The Bible Teacher's Commentary
Titus Outline | Titus Map | Titus Commentary (see below)
Intro to Titus | Titus 1:1-4 | Titus 1:5-9 | Titus 2:1-2 | Titus 3:9-15
“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance” (Titus 2:1-2).
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” (Titus 2:1, 2, NIV.)
“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).
1. The NASB (New American Standard Bible) follows the Greek original by emphasizing the ‘but’ at the beginning of Titus 2:1. The word emphasizes a contrast from what was formerly stated. Look at the end of Titus 1 and mention at least 4 things that was not to be true of the godly man.
2. What is Titus exhorted to do in Titus 2:1?
3. What is included in the phrase ‘sound doctrine?’
4. Why does Paul tell Titus to do this? Do you think he has been holding back from speaking out to older men than he?
5. How should we speak to those who are older than ourselves?
6. It is apparent that some people, particularly older men, are not believing the right things. List some teachings that Christians might hold to but are not ‘sound doctrine.’
7. Have you ever discovered a teaching that you yourselves held to but was not sound? Please share. How have you handled it? How should you handle it?
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“Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance” (Titus 2:2).
We have six items outlined for men to judge themselves by. We will not discover their real value until we also observe what it means when a man does not have these qualities. But these should be set before every man and boy. This is where God wants to take us. We will go through each one.
8. Who is Paul speaking about in Titus 2:2? Who does this refer to?
9. We should note the word elders (1:5) and elderly (2:2) are a bit different in the original language. However, elders, the rulers of the church, are chiefly characterized by age, that is, being elderly. Why is this so? Is it good? What problems are there with doing this?
10.Are only the elders (rulers) of the church to have good character? How do we know?
11.All Christian men are to live godly lives. List the six characteristics that older Christian men ought to have as found here in Titus 2:2.
12.What does ‘temperate’ mean? Use your own words to describe the sense of this word. Why does Paul highlight this term (Perhaps it highlights a certain need)?
13.What does ‘dignified’ mean? Use your own words to describe the sense of this word.
Why does Paul highlight this term (Perhaps it highlights a certain need)?
14.What does ‘sensible’ mean? Use your own words to describe the sense of this word.
Why does Paul highlight this term (Perhaps it highlights a certain need)?
15.What does ‘sound in faith’ mean? Use your own words to describe the sense of this word. Why does Paul highlight this term (Perhaps it highlights a certain need)?
16.What does ‘love’ mean? Use your own words to describe the sense of this word.
Why does Paul highlight this term (Perhaps it highlights a certain need)?
17.What does ‘perseverance’ mean? Use your own words to describe the sense of this word. Why does Paul highlight this term (Perhaps it highlights a certain need)?
18.How are we to train up our sons to be qualified for eldership? When should we start?
19.How do we train these godly characteristics into our children? Choose one from the list in Titus 2:2 and share how you as a parent or parent-to-be could develop that quality in your child.
20.Young men often do not think about preparing themselves for the Lord. If you are a man, pick out at least one item that you want to develop in. State at least one thing you will do to grow in that particular area.
