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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Tit_2:6-8
6Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Tit_2:6
NASB "sensible"
NKJV "sober-minded"
NRSV, TEV "self-controlled"
NJB "moderate"
The younger men are given only one guideline ("be sensible," cf. Tit_2:2; Tit_2:4-5). It is the only imperative in Tit_2:2-6. See the full note on this common Greek term at 1Ti_3:1. It characterized many of the Greek philosophers' basic guide to life (i.e., "the golden mean").
Tit_2:7 "in all things" It is grammatically uncertain whether the "in all things" of Tit_2:7 relates to this verse and is thereby another guideline for young men, or is related to the emphatic "yourself" of Tit_2:7, which would refer to Titus.
▣ "show yourself to be an example" This is a present middle participle used as an imperative (cf. 1Ti_4:12).
For "example" (tupos) see Special Topic: Form at 1Ti_4:12.
▣ "of good deeds" This is a recurrent emphasis (cf. Tit_1:16; Tit_2:7; Tit_2:14; Tit_3:1; Tit_3:8; Tit_3:14). Lifestyle change was the evidence of and an attraction to the Christian message.
NASB "with purity in doctrine"
NKJV "in doctrine showing integrity"
NRSV "in your teaching show integrity"
TEV "be sincere. . .in your teaching"
NJB "by sincerity. . .when you are teaching"
This seems to describe the way Titus is to teach (in contrast to the false teachers' impure lives and motives), not only the content of his preaching and teaching. Titus was to pass on the Apostolic truths he had received from Paul. If it does refer to content, then possibly it is an emphasis on the resurrection (cf. Rom_2:7; 1Co_15:42; 1Co_15:53-54).
There are several Greek manuscript problems related to this phrase. In A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament Bruce M. Metzger says the term aphthorian (incorruption)
1. has the good manuscript support (i.e., à *, A, C, D*)
2. fits the context
3. explains the other variants
4. is the most unusual of the options
The most common option (i.e., à c, Dc, L, and most later minuscule manuscripts) is adiaphthorian (sincerity) (p. 654).
Tit_2:8 "sound in speech" This is the same recurrent term used in Tit_2:1-2 which meant "healthy" (metaphorically in contrast to the unhealthy message of the false teachers).
NASB "dignified"
NKJV "reverence"
NRSV "gravity"
TEV "serious"
NJB "earnestness"
See full note at Tit_2:2.
▣ "which is beyond reproach" This is a guideline for both Christian leaders and believers in general (cf. Tit_1:6-8; Tit_1:10; 1Ti_3:2; 1Ti_3:7; 1Ti_3:10; 1Ti_5:8; 1Ti_5:14; 1Ti_6:1). See Special Topic at 1Ti_3:2.
▣ "the opponent" In context this could refer to (1) the false teachers of Tit_1:10-16 or (2) the unbelievers of society who criticized Christianity out of pagan ignorance. Believers' lives should silence both groups and attract them to the gospel.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT Tit_2:9-10
9Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
Tit_2:9 "Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters" "To be subject" is a present middle infinitive (cf. Eph_6:5-9; Col_3:22-24 : 1Ti_6:1-2). The verb "urge" is implied from Tit_2:6. Like women, slaves are urged to have a godly attitude toward cultural authority structures for Christ's sake. The issue is not personal freedom, but evangelism! See Special Topic: Paul's Admonitions to Slaves at 1Ti_6:1.
▣ "in everything" This phrase is repeated at the end of Tit_2:10. It is significant that believers realize that their lives, in all areas, reflect on God. This concept is theologically parallel to mutual submission found in Eph_5:21 and the submission of godly wives in Titus 5:22-6:9 (cf. H. E. Butt's The Velvet Covered Brick).
▣ "to be well-pleasing" The unstated, but implied, meaning is not only to the slave owners, but supremely to God (cf. Rom_12:1-2; Eph_6:7-8).
NASB "not argumentative"
NKJV "not answering back"
NRSV, TEV "not to talk back"
NJB "without argument"
How believers handle even difficult situations and conditions is a clear, strong witness of their faith in Christ (cf. Eph_6:5-9).
Tit_2:10 "not pilfering" This must have been a common problem for slaves (cf. Eph_4:28).
▣ "showing" This term meant to give outward and clear proof of something. Believing salves' lives must bring glory to God and evidence of the life-changing power of the gospel! One's social status was not the critical issue, but one's lifestyle was!
▣ "God our Savior" This was a common title used by and for Caesar. This is a characteristic phrase of the Pastorals Letters for deity (cf. Tit_1:3 to Tit_2:10; Tit_3:4). The same title is also repeatedly used of Jesus (cf. Tit_1:4; Tit_2:13; Tit_3:6). See full note at 2Ti_1:10.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Tit_2:11-14
A. This brief passage (Tit_2:11-14) gives the theological reasons for Christians living godly lives. This discussion is very similar to Tit_3:4-7 and 2Ti_1:8-10.
B. Tit_2:11 refers to the first coming of the Messiah, the Incarnation (cf. Tit_3:4; 2Ti_1:10). Tit_2:13, uses the same term, "appearing," to refer to the Second Coming of Christ (cf. 1Ti_6:14; 2Ti_4:1; 2Ti_4:8). The first coming was characterized by God's grace; the second will be characterized by God's justice!
C. Tit_2:12 is a summary of the godly characteristics required of leaders in chapter Tit_1:5-9 and all Christians in chapter Tit_2:1-10.
D. Tit_2:13 sets the gospel in the characteristically Pauline category of "the already" (the Kingdom of God is present) and "the not yet" (the Kingdom of God is future). This tension is true of much of Paul's discussion about the Christian life.
E. Is Jesus alone being referred to in Tit_2:13 (cf. NASB, RSV, NEB, NIV) or is it a double reference to God the Father and to Jesus the Son (cf. KJV, ASV, Moffatt translation and 2Pe_1:1)? There are several reasons why this seems to be a reference to Jesus' deity, clothed in titles used for the Roman Caesar:
1. only one article with both nouns
2. Tit_2:14 relates only to Christ
3. the terms "great" and "appearing" are never used in the NT to refer to God the Father
4. there are several other passages in Paul and other NT authors where full deity is attributed to Jesus
5. the majority of the early church fathers also saw it as referring to Jesus. It should be noted, however, that the early versions tended to see the phrase as referring to YHWH and Jesus.
F. Tit_2:14 describes the Church in OT terms used of Israel. In some senses the Church is the fruition of God's desire for Israel (cf. Rom_2:28-29; Gal_6:16; 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9; Rev_1:6).. Yet Israel remains an object of God's unique love and care (cf. Romans 11).