TITUS - Outline and Overview
Theme - Sound Doctrine
Outline -
I. Salutation - The Source of Sound Doctrine (1:1-4)
II. The Administration of Sound Doctrine (1:5-16)
The Appointment of Elders (1:5-9)
The Exposure of False Teachers (1:10-16)
III. The Preaching of Sound Doctrine (2:1-15)
Application (2:1-10)
To Aged Men (2:2)
To Aged Women (2:3)
To Young Women (2:4-5)
To Young Men (2:6)
To Titus & Paul (2:7-8)
To Slaves (2:9-10)
Definition (2:11-15)
IV. Counseling by Sound Doctrine (3:1-11)
V. Concluding Salutations (3:12-15)
(Note: Outline adapted from Merrill C. Tenney's outline)
According to the opening few verses of Paul's letter to Titus, it would seem that:
Sound doctrine originates with God
Sound doctrine needs to be:
accepted by faith,
motivated by God's promise of eternal life, and
result in a life of godliness (a synonym for which is "holiness").
There are 18 characteristics/evidences of godly/holy living found in Titus 1:6-9.
These would then seem to be God's will/desire for the life of ALL true believers (not just leaders!).
Here they are:
1. Blameless
i.e. unaccused, irreproachable, unimpeachable - while there is a good chance a true believer may be falsely accused of something, there should be no truthful basis upon which an accusation can be brought. 1 Peter 4:14-16 exhorts "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."
2. One Spouse
We realize that some have differing opinions of just what this means, but our position is that the meaning intends for a man to be a "one-woman" husband - legally, morally, emotionally, etc. We do not believe it precludes a man who was divorced before becoming a believer cannot serve in leadership, but having now believed, he holds to a Biblical view of marriage which is one man and one woman together for the rest of their lives.
3. Believing Children
Once again we acknowledge that some may have differing opinions on this. However, we believe that the intent is meant to be that a man seeks diligently to "train up his children in the way they should go". It does not guarantee success. There are Biblical examples of men of God whose children failed (such as Eli in 1 Samuel 2). But the Christian characteristic is one which trains, disciplines, encourages, admonishes, etc. with a goal of directing the children to be like Christ.
4. Good Stewardship
Good stewardship entails acknowledging that everything we have belongs to God, surrendering what we think is ours, and understanding our fiduciary responsibility to that which belongs to God. 1 Peter 4:10-11 tells us "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever." and 1 Cor. 4:2 reminds us "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."
5. Not Self-willed
We should have an attitude like that of Jesus Christ when He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39) "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
6. Not Soon Angry
i.e. not easily provoked to anger, not short-tempered or short-fused
James 1:19 puts it this way "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;" Proverbs 16:32 states it this way "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." We should characterize our Lord Who, in Psalm 103:8, is described this way: "The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy."
7. Not Given To Wine
Once more, an area of disagreement between believers, but we do not believe that the language either states or even implies total abstinence. Please see our related link regarding WINE. We believe that the implication is rather against: intoxication, excessive use (Prov. 23:30), careless use, uncontrolled use, etc. and the goal is the demonstration of self-control, discernment, etc.
8. Not Violent
i.e. not quarrelsome, contentious, argumentative
The Apostle Paul writes in Col. 3:12-13 "beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Prov. 17:14 warns: "The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts."
9. Not Given to Filthy Lucre
The idea here is that money is not the basis for your decisions. You are not to be greedy, not one who adds to his own wealth at the expense of others (stealing).
Matt. 6:24 tells us “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
10. Lover of Hospitality
Hospitable, literally "fond of guests", friendly toward people.
1 Peter 4:9 "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."Romans 12:9-13 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality."
11. Lover of Good Men
One who appreciates moral uprightness and virtue in others.
2 Peter 1:3-8 "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. "
12. Sober
Of a sound mind, self-controlled and temperate.
1 Peter 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
See also 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 5:8, Romans 12:3
13. Just
Righteous, fair, equitable - both in character and in actions/lifestyle
Deut 16:20 "You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
Concerning our God, we read in Deut. 32:4 "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He."
14. Holy
Hallowed, or sacred.
Eph 1:4 "...we should be holy and without blame before Him..."
Col.1:21-23 "...now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,..."
Once again, because of Who our God is, and what He is like, it's what we are to be like: "...but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
15. Temperate
Self-controlled, strong in controlling and restraining the will
1 Cor. 9:25 "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."
Gal. 5:23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Peter 1:5 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance..."
16. Holding Fast the Faithful Word
Adhering to, holding to, supporting
i.e. living by it, clinging to it, being consistent with it, promoting it
17. Able to Exhort by Sound Doctrine
To exhort is to call near - i.e. calling people, inviting people, to be nearer to God, via the Scriptures.
