THE GRACE THAT LEADS TO GODLINESS

Passage: Titus 2:1-14

Key verse: 11

NIV

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.(A) 2 Teach the older men(B) to be temperate,(C) worthy of respect, self-controlled,(D) and sound in faith,(E) in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers(F) or addicted to much wine,(G) but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women(H) to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled(I) and pure, to be busy at home,(J) to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,(K) so that no one will malign the word of God.(L)

6 Similarly, encourage the young men(M) to be self-controlled.(N) 7 In everything set them an example(O) by doing what is good.(P) In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.(Q)

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,(R) to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior(S) attractive.(T)

11 For the grace(U) of God has appeared(V) that offers salvation to all people.(W) 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,(X) and to live self-controlled,(Y) upright and godly lives(Z) in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing(AA) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,(AB) 14 who gave himself for us(AC) to redeem us from all wickedness(AD) and to purify(AE) for himself a people that are his very own,(AF) eager to do what is good.(AG)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Teach Sound Doctrine

2 But as for you, teach what accords with (A)sound[a] doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, (B)sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 (C)Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, (D)not slanderers (E)or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, (F)pure, (G)working at home, kind, and (H)submissive to their own husbands, (I)that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge (J)the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be (K)a model of good works, and in your teaching (L)show integrity, (M)dignity, 8 and (N)sound speech that cannot be condemned, (O)so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 (P)Bondservants[b] are to be submissive to their own masters (Q)in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, (R)but showing all good faith, (S)so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 For (T)the grace of God (U)has appeared, bringing salvation (V)for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and (W)worldly passions, and (X)to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in (Y)the present age, 13 (Z)waiting for our blessed (AA)hope, the (AB)appearing of the glory of our great (AC)God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 (AD)who gave himself for us to (AE)redeem us from all lawlessness and (AF)to purify for himself (AG)a people for his own possession who are (AH)zealous for good works.

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Footnotes
  1. Titus 2:1 Or healthy; also verses 2, 8
  2. Titus 2:9 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul commissioned Titus to set an example in godliness, and to train and raise up members of the church. Senior men and women were to repent first and set an example for the next generation to follow, while the younger men and women were to practice self-control and repent of following their passions.

This passage reminds us that the gospel transforms every part of our lives. Paul calls all believers to live with self-control, integrity, and godliness, reflecting Christ in their daily relationships and responsibilities. This is not mere rule-keeping; it is a response to God’s grace. Verse 11 declares that God’s saving grace has appeared to all people, while verse 12 teaches us to reject ungodliness and live upright lives. Jesus gave himself to redeem and purify us, making us his own treasured people. As we await his glorious return, may our lives display the beauty of his grace and the power of his redemption.

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us the grace of Jesus by which we are saved. Please help me to live a godly life according to your grace. Raise up spiritual leaders among us who can mentor others.

One Word: Grace that leads to godliness