession" recalls the formation of Israel as a nation (see Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2). Those who follow Christ are now God’s people—his nation—and the Spirit leads them to keep God’s covenant.

  • totally committed to doing good deeds (literally zealous for good deeds): See Titus 1:16; Ephesians 2:10.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources