v1: Titus had a responsibility to teach sound doctrine, to older men (v2), to older women (v3.5), to young men (v6), to servants (v9-10), and to apply it to himself (v7-8). Sound doctrine is consistent with practical, holy, living. Sound doctrine means that others will not malign (or blaspheme) the word of God, see v5, and that the teaching of Christ will be made "attractive" (v10).

v2: The older men should be temperate and self-controlled (also v6); it may have been that the churches in Crete were characterised by disorder and disobedience.

These men should be worthy of respect, and show respect. Careless attitudes can dishonour the Lord's Name (Acts 24.16).

v3-5: Older women were also to be taught to be reverent. In particular, they had the responsibility to teach younger women. There can be honour for God, or dishonour, in the home. This wisdom also protects Titus himself, to keep him from unhealthy direct contact with younger women.

v6: The young men were to be taught to be self-controlled.

v7-8: Titus' own life had to be an example for the churches, a life to match his words, 1 Pet 3.16. He had to set a pattern of good works, a blameless life, consistently godly. He had to proclaim right doctrine, and declare it with integrity, honesty, clarity, reverence; the way we teach the truth must match the truth itself. Through sound speech, the truth cannot be condemned (or contradicted); those who oppose the truth will be silenced.

v9-10: Servants were commanded to be obedient, and to give proper honour to their masters.

Although the phrase, that servants' lives can make the doctrine "attractive" refers to servants, we may apply it to each of the preceding applications also. Thus, the lives of Christians, in the home, in the place of work, which are obedient and godly, adorn the doctrine of our God and Saviour.

v11-14: These words, with 3.4-7, declare many key truths. They show the purpose of Christ in saving a people for Himself, that His people might be holy. Paul insisted that the gospel promotes godly living, it demands a constant attitude of repentance, as sins are rejected. Note too, that Christ's two appearances (past and future), are presented as motivation for godly living. As in Timothy, the truth is according to godliness.

v11: The grace of God has appeared;

• grace has its source in God;
• grace brings salvation;
• grace has appeared in Jesus Christ (see 3.4); and
• the offer of salvation is to all.

Grace has appeared in Jesus Christ; in due course, Jesus Christ Himself will appear (v13).

v12: The grace of God changes our lives;

• it teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, since the standards of the world are different from the standards of Christ;
• it teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives, choosing to obey what God has commanded, being zealous in acts of temperance, acts of justice, and acts of zeal and devotion;
• grace gives is a word; No! The grace of God gives us courage and commitment to say No!
• there is a present age; a time for us between putting our faith in Christ and going to be with Him; during this time the Word of God is binding upon us. In general, this time is the existence of humanity on the earth, "this present evil age" (Gal 1.4).

v13: We look forward;

• the blessed hope that Jesus Christ will return, 2 Tim 4.8;
• His glorious appearing;
• Jesus Christ is both our God and our Saviour.

v14: He gave Himself for us;

• to redeem us; His initiative; to redeem us from and to;
• to redeem us from all wickedness;
• to redeem us to Himself, to purify a people for Himself;
• that we might be eager for good works, Eph 2.10. Put another way, we should be red-hot for good works, in contrast with the luke-warm Laodiceans (Rev 3. 16). Zeal consumed Jesus Christ - how can we be different! Jonathan Edwards says; ' All Christ’s people not only do good works, but are zealous for good works.' (Religious Affections)

v15: We have no option here, only a duty and responsibility to proclaim these truths. We have Christ's command and His authority, whatever others may say and think. Titus would face opposition, as he proclaimed these truths, and encouraged and challenged God's people to godly living; Paul therefore encouraged him to press on with what he had been called to do.