This section has two verses.
Titus 2:7-8
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity,
sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he
that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having
no evil thing to say of you.
We will begin with the Barclay Commentary.
THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
5. THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER
Titus 2:7–8
And all the time you are doing this you must offer
yourself as a pattern of fine conduct; and in your
teaching you must display absolute purity of motive,
dignity, a sound message which no one could condemn,
so that your opponent may be turned to shame,
because he can find nothing bad to say about us.
IF Titus’ teaching is to be effective, it must be
backed by the witness of his own life. He is himself
to be the demonstration of all that he teaches.
(1) It must be clear that his motives are absolutely
pure. The Christian teacher and preacher is always
faced with certain temptations. There is always the
danger of self-publicity, the temptation to
demonstrate one’s own cleverness and to seek to
attract notice to oneself rather than to God’s
message. There is always the temptation to power.
The teacher, the preacher, the pastor is always
confronted with the temptation to be a dictator.
Leader he must be, but dictator never. Titus will
find that people can be led, but that they will
never be driven. If there is one danger which
confronts the Christian teacher and preacher more
than another, it is to set store by the wrong
standards of success. It can often happen that those
who have never been heard of outside their own
sphere of work are in God’s eyes far more successful
than those who have become household names.
(2) He must have dignity. Dignity is not aloofness,
or arrogance, or pride; it is the consciousness of
having the terrible responsibility of being the
ambassador of Christ. Others may stoop to pettiness;
Titus must be above it. Others may bear their
grudges; he must have no bitterness. Others may be
touchy about their status; he must have a humility
which has forgotten that it has a place. Others may
grow irritable or blaze into anger in an argument;
he must have a serenity which cannot be provoked.
Nothing so injures the cause of Christ as when
leaders of the Church and pastors of the people
descend to conduct and to words unworthy of Christ’s
servants.
(3) He must have a sound message. Christian teachers
and preachers must be certain to pass on the truths
of the gospel and not their own ideas. There is
nothing easier than to spend time on side issues;
but Titus might well have one prayer: ‘God, give me
a sense of proportion.’ The central things of the
faith will last him a lifetime. As soon as he
becomes a propagandist either for his own ideas or
for the interest of a particular group, he ceases to
be an effective preacher or teacher of the word of
God.
The duty laid on Titus is the tremendous task not of
talking to people about Christ but of showing Christ
to them. It must be true of him as it was of
Chaucer’s saintly parson in the Canterbury Tales:
[knowing that Chaucer uses
strange spellings of words]
But Cristes love, and his apostles twelve
He taught, but first he folwed it him-selve.
The greatest compliment that can be paid to a
teacher is to
say of him: ‘First he wrought, and then he taught.’
~Barclay Commentary
Now to the other commentaries beginning with the
general and going to the specific. We will
begin with the Matthew Henry Main
5. With these instructions to Titus, respecting what
he should teach others - the aged men and women, and
the younger of both sexes (Titus himself probably at
this time being a young man also), the apostle
inserts some directions to himself. He could not
expect so successfully to teach others, if he did
not conduct himself well both in his conversation
and preaching.
(1.) Here is direction for his conversation: In all
things showing thyself a pattern of good works,
Titus 2:7. Without this, he would pull down with one
hand what he built with the other. Observe,
Preachers of good works must be patterns of them
also; good doctrine and good life must go together.
Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not
thyself? A defect here is a great blemish and a
great hindrance. In all things; some read, above all
things, or above all men. Instructing others in the
particulars of their duty is necessary, and, above
all things, example, especially that of the teacher
himself, is needful; hereby both light and influence
are more likely to go together. “Let them see a
lively image of those virtues and graces in thy life
which must be in theirs. Example may both teach and
impress the things taught; when they see purity and
gravity, sobriety and all good life, in thee, they
may be more easily won and brought thereto
themselves; they may become pious and holy, sober
and righteous, as thou art.” Ministers must be
examples to the flock, and the people followers of
them, as they are of Christ. And here is direction,
(2.) For his teaching and doctrine, as well as for
his life: In doctrine showing uncorruptness,
gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be
condemned, Titus 2:7-8. They must make it appear
that the design of their preaching is purely to
advance the honour of God, the interest of Christ
and his kingdom, and the welfare and happiness of
souls; that this office was not entered into nor
used with secular views, not from ambition nor
covetousness, but a pure aim at the spiritual ends
of its institution. In their preaching, therefore,
the display of wit or parts, or of human learning or
oratory, is not to be affected; but sound speech
must be used, which cannot be condemned;
scripture-language, as far as well may be, in
expressing scripture-truths. This is sound speech,
that cannot be condemned. We have more than once
these duties of a minister set together. 1 Timothy
4:16 [see
Lesson]
, Take heed to thyself, and to
thy doctrine: and, 1 Timothy 4:12
[see
Lesson]
. of the same chapter, “Let no
man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of
believers in word - in thy speech, as a Christian,
being grave, serious, and to the use of edifying;
and in thy preaching, that it be the pure word of
God, or what is agreeable to it and founded on it.
