Titus 2:1
in Titus 2But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:
KJV
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
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This verse in Titus 2
Commentary
9 notes on this verseBut you speak what befits sound doctrine. The speaking of sound doctrine is one thing, the teaching of those things that are fitting for sound doctrine is another; in the one there is only the simplicity of instruction, while in the other there is also the correction of life in those who teach. For whoever shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19).
This site's exposition
But speak thou
on Titus 2:1-2
Against the Cretan deceivers of chapter 1 stands one command, speak thou the things which become sound doctrine, hugiainouse, the Pastorals' figure of teaching that is healthy against teaching that is diseased. The curriculum begins with the aged men: sober, grave, temperate, and then sound in the three graces themselves, in faith, in charity, in patience. Doctrine in this letter always lands in character; the chapter is a household roster of what health looks like at each age.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
But you speak what accords with sound doctrine. But you speak what accords with sound doctrine. But although these men are such, Paul said, you should nevertheless not become any less diligent, but do what is your duty and teach, even if no one obeys. …
ii. 1. "But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine." This then is uncleanness. They are themselves unclean. But be not thou silent on that account. Do thy part, although they may not receive thee. Advise and counsel them, though they may not be persuaded. Here he censures them more severely. For they who are mad imagine that nothing stands still, yet this arises not from the objects that are seen, but from the eyes that see. Because they are unsteady and giddy, they think that the earth turns round with them, which yet turns not, but stands firm. The derangement is of their own state, not from any affection of the element. So it is here, when the soul is unclean, it thinks all things unclean. Therefore scrupulous observances are no mark of purity, but it is the part of purity to be bold in all things. For he that is pure by nature ventures upon all things, they that are defiled, upon nothing. This we may say against Marcion. Seest thou that it is a mark of purity to be superior to all defilement, to touch nothing implies impurity. This holds even with respect to God. That He assumed flesh is a proof of purity; if through fear He had not taken it, there would have been defilement. He who eats not things that seem unclean, is himself unclean and weak, he who eats, is neither. Let us not call such pure, they are the unclean. He is pure, who dares to feed upon all things. All this caution we ought to exercise towards the things that defile the soul. For that is uncleanness, that is defilement. None of these things is so. Those who have a vitiated palate think what is set before them is unclean, but this is the effect of their disorder. It becomes us therefore to understand the nature of things pure, and things unclean.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Above, the Apostle instructed Titus what sort of ministers to appoint to hinder heretics; here he teaches him what to do: first, he proposes a general plan; second, he breaks it down to its details, at that the aged men. He says, therefore: so far …
You should do your work even if they are unbelieving and dishonorable people: do not be silent, even if they do not accept the teaching.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. Concerning sound doctrine, and the form of it; see Gill on 2Ti 1:
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
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 preaching. “The things which become sound doctrine.” To wit, those which he proceeds immediately to specify. On the phrase sound doctrine, see the notes at 1Ti 1:10; compare 2Ti 4:3.
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.
The words behind it
8 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Σὺ | su | You yourself | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| δὲ | de | however | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| λάλει | lalei | do speak | G2980 → | |
| ἃ | ha | [the things] that | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| πρέπει | prepei | are consistent with | G4241 → | |
| τῇ | tea | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὑγιαινούσῃ | hugiainouse | sound | G5198 → | 12 times |
| διδασκαλίᾳ.¶ | didaskalia | doctrine. | G1319 → | 21 times |
ΣὺYou yourself
suG4771 →2973 times
δὲhowever
deG1161 →2765 times
λάλειdo speak
laleiG2980 →
ἃ[the things] that
haG3739 →1405 times
πρέπειare consistent with
prepeiG4241 →
τῇ<the>
teaG3588 →19766 times
ὑγιαινούσῃsound
hugiainouseG5198 →12 times
διδασκαλίᾳ.¶doctrine.
didaskaliaG1319 →21 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
2 Timothy 1:13Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
it leads to
- Titus 1:9
He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- 2 Timothy 3:14
But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.
- Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
- Titus 1:9
Through
1 Timothy 1:10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching
it leads to
- 2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual…
- Leviticus 18:22
You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.
- 2 Timothy 4:3
Through
Titus 1:9He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
it leads to
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.
- 1 Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies5
About Titus
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jerome, Commentary on Titus; John Chrysostom, Homily on Titus 3; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON TITUS; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Titus and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Titus.