Titus 2:15

¹⁵These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Paul says to encourage (speaking of v2-10) and to rebuke (speaking of v10-16 of chapter 1). Calvin says, “[Paul] makes ‘sound doctrine’ to consist of two parts. The first is that which magnifies the grace of God in Christ, from which we may learn where we ought to seek our salvation; and the second is that by which the life is framed to the fear of God, and inoffensive conduct… the former, which includes faith, is far more excellent, and therefore ought to be more zealously inculcated.”

So to summarize this chapter, Paul tells Titus that he must teach sound doctrine. He must “dwell continually on that doctrine of edification, and never to grow weary, because it cannot be too much inculcated” (Calvin). It is through sound doctrine that people learn how to live rightly in their sphere of influence, whether young or old, male or female, slave or master. Sound doctrine is the how; grace is the why, the motivation for right living. And grace does it all. Grace saves (justifies), transforms and teaches (sanctifies), brings hope (of glorification with Christ), and finally works (effectual for effectuality) in us that we might do the work of God, “faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). Titus is to teach sound doctrine with authority, the doctrines of grace applied to the lives of the Cretan congregations, without letting anyone despise him (This last sentence is likely written as an admonishment for the Cretan readers, not for Titus himself, confirming, as in several other places, that this letter was written to all of the Christians in Crete and not to Titus alone.)

Paul says, “Titus, teach people that if they really understand grace, they will be the most zealous, willingly committed, faithful, Bible-believing, Bible-obeying Christians, because grace trains us and teaches us to deny ungodliness and to live sensibly and righteously and godly in this present evil age.” Titus is not to teach all of this because it sounds good to him. He’s not the authority behind all of this instruction. Neither is Paul. God is the authority through His word and His people. The prophets in the Old Testament spoke the word of God on His authority, not their own. This is what the Lord says. And all the people said, “Amen.”