Section 2:1-15
Paul told Titus what he should teach about Christian behavior

In this section, Paul explained the behavior that Titus should encourage in various groups of believers. He did not want anyone to say bad things about the word of God based on the behavior of Christians. He also encouraged Titus to let his own behavior be a good example for others. The reason to act in these ways is because the grace of God has appeared to us all, teaching us how to act while we wait for Jesus’ return.

Paragraph 2:1-5

2:1

But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here indicates contrast. In 1:10-16 Paul had written about the behavior of the false teachers. Here Paul began to instruct Titus on how he should teach. He should teach differently from the false teachers.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse:

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
For your part, what you say must be in keeping with sound doctrine. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine. (Good News Bible)

But as for you: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you is singular and refers to Titus. In Greek the presence of a separate pronoun like this usually expressed emphasis. Consider how you might translate this to show emphasis. Since this is the start of a new chapter and section it might be helpful to include Titus’ name.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

But you (New Century Version)

or

As for you, Titus (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

speak: In Greek this is a command in the present tense. It indicates that Titus should continue to speak or communicate in a certain way. Because this verb is followed by instructions for how other people should behave, several English versions translate it as “teach.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

teach (New International Version (2011 Revision))

or

tell (God’s Word)
-or-
communicate (NET Bible)

the things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the things is an indefinite word that here refers in general to teachings about the behaviors Paul wanted Titus to encourage.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

the teachings

or

those matters

that are consistent with: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are consistent with means “agrees with” or “are in accord with.” Titus’ teachings should not be just his own ideas but should be consistent with true doctrine, the doctrine that Paul had taught him.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

agrees with (Good News Bible)

or

is in accord with (New International Version (2011 Revision))

sound doctrine: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sound means “healthy, wholesome.” Here it is used figuratively to describe a body of teaching that is true or correct. This kind of teaching is spiritually health-giving. It helps believers to be strong in their faith and to behave in a way that is consistent with their faith.

The same Greek phrase translated here as sound doctrine occurs also in 1:9 where the Berean Standard Bible translated it as “sound teaching.” Try to translate it the same way in both places.

doctrine: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as doctrine is more literally “teaching/instruction.” Here it refers to the true teaching about Jesus.

© 2000 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.