Titus 2 · Verse 12

Titus 2:12

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Titus 2:12, King James Version

Titus 2:12 in other translations

BSB	It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
WEB	instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;
ASV	instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;
YLT	teaching us, that denying the impiety and the worldly desires, soberly and righteously and piously we may live in the present age,
DARBY	teaching us that, having denied impiety and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and justly, and piously in the present course of things,
BBE	Training us so that, turning away from evil and the desires of this world, we may be living wisely and uprightly in the knowledge of God in this present life;
Webster	Teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and piously, in this present world;

What does Titus 2:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

12. Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (1Co 11:32; He 12:6, 7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is opposed to God (Tit 1:12, 16; 1Co 1:20; 3:18, 19): in the coming world we may gratify every desire without need of self-discipline, because all desires there will be conformable to the will of God. that--Greek, "in order that"; the end of the "disciplining" is "in order that ... we may live soberly," &c. This point is lost by the translation, "teaching us." denying ... lusts--(Lu 9:23). The Greek aorist expresses "denying once for all." We deny "worldly lusts" when we withhold our consent from them, when we refuse the delight which they suggest, and the act to which they solicit us, nay, tear them up by the roots out of our soul and mind [ST. Bernard, Sermon 11]. worldly lusts--The Greek article expresses, "the lusts of the world," "all worldly lusts" [Alford], (Ga 5:16; Ep 2:3; 1Jo 2:15-17; 5:19). The world (cosmos) will not come to an end when this present age (aeon) or course of things shall end. live soberly, righteously, and godly--the positive side of the Christian character; as "denying ... lusts" was the negative. "Soberly," that is, with self-restraint, in relation to one's self: "righteously" or justly, in relation to our neighbor; "godly" or piously, in relation to God (not merely amiably and justly, but something higher, godly, with love and reverence toward God). These three comprise our "disciplining" in faith and love, from which he passes to hope (Tit 2:13).

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 12. Teaching us. That is the "grace of God" so teaches us; or that system of religion which is a manifestation of the grace of God, inculcates the great and important duties which Paul proceeds to state.

That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. "That by denying ourselves of these, or refusing to practise them, we should lead a holy life." The word ungodliness, here means all that would be included under the word impiety; that is, all failure in the performance of our proper duties towards God. Rom 1:18. The phrase "worldly lusts," refers to all improper desires pertaining to this life--the desire of wealth, pleasure, honour, sensual indulgence. It refers to such passions as the men of this world are prone to, and would include all those things which cannot be indulged in with a proper reference to the world to come. The gross passions would be of course included, and all those more re- fined pleasures also which constitute the characteristic and peculiar enjoyments of those who do not live unto God.

We should live soberly. See the word soberly (σωφρονως) explained Tit 2:2, Tit 2:4. It means that we should exercise a due restraint on our passions and propensities.

Righteously. Justly. This refers to the proper performance of our duties to our fellowmen; and it means that religion teaches us to perform those duties with fidelity, according to all our relations in life; to all our promises and contracts; to our fellow-citizens and neighbours; to the poor, and needy, and ignorant, and oppressed; and to all those who are providentially placed in our way who need our kind offices.

Justice to them would lead us to act as we would wish that they would towards us.

And godly. Piously; that is, in the faithful performance of our duties to God. We have here, then, an epitome of all that religion requires:

(1.) Our duty to ourselves--included in the word "soberly," and requiring a suitable control over our evil propensities and passions;

(2.) our duty to our fellow-men in all the relations we sustain in life; and

(3.) our duty to God--evinced in what will be properly regarded as a pious life. He that does these things, meets all the responsibilities of his condition and relations; and the Christian system, requiring the faithful performance of these duties, shows how admirably it is adapted to man.

