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