Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
The Judaizing teachers not only taught a false doctrine, but they led an unholy life; Titus was to act directly opposite; he must teach a sacred doctrine, and the things which become it; he must proclaim the truth, and illustrate that truth. The people must not only be well instructed, but they must be holy in their lives. Principle and practice must go hand in hand. (Clark)
One new Christian said, why don't Christians agree? Why are they always arguing?
Sound doctrine is the word of God taken in context. It is accurately spoken and it is God's absolute truth. If the word of God is not clearly understood, probably others do not understand either. Do not supply the answer if something is not clear. We are not to assume something is true and then look for support for our view in God's word. We must examine all the word to understand about a teaching. Doctrines that divide, probably are not the whole truth but part of a larger truth. We cannot preach one verse and overlook all others.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Preach the word as it is and do not speak words to make an audience happy or to entertain them.
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Sound docrine has Jesus at the center.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
He is the way of salvation and restoration to God, the Father. We were originally created in his image, to have fellowship with him. Satan tempted Eve and Adam did not correct her.
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
The result was through believing the lie, they died in body and in spirit. Blood sacrifice was required for the covering of sins. By faith in God's promises, the Son, the seed, salvation comes to us.
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
What are basic doctrines that we should teach? Perhaps we should examine some of the assumptions that we hear?
Assumption: God loves everyone.
God loves us through receiving Jesus as Lord. His justice will send the non believer to hell. We cannot separate his love from his justice.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Assumption: We are all God's children, he would not send anyone to hell.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
The sheep are those who believe and follow Jesus, the shepherd. The goats are those who do not believe and do not belong to him.
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Hell was created for the devil and his angels. Those who go to hell would not repent from their sins and come to Jesus for forgiveness and a new life.
Assumption: Water baptism in Jesus' name is salvation.
We are commanded to be baptized as a sign to men and spirits that we identify with Jesus Christ. Baptism is in obedience. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, wherein we receive grace to become the eternal children of God.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Assumption: We are saved by keeping the law of Moses
The law cannot save us, for only Jesus could keep all the law. The law brings death because of sin. After salvation through faith in Jesus, we do good works and the fruit of God's Holy Spirit.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The new life is in Christ, we are to conform to his mind.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Here are basic Christian doctrines taken from the Christian Apologetics and reseach Ministry. CARM.org
There is only one God - Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9Aged men and womenGod is a Trinity - 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2
There are no Gods before or after God - Isaiah 43:10
God knows all things - 1 John 3:20
God is all powerful - Psalm 115:3
God is everywhere - Jer. 23:23,24
God is sovereign - Zech. 9:14; 1 Tim. 6:15-16
God is spirit - John 4:24
God created all that exists - Gen. 1:1; Isaiah 44:24
Spirit does not have a body of flesh and bones - Luke 24:39
God has always been God - Psalm 90:2
Jesus is God - John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8
Jesus became a man - Phil. 2:5-8
Jesus has two natures: divine and human - Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5
Jesus was sinless - 1 Pet. 2:22
Jesus is the only way to God the Father - John 14:6; Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22
The Holy Spirit is God - Acts 5:3-4
The Holy Spirit is not a force. He is alive - Acts 13:2
The Bible is inspired by God - 2 Tim. 3:16
All people have sinned - Rom. 3:23, 5:12
Man did not evolve, he was created - Gen. 1:26
Adam and Eve were real people - Gen. 3:20; 5:1; 1 Tim. 2:13
Death entered the world because of Adam's sin - Rom. 5:12-15
Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:2
Jesus died for all our sins - 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 2:24
Jesus' sacrifice was a substitution, for us - 1 Pet. 2:24
Jesus rose from the dead in His physical body - John 2:19-21
Those who reject Jesus will go to Hell - Rev. 20:11-15
Hell is a place of fiery punishment - Matt. 25:41; Rev. 19:20 Hell is eternal - Matt. 25:46
The unsaved go to hell forever - Rev. 21:8
Salvation is a free gift of God - Rom. 4:5; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9
The Bible is the Word of God - 2 Tim. 3:16
Jesus will return visibly to earth - Acts 1:11
Christians will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns - 1 Thess. 4:14-17
There will be a rapture (being caught up into the clouds with Jesus) - 1 Thess. 4:14-17
There will be a final judgment - 2 Pet. 3:7
The damned will be thrown into a lake of fire - Rev. 20:15
Satan will be cast into the lake of fire - Rev. 20:10
There will be a new heavens and a new earth - 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1
Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
After Paul spoke of the importance of sound doctrine in a church, he addresses the need of good examples of those who live by the faith. What better example then those who are elderly in the church, having lived their life as examples of God's grace having proved themselves and the faith by experience.
