Titus 2:11-15

THE MOTIVES FOR CONDUCT Titus 2:11-15

Text 2:11-15

11 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 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.

Thought Questions 2:11-15

98.

The word for in Titus 2:11 connects this new section with the one just concluded. Show how.

99.

Discuss the meaning of the expression the grace of God.

100.

When and where did the grace of God appear?

101.

How shall we understand the phrase bringing salvation to all menall men are not saved. How is this true?

102.

Please think carefully and personally as to just how the grace of God becomes a great teacher or instructor. Express the truth in your own words.

103.

Read Romans 1:18-32 for a definition of ungodliness and worldly lusts. Is it enough to just deny these things? Explain.

104.

Show the distinction in the words: soberly - righteously godly.

105.

How are Paul's words applicable to us in-as-much as our word or age is somewhat different than his?

106.

What is our blessed hope? In what way is this hope blessed?

107.

How is the word glory used in Titus 2:13?

108.

Does the text here say that Jesus is our Saviour and great God? Discuss,

109.

In what sense did Jesus give Himself for us?

110.

Since Christ redeemed us from our iniquity, does this excuse our continued sinning?

111.

When, where and how does Jesus purify a people?

112.

If certain people are not zealous of good works, does it follow that such persons do not belong to Christ?

113.

How much of chapter two is included in the 15th verse?

Paraphrase 2:11-15

11 These things I command, because the gospel of God, which bringeth both the knowledge and the means of salvation, hath shone forth to all men, to Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, masters and slaves, without distinction, 12 teaching us, that renouncing ungodliness, especially atheism and idolatry, and putting away worldly lusts, we should live temperately, righteously, and godly in this present world, 13 expecting not any temporal rewards, such as the law promised, but the accomplishment of the blessed hope of the appearing of the glory of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who will bestow eternal life on all who deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; 14 who, during his first appearing on earth, gave himself to death for us, that he might redeem us from the power, as well as from the punishment, of all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, not by circumcision and other ceremonial observances, but by being zealous of good works. 15 These things inculcate as necessary to be believed, and exhort all who profess the gospel to live suitably to them. And such as teach otherwise, confute with all the authority which is due to truth, and to thee as a teacher commissioned by Christ. Let no one have reason to despise thee.

Comment 2:11-15

Titus 2:11. The well-springs of action are here discussed. Paul has instructed Titus to speak to five groups of Christians about some very important and difficult matters. He is here to discuss the motives for translating into life such admonitions.

The grace of God is a great instructor. What is the grace of God? It is the unearned, unmerited favor God has toward sinful man. We are constrained to exclaim with Paul elsewhere: surely the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

The love of God for the lost world, was made flesh in the person of His own Son. God's grace appeared in Christ from His birth to His ascension; and even more, in the establishment of His church on Pentecost.
In what way did the grace of God bring salvation to all men? Or should we ask: In what manner did the grace of God appear to all men to bring Salvation? We much prefer the first translation, which states that the grace of God in the person of His Son came to provide salvation for all men. We cannot see how it has been true, or is now true, that all men have heard of the grace of God in Christ. We are sure God intended that all men should hear of His love in the person of His Son, but for 1900 years we have failed to fulfill this intention.

God intended, and does now intend, that none should perish, but all come to salvation and a knowledge of the truth. (2 Peter 3:9) (1 Timothy 2:1)

Titus 2:12. The grace of God is a wonderful pedagogue. The word is stronger and broader than the term teacherit quite literally means to train a child, to bring up a child. Instruction is a part of child training, and God's love toward us has provided such instruction in His word. But such training includes far more than mere instruction or information. He scourgeth every Son whom He receiveth. The loving concern of God provides discipline as well as instruction. In what way will God our Father lead us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts? There are so many ways best known to Him, but all of them have their basis in a knowledge of His will. It is one thing to know that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, it is quite another thing to have the desire to do so. But the grace of God will see to it that each child of His will have reasons to decide in favor of doing so. The fruitless, frustrating experience of indulging in ungodliness and worldly lusts could be a strong reason for denying them. A clear and full view of the punishment of the ungodly and lustful, would also turn us to the side of righteousness. This is a school from which we never graduate. The loving concern of our Father continues while life shall last.

Now appears the positive side of the instructive power of grace. We are not only to be repulsed by sin, but we are to learn to love righteousness. Three qualities are here discussed: (1) Soberly or sensibly, Five times this word is used in this short letter: (Cf Titus 1:8, Titus 2:2; Titus 2:4-6). Refer to these other instances for a more detailed explanation (2) Righteously. In our relationship to our fellow man, we must live a life above reproach. May our lives be a translation of the virtues we espouse. (3) Godly. The thought here is to include God in all your plans. God too often becomes the third man out, with the average church member. It is too easy to leave God at home or at church. The Christian who allows God's grace to instruct him aright, will be ever conscious of the Omnipresent God.

Please remember Titus was on the wild wicked isle of Crete when he received such instructions. Paul expected the Cretans to live out in their daily associations the implications of this instruction. In the present course of things let the grace of God so teach us. Surely if the Cretans were expected to do this, we have little excuse for less.

Titus 2:13. The motives for holy livingwhat are they? The unearned concern of God is one motivethis we have discussed. In Titus 2:13 we are introduced to another motive: the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. We know that one day all our aspirations of triumph over sin, Satan and the grave will find fulfillment.

