Titus 2:11-15

Grace Appeared to All People

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good. So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.”

— ‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭15‬‬

Titus 2:1 has a “but” to contrast instructions for Titus with the corrupt, destructive actions of the community around Paul’s young protege on Crete. Always have to keep in mind that Timothy and Titus are not exactly pastors, but they are sent by Paul to raise up churches/leadership in their respective areas. I believe, per Mounce’s commentary, the appropriate term is apostolic delegate.

Chapter 2 is a bunch of instructions for groups of people: husbands, wives, slaves, young and old men, so falls under the category of a household code. I think this is one reason Paul uses the term “all people” in v .11. Yes, this is perhaps also emphasizing all nations/races. All socio-economic classes. And all of this may be wrapped up in the first ten verses. (So I would not use this verse for any kind of universalism. Perhaps that’s my theology getting in the way of pure exegesis. Literally “all men” doesn’t mean “all nations,” yes, but I am using a more chapter approach to inform the phrase.)

Why would the church have different instructions? Or what motivates different lifestyle from ch 1? Grace of God appeared. This is classic — such were you, but not anymore. Now, grace teaches/trains you to live differently. You can now be self-controlled, disciplined, pure. On our own, we can’t be any of this. 

I think it’s important to note that what “changes” us — at least in this passage- is grace. A full understanding of God’s love and forgiveness. This is explained further in the passage.

We wait for the fulfillment of salvation when the Lord appears. Hope now waits for fulfillment of hope later. Hope is not just forgiveness of sins, but in the resurrection of bodies. The restoration of creation. The final and ultimate reign of Jesus for eternity. But that hope must have effects in the present.

Jesus gave Himself to redeem a people for Himself. A people willing to do good. A pure people. All of these statements must be taken in context of Titus. Nothing can be preached/taught as a proof text against random things we see on the daily. But yes, those who follow Jesus should become more pure in their pursuit of Jesus. Yes, we should do good works/ serve those around us. We should be eager for these things. This not only contrasts the society around us, but the people we used to be. None of this is possible apart from grace.

Paul exhorts Titus to preach these things boldly, and there’s a similar line as to Timothy (1 Tim 4:12) about being young. True doctrine and an example of godly living/humility/service is far greater than perceived authority by world’s metrics.