Titus 2:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Even if they are unbelieving and dishonorable men, you must still do your work. Do not be silent, even if they do not receive the teaching.

But you must speak what befits, not the teaching of the Law, which had force and whose time then passed, but what befits the holiness of the teaching, that is...

In our Scripture I place first what is fitting, which in Greek is called πρέπον. We learn this by reading, "Praise is fitting for Thee, O God, in Zion" (Ps 64:2), or in Greek, Σοὶ πρέπει ὕμνος ὁ Θεὸς ἐν Σιών. The Apostle also said, "Speak the things which befit sound doctrine" (Tit 2:1). And elsewhere: "For it was fitting that He, for Whom and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the Captain of their salvation perfect through suffering" (Heb 2:10).

Let those who teach contrary things not trouble you, says the Apostle. Continue, according to custom, to impart the divine instructions. He also states what is fitting for each age.

What exhortations should be given in accordance with each person’s age. “But speak the things which befit sound doctrine.” Speak what is worthy of right teaching, even if no one wishes to follow your teaching. A teacher must do his own work.

In the second section, Saint Paul sketches the form of the pastor’s proper teaching activity in the Church. First, he shows him what to teach the faithful according to their age and state: what to teach older men and older women (Tit 2:1, 3), young women and young men (Tit 2:4–6), and slaves (Tit 2:9–10). Second, he shows how to teach: by presenting himself as a pattern of good works, and likewise of pure teaching and sound, irreproachable speech (Tit 2:7–8).

The Apostle gives Titus lessons for teaching the old, evidently adapting himself to the customs of the time. He counsels him gradually to raise all to Christian perfection. Those who are in that perfection must express it not only in true faith and a good life, but also in dignified dress. Still more must they express it by a good teaching influence upon the younger. The Apostle calls such teaching "sound," and those who hold to it "sober-minded." "By sober-minded," says St. John Chrysostom, "he here meant prudent. For sobriety is the sound state of the mind." Concerning old age he said: "Old age also has defects. Its marks are negligence, laziness, forgetfulness, dullness, and immobility. Therefore the Apostle commands the older men to be sober.

In contrast to these false teachers, who teach the Cretans only what is evil, Titus must set forth sound doctrine. He must teach the faithful the dogmas of the faith and the rules of morality. The Apostle even indicates which virtues are to be taught to the faithful according to their age, sex, and state. Titus himself must serve as an example for the faithful.

Those who teach wrongly, the Apostle said above, "teach what they ought not" (Tit 1:11). But you, he says, addressing Titus, teach "what accords with sound doctrine" (Tit 2:1). At once he indicates what should be said to whom. He does not embrace everything, but has in view only older men and older women (Tit 2:2-3), young women and young men (Tit 2:4-6), slaves (Tit 2:9-10), and civic virtues (Tit 3:1-2). Among these instructions he inserts a reminder that the teacher himself must show an example in all things (Tit 2:7-8). He must instill in those taught that the whole divine economy in Christ Jesus has this aim: that believers, having renounced impiety and worldly desires, should live soberly, holily, and piously, zealous for good works in blessed hope (Tit 2:11-15).