The second coming of Christ will vindicate all our efforts to live for Him. It will also be a vindication of His own claims. It is a blessed hope to us. It shall be a glorious appearing for Him. He appeared once for sin. He shall appear the second time apart from sin for those who wait (hope) for Him. D. Edmond Hiebert has asked very pertinently, When He thus returns -in glory,-' whose glory is it? Is Paul referring to one person or to two persons? There is a great deal of divided opinion over this question. We prefer to believe this is a reference to the deity of Jesus. However, the term could be applied to either God or Jesus with almost equal reason, as will be noted from the alternate reading given in the American Standard version. Reference to Christ as God can be found in other Scriptures: Cf. John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1. We do suggest that you read one of the many discussions on this interesting point.

On that day when He comes He will come as our Saviour. On that day we shall be delivered from all that thwarts and hinders the full expression of His rule among men.

Titus 2:14. Yet another motive for holiness is seen in recognizing the purpose of God and Christ in the redemption of the cross. Why did Christ die? To redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works.

Our blessed Lord voluntarily gave Himself for us. No man took His lifeHe freely laid it down as payment for the guilt of our sin, In a grand sense, Jesus gave Himself to us, all during His earthly life, But in a unique sense, He gave Himself at Calvary for us, If the thought of substitution is not in this expression, then it is meaningless.
We were taken captive unto the will of Satansuch captivity must be broken. It was broken by payment of the redemption price. He has redeemed usbut to what intent? There is both a negative and a positive answer to this question. (1) That He might redeem us from all iniquitythat He might purify unto Himself a people for His own possession,
If we do not turn from iniquity or lawlessness, what shall we say of the purpose of redemption? We must say that in our understanding of the death of Christ for us, we have missed the point. Christ did NOT come to save us in our sins but from them, How can we continue in sin while beholding what it cost God and His son? Our acceptance of Christ's redemption is fatally faulty, if it fails to include a turning from all our iniquity.

We were not only guilty, but dirty. We are also delivered and purified. We immediately think of the sanctifying services of the Old Covenant. The purifying of the priests was but a shadow, of which we are the substance. We are cleansed from the inside, by our acceptance of God's Lamb, and His Sacrifice for us. This is true if we understand the power of the cross in our hearts, and meet the requirements of cleansing as stated in His Word. Cf. Romans 6:1-6 for a discussion of where and when we meet the death of Christ for the inward cleansing.

The King James version uses the expression peculiar people where the American Standard has a people for his own possession. The thought of the word is in reference to something that belongs in a special sense to oneself. The word particular is better understood by us today, instead of peculiar. We belong to Christ in a particular sense; we are His very own.
(2) Christ redeemed us to the intent that we should be zealous of good works. This is the positive aspect of redemption. Once again we must say, that if we are not eager and urgent in our living the Christian life and communicating the good news to others, we have not a clear view of the purpose of Calvary.

Titus 2:15. This is a fitting conclusion to the chapter, We refer the expression these things to the instructions and admonitions of chapter two. But we could as well include chapter one, or even allow this to stand at the head of chapter three, as applying to it.

Someone has said, the words here given to Titus outline the preaching and teaching ministry of the evangelist: speak: talk would be a good synonym, In ordinary conversation with the persons mentioned, do not hesitate to discuss these important matters. Let others discuss the weather and relatives, but do not forget to talk about these more important subjects discussed in this letter.

exhort: Some will need help in applying the truth to life. This is your place in God's program. It is always easier to see the implications of the truth, when pointed out by someone else. We are reluctant to apply it by ourselves to ourselves.

reprove: Others will need chastening. The man of God has the holy responsibility of indicating short-comings in reference to God's laws for living. He must remind the Christian that God has punishment for violators.

Titus is to do this with all authority. He is to be aware that God speaks through him. This letter will confirm the importance and source of what he says.

Let no man despise thee. The word despise means to think around.

Among the older men, older women, younger men, or the slaves, there will be those who seem to continue in their error in spite of your words. Do not ignore this attitude! Be sure each one faces squarely and personally the will of God for his life. Stand boldly in the pathway of those in need.

Fact Questions 2:11-15

60.

Give the central thought of Titus 2:11-15.

61.

When and where was the grace of God manifested?

62.

In what way did the grace of God bring salvation to all men?

63.

The grace of God is a great pedagogue. Explain.

64.

How do we learn from the grace of God to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts?

65.

Explain the meaning of the three words: soberly, righteously and godly, as in Titus 2:12.

66.

Show how the Second Coming of Christ becomes a motive for holy living.

67.

When He returns in glory whose glory is it? Discuss,

68.

Explain in your own words how the cross becomes a motive for holy living,

69.

To what intent has Christ redeemed us? Give both the negative and the positive answer to this question.

70.

Show how we are sanctified by our acceptance of the death of Christ,

71.

In what sense are we a peculiar people?

72.

If we are not eager and urgent in living the Christian life, what is the difficulty according to Titus 2:14 b?

73.

What are the things of Titus 2:15 a?

74.

How is the word speak used here?

75.

Explain how the word reprove is used in Titus 2:15.

76.

Give the meaning of the phrase, Let no one despise thee.