Titus 2 · Verse 1

Titus 2:1

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Titus 2:1, King James Version

Titus 2:1 in other translations

BSB	But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.
WEB	But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
ASV	But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:
YLT	And thou--be speaking what doth become the sound teaching;
DARBY	But do thou speak the things that become sound teaching;
BBE	But let your words be in agreement with true and right teaching:
Webster	But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

What does Titus 2:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Tit 2:1-15. Directions to Titus: How to Exhort Various Classes of Believers: The Grace of God in Christ Our Grand Incentive to Live Godly.

1. But ... thou--in contrast to the reprobate seducers stigmatized in Tit 1:11, 15, 16. "He deals more in exhortations, because those intent on useless questions needed chiefly to be recalled to the study of a holy, moral life; for nothing so effectually allays men's wandering curiosity, as the being brought to recognize those duties in which they ought to exercise themselves" [Calvin]. speak--without restraint: contrast Tit 1:11, "mouths ... stopped." doctrine--"instruction" or "teaching."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Titus CHAPTER 2

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.

IN the previous chapter, the apostle had directed Titus what to do in the organization of churches in the various cities of Crete, and had put him on his guard in doing it, by showing the character of the people he had to deal with. In this chapter, he gives him various instructions as to his own method of teaching, showing what kind of doctrines he should inculcate, and what kind of instructions he should give to the various classes of his hearers. He was, in general, to speak only such things as became sound doctrine, Tit 2:1. In particular, he was to instruct aged men to be sober, grave, and temperate--acting in a manner that became their time of life, Tit 2:2; the aged women to be a proper example to the younger females, and to exercise a proper care over them, Tit 2:3-5; the young men to be sober-minded, Tit 2:6; Titus himself, who evidently came under the class of young men, was to be an example to them in all things, Tit 2:7,8; and servants were to be instructed to perform their duty to their masters with fidelity, Tit 2:9,10. The duty of giving these instructions is then enforced by a reference to the nature and design of the gospel, Tit 2:11-15. That grace which brings salvation has appeared to all mankind, and its design is to make all holy who embrace it, and to teach all to live for a higher and a better world.

Verse 1. But speak thou. In thine own ministry. In the previous chapter he had given him instructions as to the kind of persons who were to be put into the sacred office. Here he gives him special instructions in regard to his own breaching.

The things which become sound doctrine. To wit, those which he proceeds immediately to specify. On the phrase sound doctrine, 1Timm 1:10, comp. 2Ti 4:3.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

Sundry directions to aged men, Tit 2:1, Tit 2:2. To aged women, Tit 2:3. To young women, Tit 2:4, Tit 2:5. To young men, Tit 2:6. Directions to Titus, relative to his own conduct, Tit 2:7, Tit 2:8. Directions to servants, Tit 2:9, Tit 2:10. What the Gospel of the grace of God teaches all men, Tit 2:11, Tit 2:12. The glorious prospect held out by it; salvation from all sin, and final glory, Tit 2:13-15. Verse 1 But speak thou the things - This is a conclusion drawn from the preceding chapter: 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Titus 2:1-8

Old disciples of Christ must behave in every thing agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake. Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful; therefore need to be on their guard. Though there is not express Scripture for every word, or look, yet there are general rules, according to which all must be ordered. Young women must be sober and discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal temptations by what at first might be only want of discretion. The reason is added, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin. Every godly man's endeavour must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of!

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Titus 2:1 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΣὺSuYou yourselfG4771

δὲdehoweverG1161

λάλειlaleido speakG2980

ἃha[the things] thatG3739

πρέπειprepeiare consistent withG4241

τῇtēa<the>G3588

ὑγιαινούσῃhugiainousēsoundG5198

διδασκαλίᾳ.¶didaskaliadoctrine.G1319

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Titus 2:1

2 Timothy 1:13
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
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.
1 Timothy 1:10
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life.
10 Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians.

11-14; 1:9; 3:8; 1Ti 1:10; 6:3; 2Ti 1:13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Titus 2:2
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Read all of Titus 2

Titus 2:1 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	EMPERO tú, habla lo que conviene á la sana doctrina:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais toi, annonce les choses qui conviennent au sain enseignement:
German Elberfelder 1871	Du aber rede, was der gesunden Lehre geziemt:
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Tu autem loquere quæ decent sanam doctrinam: