1 “BUT speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine; 2 that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience; that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed; the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded, in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sound speech, that can not be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us. Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; 10 not gainsaying, not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing 12 salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the 14 blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works. 15 “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
NOTE.—This is designed as a temperance lesson, and is thrown in among our lessons on the life and work of Christ because Sunday, November 25, has been designated as a “world’s temperance Sunday.” The Christian teacher should impress upon his pupils that temperance is an affair of the heart and life, and not a matter of days. He will teach temperance by both precept and example at all times. It is one of the essential characteristics of Christian character, and not a thing to be put on for stated occasions.
Golden Text: “We should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:12.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What is Paul’s advice to Titus? V. 1. Note 1. (2) What instruction was Titus to give to the aged men? V. 2. (3) What were the aged women to do? What were they to refrain from doing? In what active work for Christ should they engage? V. 3. (4) What were the older women to teach the younger women? What was the purpose of this good conduct? Vs. 4, 5. (5) What exhortation was to be given to the younger men? V. 6. (6) What was Titus himself to be in their midst? What must be shown in his presentation of the true doctrine? V. 7. (7) What was to be the nature of his speech? What would be the effect of this kind of speech and doctrine upon those who opposed? V. 8. (8) What advice was Titus to give to servants? V. 9. (9) From what were they to abstain? Instead of purloining, what characteristic should they show? In doing this, what would they be doing for the doctrine they professed? V. 10. Note 2. (10) What had God revealed to all to enable them to live above such wicked acts? What does grace bring? V. 11. (11) What work does the grace of God do for us? What does it teach us that we should do? V. 12. Note 3. (12) While laboring for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, for what will the Christian be looking? V. 13. (13) What was the Lord’s purpose in giving Himself for us? What will be the characteristic of that people? V. 14. (14) In what manner is the minister of Christ to speak these things to the people? V. 15.
NOTES.
1. Speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine.—Paul’s advice to Titus in connection with his work among the inhabitants of Crete is recorded because it is fitting advice for every minister of Christ, in all ages. We learn from the first chapter of Titus that the wickedness of the Cretans had become a byword. Falsehood and immorality were among their chief characteristics. In the present condition of the world, when wickedness is multiplying on every hand, the teaching of that which befits sound doctrine is of pre-eminent importance.
2. Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity.—This instruction shows that the habit, on the part of servants, of purloining, embezzling, stealing from their employers, was no uncommon thing. But the servant of Christ must show an uncorruptible fidelity in all things intrusted to him. If such instruction was necessary then, it is certainly necessary now, and very applicable. Accounts of embezzlements, filchings of that which has been intrusted to servants, both public and private, are appearing constantly in the daily press. The servant who would adorn the doctrine he professes will abstain from all such things.
3. Teaching us, to the intent that.—In God’s grace is the revelation of Himself. It is through the grace of God that all the teachings of His Word are recorded for our admonition; and the grace of God itself is a teacher. His long-suffering toward us teaches us that He is not willing any of us should perish; and in order that we may not perish, it points out the by-paths into which we must not go.
