Titus 2:1

 Titus 2:1 says, But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:  Paul told Titus to speak things which were sound in the doctrine of God.  This should be the goal of every Christian today.  We are not to follow what the world teaches if it goes against God's word. but are to speak God's truth, no matter what people may think about us. 

Verse two adds, That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. Paul then told Titus how certain groups should live their lives as followers of Christ.  He began with the older men, saying they should be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, and in patience.  I believe these characteristics will always be present in older Christian men if they are living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  

Verse three continues, The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  Paul then gave Titus the characteristics of older Christian women.  He said that they were to live in a manner that showed the holiness of God, not accuse people falsely, not to drink much wine, and to teach the good things of God. 

Verse four states, That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  Paul said that the older Christian women were to do the things just mentioned so that they could teach the younger women to be sober, love their husbands, and to love their children.  The obedience to God of older women today shouldn't just be for their own good, but also to benefit the younger women who look to them for an example of what being faithful to God means.   

Verse five adds, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  Paul then listed several other characteristics that older women, and younger women as well, should have.  God said that they were to do this so that God would not be blasphemed.  Everything that they did should point people to salvation and to living in obedience to the Holy Spirit after they accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  This is still what God expects from Christian women today, that they be obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in everything they do. 

Verse six continues, Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.  Paul said the older women were to also exhort young men to be sober minded.  Women who live by faith in God will also be an example to young men.

Titus 1:10

Titus 1:10 says, For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:  Paul said many men were unruly, vain talkers, and deceivers.  He said this was especially true of the circumcised, or the Jewish people.  They as whole still denied that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, and they still do today.  

Verse eleven adds, Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.  Paul said such men should have their mouths stopped since they could subvert whole families.  I don't believe he meant they should be killed, but only that they should not be listened to.  He also said that many of them did this for the sake of filthy lucre, or money and riches.  There are many people who declare things that they say come from God but point to riches in the world instead of faith in God.  

Verse twelve continues, One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.  Paul said even one of their own who was a prophet said the Cretians were always liars.  It seems to me that he was talking about a Jewish prophet, since he said the prophet was one of their own.  There are some people today who profess to be Christians who teach things that go against God's word, and we should never listen to them.  

Verse thirteen states, This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;  Paul said this witness from the Jews was true and that they should sharply rebuke those who taught any way to salvation other than through faith in Jesus Christ.  We still need to sharply rebuke those who teach anything other than God's word, especially when it comes to salvation, which is possible only by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  

Verse fourteen adds, Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.  Paul told Titus that he was not to take heed of the fables of the Jews and the commandments of men which led people away from the truth.  The Jewish people always had more laws and commandments than God's word gave, and these did and still do led people away from the truth of God.  So do many things that some non-Jews who profess to be teaching God's word.  

Verse fifteen continues, Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  Paul said to the pure, those redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, that all things were made pure.  He also said that for those who weren't that nothing was pure.  If we believe that salvation comes only from faith in Jesus Christ, He makes us pure before God, and if we don't, nothing we believe or do will make us pure before God.  

Verse sixteen concludes, They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  Paul said such men professed to know God but that their works denied this and they were abominable, disobedient, and in all good work reprobate.   This will always be true. 

Titus 1:5

 Titus 1:5 says, For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:  Paul said he left Titus in Crete to set things in order in the church.  He was also to ordain elders or preachers and or deacons in every city so they could keep God's order in the churches they served in by ensuring tht His word was what they were guided by.  I have to believe that they both felt that this was God's will for them.  Though some leaders in the church my be appointed today, especially missionaries, I believe that those appointing them and the missionaries themselves must believe that it is God's will that they serve where they are appointed.   

Verse six adds. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.  As in Timothy, Paul then began to give the requirements for preachers.  They were to be the husband of only one wife, though there is some dispute on what this means.  They were also to have children who were obedient, though this often isn't the case, especially as children get older, but a preacher should always do his best to lead them to obedience to God, as should all Christians.   

Verse seven continues, For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;  Though Paul said a bishop, or pastor, should be blameless, we know that this is never really possible, but should still be their goal.  They were not to be self-willed, or self-centered, not easily angered, not one who loves to drink wine, not someone who strikes others, and not wanting riches.  These are qualities that preacher should avoid today.  

Verse eight states, But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;  Having listed some things a preacher should not be, Paul now begins to list some things he should be.  He should offer hospitality to others willing, love to be in the presence of other good men, sober, just in his dealings with others, and temperate, or not hot-tempered. Of course, these qualities should apply to all Christians.

Verse nine adds, Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  Then Paul states that a preacher should hold fast to the faithful word that he had been taught so that he could be exhort others to accept Jesus Christ as their Savir and Lord.  Though the other characteristics are important, without being faithful to God's word they will mean very little.  A preacher, or any Christian, must be obedient to God's word before all else