In this present world. That is, as long as we shall continue in it. These are the duties which we owe in the present life.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 12 Teaching us, that, denying, etc. - Παιδευουσα· Instructing us as children are instructed. Christ is the great teacher; and men, in order to learn, must become his disciples - must put themselves under his tuition, and learn of him. Denying ungodliness - Ασεβειαν· All things contrary to God; whatever would lead us to doubt his being, deny any of his essential attributes; his providence or government of the world, and his influence on the souls of men. Every thing, also, which is opposed to his true worship; theoretical and practical atheism, deism, and irreligion in general. Worldly lusts - Such desires, affections, and appetites, as men are governed by who have their portion in this life, and live without God in the world. Gluttony, drunkenness, lasciviousness, anger, malice, and revenge; together with the immoderate love of riches, power, and fame. We should live soberly - Having every temper, appetite, and desire, under the government of reason, and reason itself under the government of the Spirit of God. Righteously - Rendering to every man his due, injuring no person in his body, mind, reputation, or property; doing unto all as we would they should do to us; and filling up the duties of the particular stations in which it has pleased God to fix us, committing no sin, omitting no duty. And godly - Ευσεβως. Just the reverse of what is implied in ungodliness. See above. In this present world - Not supposing that any thing will be purified in the world to come that is not cleansed in this. The three words above evidently include our duty to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves. 1. We are to live soberly in respect to ourselves. 2. Righteously in respect to our neighbor. And 3. Godly, or piously, in respect to our Maker.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Titus 2:11-15

The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good. We must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. A gospel conversation must be a godly conversation. See our duty in a very few…

Read the full comment on Titus 2:11-15 →

Titus 2:12 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.

παιδεύουσαpaideuousainstructingG3811

ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165

ἵναinathatG2443

ἀρνησάμενοιarnēsamenoihaving deniedG720

τὴνtēn<the>G3588

ἀσέβειανasebeianungodlinessG763

καὶkaiandG2532

τὰςtas<the>G3588

κοσμικὰςkosmikasworldlyG2886

ἐπιθυμίαςepithumiaspassionsG1939

σωφρόνωςsōphronōsdiscreetlyG4996

καὶkaiandG2532

δικαίωςdikaiōsrighteouslyG1346

καὶkaiandG2532

εὐσεβῶςeusebōspiouslyG2153

ζήσωμενzēsōmenwe may liveG2198

ἐνeninG1722

τῷtōtheG3588

νῦνnunpresentG3568

αἰῶνιaiōniageG165

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

Cross references for Titus 2:12

Ezekiel 36:27
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Romans 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.
Psalms 4:3
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Ephesians 4:22-25
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
1 John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
2 Peter 1:4-8
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. …
Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Luke 1:75
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Teaching.
Mt 28:20; Joh 6:25; 1Th 4:9; Heb 8:11; 1Jo 2:27
denying.
Isa 55:6,7; Eze 18:30,31; 33:14,15; Mt 3:8-10; 16:24; Lu 1:75
Ro 6:4-6,12,19; 8:13; 13:12,13; 1Co 6:9-11; 2Co 7:1; Ga 5:24
Eph 1:4; 4:22-25; Col 1:22; 3:5-9; 1Th 4:7; Jas 4:8-10
1Pe 2:11,12; 4:2-5; 2Pe 1:4; 2:20-22; 1Jo 2:15-17; Jude 1:18
live.
Ps 105:45; Eze 36:27; Mt 5:19,20; Lu 1:6,75; 3:9-13; Ac 24:16,25
Ro 6:19; 1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 1:14-18; 2Pe 1:5-8; 3:11; 1Jo 2:6; Re 14:12
soberly.
4
godly.
Ps 4:3; 2Co 1:12; 2Pe 2:9
this.
Joh 14:30; 17:14,15; Ro 12:2; Ga 1:4; Eph 2:2; 2Ti 4:10; 1Jo 5:19

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

Context

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Read all of Titus 2

Titus 2:12 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Enseñándonos que, renunciando á la impiedad y á los deseos mundanos, vivamos en este siglo templada, y justa, y píamente,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	nous enseignant que, reniant l’impiété et les convoitises mondaines, nous vivions dans le présent siècle sobrement, et justement, et pieusement,
German Elberfelder 1871	und unterweist uns, auf daß wir, die Gottlosigkeit und die weltlichen Lüste verleugnend, besonnen und gerecht und gottselig leben in dem jetzigen Zeitlauf,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	erudiens nos, ut abnegantes impietatem, et sæcularia desideria, sobrie, et juste, et pie vivamus in hoc sæculo,