As we step into 2026, many people around us are imagining an improved version of themselves. They’ve even hashed out some numbers: steps to track, calories to count, dollars to deduct. Paul’s charge to Titus reminds us that gospel ministry is measured differently. Here in ten short but intense verses, God gives us no key performance indicators (KPIs). Instead, he floods us with human qualities that glorify the Lord, his Word, and our Savior. These qualities are empowered by grace in the lives of people whose spiritual shepherds speak the Scriptures to them.
2.1 Σὺ δὲ λάλει ἃ πρέπει τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ.
Translation: But as for you, speak what is in line with sound doctrine.
In contrast to the false teachers Paul mentioned in the previous verses, Titus was to be a teacher of God’s pure Word. As believers—and as pastors—we meditate on God’s Word day and night, speaking it to ourselves, our loved ones, and the flock entrusted to our care. Paul identifies five groups to whom Titus will speak God’s Word and the desired qualities for each group.
Older men:
2 πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι, σεμνούς, σώφρονας, ὑγιαίνοντας τῇ πίστει, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ.
Translation: The older men are to be sober minded, dignified, wise, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Each of the four items in this list is loaded with meaning, and each requires a lifetime of pursuit. The Holy Spirit working through the Word will produce these qualities in the older men among us. Gatherings of believers are blessed when the mature men among them have the wisdom of salvation and walk in the wise ways of holy living.
Older women and younger women:
3 Πρεσβύτιδας ὡσαύτως ἐν καταστήματι ἱεροπρεπεῖς, μὴ διαβόλους μηδὲ οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας, καλοδιδασκάλους, 4 ἵνα σωφρονίζωσι τὰς νέας φιλάνδρους εἶναι, φιλοτέκνους, 5 σώφρονας, ἁγνάς, οἰκουργούς, ἀγαθάς, ὑποτασσομένας τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν, ἵνα μὴ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ βλασφημῆται.
Translation: In the same way, the older women are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderous, not controlled by much wine, teaching what is good—so they can wisely counsel the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be wise, to be pure, to work at home, to be kind, (and) to submit to their own husbands—that the word of God might not be blasphemed.
We see the priesthood of all believers in these verses. The older women of the congregation are priestesses before God. They are to be mindful of their high calling and intentional in pursuit of the good and their avoidance of evil. They are in a unique position to serve the younger women in the congregation.
The younger women have the longest list in this chapter—seven qualities that they are to pursue. At least five of them relate to life in the home. How important godly women are to the wellbeing of home and church! While the world does not often promote or praise the role of Christian wives and mothers, the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, does.
Younger men and Titus:
6 Τοὺς νεωτέρους ὡσαύτως παρακάλει σωφρονεῖν· 7 περὶ πάντα σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος τύπον καλῶν ἔργων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀφθορίαν, σεμνότητα, 8 λόγον ὑγιῆ ἀκατάγνωστον, ἵνα ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας ἐντραπῇ μηδὲν ἔχων λέγειν περὶ ἡμῶν φαῦλον.
Translation: Likewise, encourage the young men to be prudent in all things, offering yourself as an example of good works, in your teaching displaying integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be reproached, so that anyone from the opposition might be put to shame because they have no grounds for speaking against us.
The one requirement listed for young men (those under the age of 40) is that they should be wise/prudent. The book of Proverbs comes to mind. Young men are to pursue the wisdom of piety in every facet of life. For this to happen, young men need spiritual shepherds who speak the Word to them. They need to be in the Word themselves. The Holy Spirit working through the Word will give a holy shape to their lives.
And Titus, who probably fell into this age group, is to be a model for the other young men and for all the groups mentioned here. He is to be a model of good works. In his teaching, Titus is to be pure in motive, dignified in demeanor, and sound in doctrine. In this way, Titus not only builds up the body of Christ, he also helps Christ’s church to give faithful witness to a world that leans into groundless accusations against the church.
Slaves:
9 Δούλους ἰδίοις δεσπόταις ὑποτάσσεσθαι ἐν πᾶσιν, εὐαρέστους εἶναι, μὴ ἀντιλέγοντας, 10 μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πᾶσαν πίστιν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν.
Translation: (Encourage) slaves to submit to their own masters in everything, to aim to please, not talking back, not stealing, but proving themselves trustworthy, in order that they might adorn the teaching of God our Savior in every way.
A significant portion of society (and of the church) were slaves. As heirs of eternal life, they were to accept their lot in life and to go about their work willingly, joyfully, and actively. In this way they would not only express their faith in the Lord, but they would also proclaim and show the beauty of their God and Savior. Only God’s gracious promises can shape the hearts and lives of people in such an amazing way. (Note: In the verses that follow, the power of the pure gospel is emphasized. We will take up vv. 11-15 next time.)
God’s Word is life-giving and life-changing. God’s Word rescues and rehabilitates. Pastors who speak what is in accord with sound doctrine are physicians for God’s people, making them healthy. They are truly wise men, making God’s people wise.
Prayer: Lord, make us pastors like Titus—faithful to teach sound doctrine that produces wise and healthy believers. Help us model the gospel in all respects, that our churches may beautify your truth and draw a watching world to the Lord Jesus Christ. Guard us from hypocrisy and empower us by your grace to live what we preach. Amen.
P.S. For further reading, we recommend Pres. emeritus David Valleskey’s recent book, The Splendid Task of the Ministry: A Pastoral Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (NPH, 2023).