Titus 2
What Happens in This Chapter
Paul tells Titus what to teach each group in the church: older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and servants. He says their daily lives should match the teaching they say they believe. Then he explains that God's kindness has appeared, bringing rescue and teaching people how to live now, while they wait for Jesus Christ to appear. The chapter ends with Paul telling Titus to speak, encourage, and correct with full authority.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
1But you, Titus, must teach what fits with true and healthy teaching.
2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
2Tell the older men to be steady and not drink too much. They should live in a way people respect. They should hold on to what they believe. They should love others and keep going when things are hard.
In 1611 English, "charity" meant love, and "sober" and "temperate" meant steady and self-controlled, not just careful with drink.
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
3Tell the older women the same. They should live in a way that honors God. They should not tell lies about people. They should not drink too much wine. They should teach what is good.
4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
4In this way they can train the younger women. They can teach them to love their husbands and their children.
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
5The younger women should think clearly and stay pure. They should take good care of their homes. They should be kind and follow their own husbands' lead. Then no one will say bad things about God's message.
6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
6In the same way, tell the younger men to control themselves.
7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
7In everything, show them how by doing good yourself. When you teach, be honest and serious and truthful.
8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
8Say things that are healthy and right, so no one can find fault. Then people who argue against us will feel ashamed. They will have nothing bad to say about us.
9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
9Tell servants to obey their own masters. They should try to please them in everything. They should not talk back.
The "servants" here were slaves. In Paul's world, many people in homes were owned by their masters.
10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
10They should not take things that are not theirs. They should be honest and trustworthy. Then they make the teaching about God our Savior look good. A Savior is someone who rescues people.
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
11God's grace has now been shown to everyone. Grace is God's kindness that no one has to earn. It brings rescue to people.
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
12That kindness teaches us to say no to living as if God were not there. It teaches us to say no to wanting wrong things. It teaches us to live wisely and fairly and close to God, here and now.
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
13We wait for the happy thing we are hoping for. We wait for our great God and Savior Jesus Christ to appear in shining glory.
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
14He gave himself for us. He did it to set us free from everything wrong. He wanted a people who belong to him and love doing good.
"A peculiar people" did not mean odd or strange. It meant a people who belong to God as his very own.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
15Say these things. Cheer people on, and correct them, with full authority. Do not let anyone look down on you.
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