Titus 2:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

NIV: who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

NASB: who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds.

CSB: He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.

NLT: He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

KJV: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

NKJV: who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

This verse continues to comment on the work of Jesus Christ, referring to Him as the One who sacrificed Himself on our behalf. This is a reference to the death Jesus on the cross, offering His life as a sacrifice for sin. The purpose of His sacrifice was in two parts, according to this verse. The first is to rescue believers from sin or lawlessness.

Second, the death of Jesus is able to cleanse—or purify—meaning to free from sin and its consequences. We are cleansed "for Himself," to serve God, not merely for personal fulfillment or improvement. Believers are "a people" or kingdom "for His own possession." As children of God, we are both family and citizens of a new kingdom. Because we have been freed from sin and its power, we have a zeal or passion to do good works. This reflects Ephesians 2:8–9, which speaks of salvation being by grace through faith apart from works. Ephesians 2:10 also states that we are created, by Jesus, for good works.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 1:39:34 PM