Aged men be sober, vigilant, watchful
1 Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
They are to watch out for doctrinal error and be guardians with the Pastor.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
They have experienced the ways of the devil and live in the way of faith and truth. They know the importance of staying in the word, in prayer and not to foresake the assembling together. The devil likes to pick off the weak and the stragglers.
Be grave, venerated for character, honourable
1 Tim 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
He lives the life before his family and the church and is respected.
1 Tim 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Temperate, having self control and discipline
1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The flesh is under control and it's lusts.
sound in faith,
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Not man pleasers, or having itching ears, but they serve God in Spirit and in truth.
in charity
A man of God is to be a loving man.
1 Cor 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Cor 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Cor 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Cor 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
In patience
A patient man walks in God's spirit and knows the word.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
The aged women likewise, good holy behavior living lives separated unto the Lord, Mary was a holy woman.
Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
1 Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1 Tim 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Not false accusers
Prov 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Phil 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
2 Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Tim 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Not given to much wine
Prov 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Isa 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Isa 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
teachers of good things
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phil 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
The older women are to teach the younger women these things:
To be sober, to be of a sound mind, free of alcohol or drugs, not fearful
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
to love their husbands, to love their children. Love for others...
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
A servants love of husband and children, not a manipulating love.
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home. Curbing desires and impulses, keeping herself pure, caring for the home, good hearted and obedient to their own husbands, why? that their example bring not blaspheme to the word of God. It is assumed that both are people of faith. God is a God of order, love and peace. These things should be found in a Christian home.
The church needs godly older men and women to teach and to show how a Christian is to live. They should not be separated from one another, for all will benefit from sharing. We need one another.
Good Behavior
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
As the older women were to teach the younger women godly Christian character. Also the young men need to be taught in like manner. The young men are to be in control of their emotions and behavior, not to be foolish and reckless but to take responsibility for their behavior.
Titus 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
2 Cor 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
2 Cor 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Titus, a young man showing a good pattern, the pattern of our Lord Jesus, in good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (NLT )
The apostle John also spoke to the young men.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
One of the greatest battles of young men and women are the lusts of the flesh and the ways of those who they are among in the world. The world follows a different god. We are to follow Jesus and the Father.
Titus 2:8 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.
Sound speech, good doctrine and good behavior, patterned after the Lord Jesus Christ. For those who he was to minister too have strayed from sound doctrine as have many today.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
In the church there were servants along side of masters. A servant may have been a teacher to the master in the church, but as a servant he was to serve well. There are no slaves, but anyone who works under a boss should respect him and do well by him. We do not smart mouth a boss or those in authority. I had a young Christian worker who often was rude to people of authority or high standing. This ought not to be.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Not purloining, not stealing material or time in labor from your master, but being entirely trustworthy and good. So that by your life you will honor God and His teachings in all things. A servant of the Lord should attempt to be excellent in all things, through God's grace. We serve an excellent Savior.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
His grace is for all men. Grace for salvation and grace for living.
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, (NLT)
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Gal 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2 Tim 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
1 Pet 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
1 Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Eaglewings Web sites
Titus 3
Titus 1 Table of Contents
Eaglewings New Testament Studies
Eaglewings Ministries
Eaglewings Journal