Thus be an example in word: and in conversation, the
life corresponding with the doctrine. In doing this
thou shalt both save thyself and those that hear
thee.” In 2 Timothy 3:10
[see
Lesson]
, Thou hast fully known my
doctrine and manner of life (says the same apostle),
how agreeable these have been. And so must it be
with others; their teaching must be agreeable to the
word, and their life with their teaching. This is
the true and good minister. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-10.
Labouring night and day, we preached to you the
gospel of God; and you are witnesses, and God also,
how holily, and justly, and unblamably, we behaved
ourselves among you. This must be looked to, as the
next words show, which are,
(3.) The reason both for the strictness of the
minister's life and the gravity and soundness of his
preaching: That he who is of the contrary part may
be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Adversaries would be seeking occasion to reflect,
and would do so could they find any thing amiss in
doctrine or life; but, if both were right and good,
such ministers might set calumny itself at defiance;
they would have not evil thing to say justly, and so
must be ashamed of their opposition. Observe,
Faithful ministers will have enemies watching for
their halting, such as will endeavour to find or
pick holes in their teaching or behaviour; the more
need therefore for them to look to themselves, that
no just occasion be found against them. Opposition
and calumny perhaps may not be escaped; men of
corrupt minds will resist the truth, and often
reproach the preachers and professors of it; but let
them see that with well-doing they put to silence
the ignorance of foolish men; that, when they speak
evil of them as evil-doers; those may be ashamed who
falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ.
This is the direction to Titus himself, and so of
the duties of free persons, male and female, old and
young. ~Matthew Henry Main
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise.
This commentary covers verses 1-10.
Old disciples of Christ must behave in everything
agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged
men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature
will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from
nearer communion with God, not from any undue
indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in
love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake.
Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful;
therefore, need to be on their guard. Though there
is not express Scripture for every word, or look,
yet there are general rules, according to which all
must be ordered. Young women must be sober and
discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal
temptations by what at first might be only want of
discretion. The reason is added, that the word of
God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties
greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to
be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be
earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are
more young people ruined by pride than by any other
sin. Every godly man's endeavor must be to stop the
mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience
answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for
a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open
itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to
speak of! ~Matthew Henry
Concise.
Now something from the Summarized Bible that covers
the entire chapter.
Contents: Pastoral work of a true minister.
Characters: Christ, Paul, Titus.
Conclusion: The ministers of Christ should
discharge their duties with faithfulness, being
careful to teach only such truths as are emphasized
by God’s Word, and dividing to each person,
according to their age, and condition in life, those
special portions of the truth designed for their
particular spiritual needs. Let all considerations
of the Gospel be ever linked to those foundation
truths, the grace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ,
the sanctified life through Him and the blessed hope
of His return.
Key Word: Sound doctrine, Titus 2:1, Titus
2:15.
Titus 2:1 [see
Lesson]
But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine:
Titus 2:15 [see
Lesson]
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all
authority. Let no man despise thee.
Strong Verses: Titus 2:7, Titus 2:11, Titus
2:12, Titus 2:13, Titus 2:14.
Titus 2:7 [see
Lesson]
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity,
sincerity,
Titus 2:11 [see
Lesson]
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 [see
Lesson]
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world;
Titus 2:13 [see
Lesson]
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ;
Striking Facts: Titus 2:11-13. We have in
Titus 2:12, Titus 2:13, the A B C’s of the school of
grace. The Gospel of grace teaches us (1) to leave
the old life (2) to live the new life (3) to look
for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of
Christ. ~Summarized Bible
Titus 2:11-13 [see
Lessons]
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ;
Now to the specific commentaries.
The verse breaks out in three parts:
1] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned.
2] That he that is of the contrary part may be
ashamed.
3] having no evil thing to say to you.
1] Sound speech, that cannot be
condemned.
