Titus 2:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

NIV: These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

NASB: These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. No one is to disregard you.

CSB: Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

NLT: You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.

KJV: These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

NKJV: Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

The final verse of chapter 2 begins with a general command to "declare," or "teach," certain things. The ideas Paul has in mind are the ones he has given about various groups within the church (Titus 2:1–10), as well as his teachings on salvation and Christian living (Titus 2:11–14).

Titus was to "exhort," or "encourage." To exhort is to teach or urge, focusing on the positive aspects of teaching Christian truth. Exhortation was often used as another word for preaching. John the Baptist exhorted people when he preached the good news (Luke 3:18). Peter exhorted people when he preached at Pentecost (Acts 2:40). Exhortation is even called a spiritual gift in Romans 12:8.

To "rebuke," or "correct," focuses on the negative aspect of defending truth against false teachers, and speaking against sin. Titus had been commissioned by Paul for his leadership position, and was to follow Paul's commands "with all authority." Titus had been commanded by an apostle and was not to let false teachers—or his own insecurities—keep him from fulfilling his important calling to the people of Crete.

Titus 2:11–15 explains the grace of God as something which encourages believers toward right behavior and right thinking. The previous Scriptures gave instructions for proper behavior of church members. Here, God’s grace is shown as the foundation on which traits such as self-control, respect, and godliness are built. Paul also commands Titus to teach these ideas boldly, and with authority.

Titus chapter 2 details instructions for various groups within the church. These include older men, older women, younger men, and younger women. Paul commands Titus to encourage these positive behaviors, and to correct anything which contradicts his teachings. Titus is also told to be bold, and authoritative, in his work.

Chapter 2 forms a bridge in the middle of Paul’s letter to Titus. Chapter 1 focused on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Chapter 2 explains the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 will focus on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.