Right Living and the Grace of God

Titus is the third of Paul’s pastoral epistles, which were written to give instructions to local church leaders. Chapter 1 addresses two major topics: church leadership qualifications (1:5–9) and dealing with false teachers in the church (1:10–16). Chapter 2 opens with the importance of sound doctrine, or “right thinking.” Right thinking leads to right living. The first half of the second chapter deals with teaching right living for various groups within the church: older men, older women, younger men, and younger women. This section stresses such attributes as self-control, faithfulness, dignity, respect, godliness, and love. Older men and women are to mentor younger men and women, respectively. 

This Sunday’s text continues with Paul’s directions for servants regarding submission to their masters. Then, Paul explains how the grace of God teaches and inspires us to right behavior and right thinking. God’s grace is foundational for godly traits such as self-control, respect, and a life of godliness.