It is also to apply the truth (sound doctrine) to a person's life to encourage nearness to (likeness to) God.
18. Able to Convince Unbelievers of the Truth
To admonish, rebuke, reprove, convict, correct - i.e. lovingly insist on obedience to the Gospel truth.
2 Tim. 2:24-26 "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil..."
Perhaps this is a good time for a "selah" - a pause to reflect, meditate, confess, repent, or whatever the Lord might convict you of thru these Scriptures.
Additional Comments:
Titus 2:6-8 Exhortation regarding the young men
Paul instructs Titus to be a "pattern" of good works. The sound doctrine discussed earlier on t his page is to be lived out and practiced, not just intellectually affirmed. The Greek word "tupos" which is translated "pattern" here also has the idea of a stamp, a die, a model - i.e. something that forms a basis for reproducing a likeness of the original object. Paul tells Titus to live out the sound doctrine is such a way that the others will know how they are to live by observing him. This requires consistency. If you use the same pattern over and over, you get the same result every time. What pattern specifically does Paul refer to? - that "in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."
Titus 2:10 Exhortation to bondservants
"...showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things."
The Greek word for adorn is kosmeo, from which we get the word cosmetic.
We do not create sound doctrine, we adorn it. It is adorned when its effect on life and character are expressed in conduct visible to others.
Titus 2:11-14
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
This passage speaks volumes, but here is a recap:
1. It is only by, and because of, God's grace that the salvation of man is possible.
2. That grace brings about the redemption of man via Jesus :Who gave Himself for us".
3. That grace redeems us FROM every lawless deed.
4. That grace redeems us IN ORDER THAT we might be purified and produce good works zealously.
5. That grace teaches us how to live godly lives that please God.
6. That grace that brought Jesus to this earth to die for our sins will also bring Jesus back at the appointed time in a glorious appearing.
Sound doctrine manifested in good works seems to be Paul's theme in this letter to Titus
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men." (Titus 3:9)
But, what should be done about UNSOUND doctrine?
Titus 1:10-11 "For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain."
Titus 1:13-14 "...Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth."
In Mark 7:6-7 we read the words of Jesus "He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Titus 2:1 "But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:"
Learn sound doctrine.
Live sound doctrine.
Speak sound doctrine.
Teach sound doctrine.
Outline -
I. Salutation - The Source of Sound Doctrine (1:1-4)
II. The Administration of Sound Doctrine (1:5-16)
The Appointment of Elders (1:5-9)
The Exposure of False Teachers (1:10-16)
III. The Preaching of Sound Doctrine (2:1-15)
Application (2:1-10)
To Aged Men (2:2)
To Aged Women (2:3)
To Young Women (2:4-5)
To Young Men (2:6)
To Titus & Paul (2:7-8)
To Slaves (2:9-10)
Definition (2:11-15)
IV. Counseling by Sound Doctrine (3:1-11)
V. Concluding Salutations (3:12-15)
(Note: Outline adapted from Merrill C. Tenney's outline)
According to the opening few verses of Paul's letter to Titus, it would seem that:
Sound doctrine originates with God
Sound doctrine needs to be:
accepted by faith,
motivated by God's promise of eternal life, and
result in a life of godliness (a synonym for which is "holiness").
There are 18 characteristics/evidences of godly/holy living found in Titus 1:6-9.
These would then seem to be God's will/desire for the life of ALL true believers (not just leaders!).
Here they are:
1. Blameless
i.e. unaccused, irreproachable, unimpeachable - while there is a good chance a true believer may be falsely accused of something, there should be no truthful basis upon which an accusation can be brought. 1 Peter 4:14-16 exhorts "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."
2. One Spouse
We realize that some have differing opinions of just what this means, but our position is that the meaning intends for a man to be a "one-woman" husband - legally, morally, emotionally, etc. We do not believe it precludes a man who was divorced before becoming a believer cannot serve in leadership, but having now believed, he holds to a Biblical view of marriage which is one man and one woman together for the rest of their lives.
3. Believing Children
Once again we acknowledge that some may have differing opinions on this. However, we believe that the intent is meant to be that a man seeks diligently to "train up his children in the way they should go". It does not guarantee success. There are Biblical examples of men of God whose children failed (such as Eli in 1 Samuel 2). But the Christian characteristic is one which trains, disciplines, encourages, admonishes, etc. with a goal of directing the children to be like Christ.
4. Good Stewardship
Good stewardship entails acknowledging that everything we have belongs to God, surrendering what we think is ours, and understanding our fiduciary responsibility to that which belongs to God. 1 Peter 4:10-11 tells us "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever." and 1 Cor. 4:2 reminds us "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."
