Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Titus 2:1 - 2:3
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Tit_2:1-3
1But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
Tit_2:1 "But as for you" The singular pronoun "you" is emphatic. This shows the vast difference between the false teachers and Titus, a true leader/teacher (cf. 1Ti_6:11; 2Ti_3:1; 2Ti_3:14).
▣ "speak" This is a present active imperative (cf. 1Ti_4:13; 2Ti_4:2). The gospel and its implications must be articulated.
▣ "the things which are fitting for sound doctrine" Sound teaching (healthy teaching) is a recurrent theme (cf. Tit_1:9; Tit_1:13; Tit_2:1-2; Tit_2:8; 1Ti_1:10; 2Ti_1:13; 2Ti_4:3). Notice that in this context the healthy teaching is not doctrinal, but practical lifestyle, people-centered Christlikeness. We must not separate justification from sanctification!
Tit_2:2 "Older men" This is the same word translated "elders" in Tit_1:5 and 1Ti_5:1; 1Ti_5:17, but this context demands a different translation (cf. Phm_1:9). In this culture it would refer to men over 60. See hyperlink at 1Ti_5:1.
NASB, NRSV "to be temperate"
NKJV, TEV "sober"
NJB "reserved"
This is literally "be sober," which could refer to intoxication (cf. Tit_1:6-7). The term was also used metaphorically of mental alertness or vigilance (cf. 1Ti_3:2; 1Ti_3:11).
▣ "sensible" This term is used in Tit_2:2; Tit_2:4-6; Tit_2:12. See note on "prudent" at 1Ti_3:2.
NASB, NJB "reverent"
NKJV "serious"
NRSV "sensible"
TEV "dignified"
This term is used several times in the Pastoral Letters (cf. Tit_2:2; Tit_2:7; 1Ti_2:2; 1Ti_3:4; 1Ti_3:8; 1Ti_3:11; and a form of the term in 2Ti_2:2; 2Ti_3:4). According to the lexicon by Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, and Danker, it can be translated "reverence, dignity, seriousness, respectfulness, holiness, or probity" (cf. p. 47).
This term is related to the Latin "Augustus" (cf. Act_25:21; Act_25:25; Act_27:11). It referred to the veneration or worship of someone, the Emperor, and came to describe how one should act or feel in his presence.
▣ "sound" This is the recurrent metaphorical use of the term from Tit_2:1, "healthy." Christians are to be healthy and stable in their faith, in their love, and in their perseverance (cf. 1Ti_6:11; 2Ti_3:10), as well as in their doctrine. For Paul, believing and living were inseparable — just the opposite of the false teachers.
▣ "perseverance" See Special Topic at 1Ti_4:16 and in a different form in 2Ti_2:11.