The big picture
Titus 2 opens in verse 1 with “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be…”, and closes in verse 15 with “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Repeated or prominent terms include good, doctrine, exhort, shewing, sober. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Titus · King James Version · 15Titus 2:1-8
1–8: Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Titus 2:1–8 opens with “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” and reaches “Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Older and younger believers learning sober, faithful conduct across household and community life, with particular weight carried by good, sober, sound.
Context that brings the passage to life
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” The line’s distinctive content terms include become, doctrine, sound. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine…” The line’s distinctive content terms include accusers, aged, becometh. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
Titus 2:1-8
King James Version1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
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.
Titus 2:9-15
9–15: Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please…
Titus 2:9–15 opens with “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things…” and reaches “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Older and younger believers learning sober, faithful conduct across household and community life, with particular weight carried by exhort, good, Saviour.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;” Naming Exhort keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Titus 2:9-15
King James Version9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Titus 2:1 begins with “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”
Where the chapter turns
Titus 2:1 forms a natural hinge: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”
The final note
Titus 2:15 leaves the reader with “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words good, doctrine, exhort, shewing, sober, sound help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which gifts come before the prohibition?
Life, the garden, food and meaningful work. The command occurs inside generosity.
How does chapter 2 deepen chapter 1?
It concentrates on dependence, partnership and responsibility within the shared human calling.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.