Zealous for Good Works

Paul writes: But say the things which fit sound doctrine. Older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, and sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance. Paul adds that older women should be reverent in how they live, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, and teachers of what is good. Then they may train the young wives to love their husbands and children, to be sober minded, pure, workers at home, kind, and subject to their own husbands, so that God's word is not spoken against. Younger men should be sober minded too.

Paul tells Titus: In all things show yourself an example of good works. His teaching should show integrity and seriousness, and his speech should be sound, so that opponents have nothing evil to say. Paul then writes: Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things. They were not to talk back or steal, but to show good faithfulness, so that in everything their lives would make the teaching of God our Savior look beautiful.

Paul gives the reason behind all this: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. That grace instructs us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age. We wait with hope for Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior, to appear in glory. Jesus gave Himself to free us from all wickedness. He makes us clean and makes us His own people, eager to do good works. Paul tells Titus to teach these things with all authority and let no one despise him.