Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-15
Proper for Sound Doctrine
(Titus 2)
Intro.
1. Sound mind and sound body describe good health, competency and capacity (Illus. “Last Will and Testament”), 2 Tim. 1:7.
a. hugiainō: “to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); fig. to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):---be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (-some).” (Strong’s)
2. Sound: Doctrine, 1 Tim. 1:9; 4:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1; wholesome words, 1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13; in the faith, Tit. 1:13; faith, Tit. 2:2; speech, Tit. 2:8.
3. Speak the things that are proper for sound doctrine, Titus 2:1.
-Sound doctrine is a message (faithful word of God, Tit. 1:9), not a “testimony” of an experience, etc. (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
I. SOUND DOCTRINE IS PERSONAL (NOT PERSONALLY DEFINED), Titus 2:1-10.
A. Older Men, Titus 2:2.
1. Teach old dogs new tricks! With respect, 1 Tim. 5:1; Job 32:2-9.
2. Sound minds:
a. Sober: “circumspect, temperate” (not intoxicated, lit. & fig.)
b. Reverent: Dignified, honorable, honest.
c. Temperate: Self-controlled, moderate, discreet.
3. Sound actions (faith, love, patience): Faithful life that loves God and others with steadfast endurance, 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 Cor. 15:58.
B. Older Women, Titus 2:3-4.
1. Like older men, must be willing to learn.
2. Behavior:
a. Reverent: Conduct becoming to holiness (priestly).
b. Not slanderers (diabalos, accuser), cf. 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3.
c. Not enslaved to much wine: Not dominated by, controlled by.
3. Teachers of good things: Instructing what is right.
-Older women teach, train, encourage and warn young women by your words and the influence of your conduct
C. Young Women, Titus 2:4-5.
1. Admonish: To be called to soundness, to moderate, be in control. Young women must overcome the temptation to be extreme.
2. Behavior and demeanor:
a. Love husbands (philandros): Warm affection.
b. Love children (philoteknos): Fond of one’s children.
c. Discreet: Temperate (2:2), moderate, self-controlled.
d. Chaste: Pure, innocent, morally clean.
e. Homemakers: Domestic role, manage home, 1 Tim. 5:14.
f. Good (agathos): Virtuous, beneficial.
g. Obedient to husbands: Submissive, Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 3:1, 5-6.
-Avoid blasphemy against the word of God.
D. Young Men, Titus 2:6-8.
1. Character: Sober-minded (moderate, “to put a moderate estimate upon one’s self, think of one’s self,” Thayer) Rom. 12:3.
2. Conduct: Good works (Eph. 2:10).
3. Doctrine (produces conduct, examples, 1 Tim. 4:12):
a. Integrity: Uncorrupted, purity.
b. Reverence: Gravity, dignity (not immature, lacking judgment).
c. Incorruptibility: Genuineness (not tainted with impurities).
d. Sound speech: Healthy communication (cf. Eph. 5:4).
-So that any effort to oppose you is dishonorable (1 Pet. 3:16).
E. Servants (Workers), Titus 2:9-10. (20-30% of Roman Empire slaves)
1. Obey your masters w/o contradiction, 1 Tim. 6:1-2 (Col. 3:23).
-Not sullen reluctance, but eager and glad to please. cf. Titus 1:12
2. Don’t pilfer, but be honest/truthful (steal, embezzle), Eph. 4:28.
3. Influence: Beautify gospel, not occasion for blasphemy (2:5, 1).
II. SOUND DOCTRINE IS PRACTICAL, Titus 2:11, 14.
A. Sound Doctrine is Our Pattern in Life, Tit. 2:7; Phil. 3:14-17.
1. It meets all our needs for life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1:3.
2. Doctrine is essential for faithfulness!
B. Faithful Living Beautifully Adorns Sound Doctrine, Tit. 2:10, 11-12.
III. SOUND DOCTRINE IS POWERFUL, Titus 2:15.
A. Speak, Exhort, and Rebuke with All Authority, 1 Tim. 4:13; 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2 (1 Tim. 4:11; 5:7; 6:2). God’s authority
B. Not to be Despised (depreciate, discount, disregard), 1 Thess. 4:8.
Conclusion
1. Doctrine is not optional. It must be sound (healthy) to be good.
2. Bring glory to the gospel by personally applying sound doctrine to our lives.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: August 14, 2018