Sound speech -Sound or
healing doctrine. Human nature is in a state of
disease; and the doctrine of the Gospel is
calculated to remove the disease, and restore all to
perfect health and soundness. All false doctrines
leave men under the influence of this spiritual
disease; the unadulterated doctrine of the Gospel
alone can heal men. ~Adam
Clarke
Sound speech that cannot be
condemned - In the public ministry, the
wholesome words of our Lord Jesus should be used,
and the doctrines of the Gospel be expressed, as
near as can be, in the words which the Holy [Spirit]
teacheth [God through the
Holy Spirit], and not in the enticing
words of man's wisdom; such speech or language
should be chosen, that is plain, easy, and
acceptable, and conveys just ideas of things; and
which being agreeable to the Scriptures of truth,
and the analogy of faith, cannot be justly found
fault with: or this may refer to private
conversation, in which no rotten speech, or corrupt
communication should proceed out of the mouth;
nothing but what is pure, sound, graceful, and
edifying; no filthiness, nor foolish talking and
jesting, which are not convenient, and are rightly
condemned. ~John Gill
Sound speech - Notes, 1
Timothy 1:10. He was to use language that would be
spiritually “healthful” (ὑγιῆ hugiē); that is,
true, pure, uncorrupted. - This word, and its
correlatives, is used in this sense, in the New
Testament, only by the apostle Paul. It is commonly
applied to the body, meaning that which is
healthful, or whole; see Luke 5:31; Luke 6:10; Luke
7:10; Luke 15:27; Matthew 12:13; Matthew 15:31; Mark
3:5; Mark 5:34; John 5:4, John 5:6, John 5:9, John
5:11, John 5:14-15; John 7:23; Acts 4:10; 3 John
1:2. For Paul’s use of the word see
1 Timothy 1:10;
1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13;2 Timothy 4:3; Titus
1:9, Titus 1:13; Titus 2:1-2, Titus 2:8. It does not
elsewhere occur. ~Barnes
Notes
Quoted verses:
The first set of verse in the Barnes Notes
commentary speak to the body [healthful or whole]
and I have them listed below.
For the audio of this Bible study, I will read the
verses here in bold type [in
the list above and the whole verses below] that speak to sound speech.
1 Timothy 1:10
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves
with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for
perjured persons, and if there be any other thing
that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Luke 5:31
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are
whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Luke 6:10
And looking round about upon them all, he said unto
the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and
his hand was restored whole as the other.
Luke 7:10
And they that were sent, returning to the house,
found the servant whole that had been sick.
Luke 15:27
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy
father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath
received him safe and sound.
Matthew 12:13
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand.
And he stretched it forth; and it was restored
whole, like as the other.
Matthew 15:31
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw
the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame
to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified
the God of Israel.
Mark 3:5
And when he had looked round about on them with
anger, being grieved for the hardness of their
hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine
hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was
restored whole as the other.
Mark 5:34
And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made
thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
John 5:4
For an angel went down at a certain season into the
pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first
after the troubling of the water stepped in was made
whole of whatsoever disease he had.
John 5:6
When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been
now a long time in that case, he saith unto him,
Wilt thou be made whole?
John 5:9
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up
his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the
sabbath.
John 5:11
He answered them, He that made me whole, the same
said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
John 5:14-15
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and
said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no
more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was
Jesus, which had made him whole.
John 7:23
If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision,
that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye
angry at me, because I have made a man every whit
whole on the sabbath day?
Acts 4:10
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of
Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from
the dead, even by him doth this man stand here
before you whole.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest
prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth.
1 Timothy 1:10 [see
Lesson]
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves
with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for
perjured persons, and if there be any other thing
that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1 Timothy 6:3 [see
Lesson]
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to
wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to
godliness;
2 Timothy 1:13 [see
Lesson]
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:3 [see
Lesson]
For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Titus 1:9 [see
Lesson]
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both
to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 1:13 [see
Lesson]
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them
sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 2:1-2 [see
Lesson]
1 But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate,
sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Titus 2:8 [see
Lesson]
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that
is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no
evil thing to say of you.
That cannot be condemned
- Such as cannot be shown to be weak, or unsound;
such that no one could find fault with it, or such
as an adversary could not take hold of and blame.
This direction would imply purity and seriousness of
language, solidity of argument, and truth in the
doctrines which he maintained.
~Barnes Notes
2] That he that is of the contrary
part may be ashamed.
He that is of the contrary
part - Whether this may refer to the
Judaizing teachers in general, or to some one who
might, by his false doctrine, have been disturbing
the peace of the Churches in Crete, we cannot tell.
~Adam Clarke
That he that is of the
contrary part may be ashamed - that is, that
he who is on the other side of the question, who
opposes the truths of the Gospel, and is an
adversary to them; whether he be an Heathen
philosopher, or a Jewish Rabbi, or a judaizing
teacher, or an heretical [huh-ret-i-kuh
l] man, under the Christian name, may be
put to shame and confusion; partly on account of
that uncorruptness in doctrine and conversation,
which he observes in the true and faithful ministers
of the word, and is wanting in himself; and so being
convinced, may be converted and brought to
repentance, and to the acknowledgment of the truth;
and partly on the account of the false charges and
accusations brought by him against such:
~John Gill
That he that is of the
contrary part may be ashamed - Ashamed that
he has opposed such views.
~Barnes Notes
3] having on evil thing to say to
you.
Having no evil thing to say of
you - Against a person who is sound in his
doctrine, and holy in his life, no evil can be
justly alleged. He who reports evil of such a person
must be confounded when brought to the test.
~Adam Clarke
Having no evil thing to say of
you - whether with respect to doctrine or
practice. The Vulgate Latin version, and all the
Oriental versions, read "us", instead of "you". The
whole body is reproached for the sake of one or
more. ~John Gill
So, immerse yourself in the Word of God, study,
meditate, pray and think
so that your speech is sound. This is the lesson of
Verse 8. |