5. Not Self-willed
We should have an attitude like that of Jesus Christ when He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39) "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
6. Not Soon Angry
i.e. not easily provoked to anger, not short-tempered or short-fused
James 1:19 puts it this way "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;" Proverbs 16:32 states it this way "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." We should characterize our Lord Who, in Psalm 103:8, is described this way: "The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy."
7. Not Given To Wine
Once more, an area of disagreement between believers, but we do not believe that the language either states or even implies total abstinence. Please see our related link regarding WINE. We believe that the implication is rather against: intoxication, excessive use (Prov. 23:30), careless use, uncontrolled use, etc. and the goal is the demonstration of self-control, discernment, etc.
8. Not Violent
i.e. not quarrelsome, contentious, argumentative
The Apostle Paul writes in Col. 3:12-13 "beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Prov. 17:14 warns: "The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts."
9. Not Given to Filthy Lucre
The idea here is that money is not the basis for your decisions. You are not to be greedy, not one who adds to his own wealth at the expense of others (stealing).
Matt. 6:24 tells us “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
10. Lover of Hospitality
Hospitable, literally "fond of guests", friendly toward people.
1 Peter 4:9 "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."Romans 12:9-13 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality."
11. Lover of Good Men
One who appreciates moral uprightness and virtue in others.
2 Peter 1:3-8 "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. "
12. Sober
Of a sound mind, self-controlled and temperate.
1 Peter 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
See also 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 5:8, Romans 12:3
13. Just
Righteous, fair, equitable - both in character and in actions/lifestyle
Deut 16:20 "You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
Concerning our God, we read in Deut. 32:4 "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He."
14. Holy
Hallowed, or sacred.
Eph 1:4 "...we should be holy and without blame before Him..."
Col.1:21-23 "...now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,..."
Once again, because of Who our God is, and what He is like, it's what we are to be like: "...but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
15. Temperate
Self-controlled, strong in controlling and restraining the will
1 Cor. 9:25 "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."
Gal. 5:23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Peter 1:5 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance..."
16. Holding Fast the Faithful Word
Adhering to, holding to, supporting
i.e. living by it, clinging to it, being consistent with it, promoting it
17. Able to Exhort by Sound Doctrine
To exhort is to call near - i.e. calling people, inviting people, to be nearer to God, via the Scriptures.
It is also to apply the truth (sound doctrine) to a person's life to encourage nearness to (likeness to) God.
18. Able to Convince Unbelievers of the Truth
To admonish, rebuke, reprove, convict, correct - i.e. lovingly insist on obedience to the Gospel truth.
2 Tim. 2:24-26 "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil..."
Perhaps this is a good time for a "selah" - a pause to reflect, meditate, confess, repent, or whatever the Lord might convict you of thru these Scriptures.
Additional Comments:
Titus 2:6-8 Exhortation regarding the young men
Paul instructs Titus to be a "pattern" of good works. The sound doctrine discussed earlier on t his page is to be lived out and practiced, not just intellectually affirmed. The Greek word "tupos" which is translated "pattern" here also has the idea of a stamp, a die, a model - i.e. something that forms a basis for reproducing a likeness of the original object. Paul tells Titus to live out the sound doctrine is such a way that the others will know how they are to live by observing him. This requires consistency. If you use the same pattern over and over, you get the same result every time. What pattern specifically does Paul refer to? - that "in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."
Titus 2:10 Exhortation to bondservants
"...showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things."
The Greek word for adorn is kosmeo, from which we get the word cosmetic.
We do not create sound doctrine, we adorn it. It is adorned when its effect on life and character are expressed in conduct visible to others.
Titus 2:11-14
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
This passage speaks volumes, but here is a recap:
1. It is only by, and because of, God's grace that the salvation of man is possible.
2. That grace brings about the redemption of man via Jesus :Who gave Himself for us".
3. That grace redeems us FROM every lawless deed.
4. That grace redeems us IN ORDER THAT we might be purified and produce good works zealously.
5. That grace teaches us how to live godly lives that please God.
6. That grace that brought Jesus to this earth to die for our sins will also bring Jesus back at the appointed time in a glorious appearing.
Sound doctrine manifested in good works seems to be Paul's theme in this letter to Titus
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men." (Titus 3:9)
But, what should be done about UNSOUND doctrine?
Titus 1:10-11 "For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain."
Titus 1:13-14 "...Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth."
In Mark 7:6-7 we read the words of Jesus "He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Titus 2:1 "But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:"
Learn sound doctrine.
Live sound doctrine.
Speak sound doctrine.
Teach sound doctrine.