RSV ~ Titus 2 Notes

Tit 2:1-10 | ISB Notes

Titus must counsel believers in accordance with their age (young/old), gender (men/women), and station in life (slave/free). Faith and life are meant to form a unity, and so the behavior Paul expects of them is part of “sound doctrine” (2:1). In effect, Paul wants the Cretan believers to rise above the dishonorable reputation that plagues their country (1:12), lest the gospel be discredited before unbelievers (2:5).

Tit 2:1 | ISB Notes

But as for you: The Greek is emphatic, drawing a sharp contrast between Titus, whose mission is to propagate true doctrine, and the Jewish teachers, whose destructive ideas were denounced in the preceding context (1:10-16).

Tit 2:7 | ISB Notes

model of good deeds: Titus’ own life must be consistent with his preaching, otherwise opponents will make his personal defects a cause for public disgrace (2:8).

Tit 2:9 | ISB Notes

slaves: Slavery was an accepted institution in Roman society. Paul did not attack it directly in his letters, but he sought to improve the relationship between masters and slaves and stressed that both stand on an equal footing in Christ (Gal 3:28; Col 3:22-4:1). Here he implies that the dependability of slaves will help to advertise the gospel to the world. See note on Eph 6:5.

Tit 2:11-14 | ISB Notes

This paragraph spells out the basis of Paul’s ethical instructions in the previous ten verses. Emphasis is placed on the purpose of grace, not only to cleanse us of unrighteousness (2:14), but to raise us up to a higher standard of moral living (2:12).

Tit 2:11 | ISB Notes

the salvation of all: The grace of Christ invites every person and nation into the covenant family of God. See note on 1 Tim 2:4.

Tit 2:13 | ISB Notes

our blessed hope: The return of Jesus in glory, which Paul often describes as the “appearing” of Christ from heaven (2 Thess 2:8; 1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 4:1, 8; CCC 1130, 1404).

our great God and Savior Jesus: The syntax of this statement in Greek indicates that Paul is asserting the divinity of Jesus (Jn 10:33-38; Col 2:9; 2 Pet 1:1). Less likely translations make a distinction between God and Christ in this verse (see textual note c).

Tit 2:14 | ISB Notes

to redeem us: i.e., to purchase us from the bondage of sin and to purify us for a life of divine sonship. See note on Eph 1:7.

people of his own: The expression is taken from the Greek OT.

• Both Ex 19:5 and Deut 7:6 use these words to describe Israel as Yahweh’s special possession by covenant. The nation was set apart as a holy and priestly people called to draw other nations closer to God (Deut 4:6-8; Is 49:6). But since the persistence of sin and weakness prevented Israel from fulfilling this vocation under the Old Covenant, Christ came to reconstitute his covenant people in the Church (1 Pet 2:9) and to empower them to fulfill the mission once given to Israel (Mt 5:14-16). Paul’s words are also reminiscent of the New Covenant oracles of Ezekiel, especially Ezek 37:23.

Tit 2:15 | ISB Notes

exhort and reprove: This is the third time Paul challenges Titus to make an aggressive stand against the false teachers who plague the Cretan communities (1:11, 13).