Titus 2:15

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

These things {G5023} speak {G2980}, and {G2532} exhort {G3870}, and {G2532} rebuke {G1651} with {G3326} all {G3956} authority {G2003}. Let {G4065} no man {G3367} despise {G4065} thee {G4675}.

These are the things you should say. Encourage and rebuke with full authority; don’t let anyone look down on you.

Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Titus 2:15 serves as a powerful concluding charge from the Apostle Paul to his young protégé, Titus, outlining the manner in which he is to deliver the preceding instructions on Christian conduct and sound doctrine in Crete.

Context

This verse follows a detailed exposition in Titus chapter 2, where Paul provides specific guidelines for various groups within the church: older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and servants. The overarching theme is the importance of living a life that adorns the doctrine of God our Saviour. Titus 2:15 then emphasizes the authority with which Titus, as a church leader, must teach, encourage, and correct, ensuring his message is taken seriously and his leadership respected.

Key Themes

  • Pastoral Authority: Paul instructs Titus to exercise his leadership role with divine backing. The phrase "with all authority" (Greek: epitage) implies a divine command or injunction, not merely personal opinion. This authority comes from the message itself, which is God's Word, and from Titus's apostolic commission.
  • Comprehensive Teaching Ministry: The three verbs "speak, and exhort, and rebuke" encapsulate the full scope of a pastor's duty.
    • Speak: To declare the truth clearly and publicly.
    • Exhort: To encourage, comfort, and urge believers towards godly living. This aspect highlights the positive and uplifting side of ministry.
    • Rebuke: To correct, admonish, and confront sin or error. This requires courage and a commitment to maintaining the purity of the church.
  • Earning Respect: The admonition "Let no man despise thee" is crucial. Titus's youth (similar to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12) or the challenging environment in Crete might have led some to disregard him. Paul implies that by faithfully and boldly delivering God's truth, Titus would earn the respect due to his office and message, despite any personal characteristics.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "authority" here, epitage, signifies a divine command or injunction, emphasizing that Titus's instructions were not his own but carried the weight of God's directive. This term highlights the seriousness and non-negotiable nature of the truth he was to proclaim. The combination of "speak, exhort, and rebuke" (laleo, parakaleo, elegcho) covers the entire spectrum of pastoral communication—from clear proclamation to gentle encouragement and firm correction.

Practical Application

For believers and leaders today, Titus 2:15 underscores the importance of teaching God's Word with conviction and integrity. Those in positions of spiritual leadership are called to deliver the truth of the Gospel completely—not just the comforting parts, but also the challenging and corrective aspects. This verse reminds us that true authority in ministry flows from faithfulness to God's Word and a life consistent with its teachings. By living out the sound doctrine they proclaim, leaders can earn the respect necessary for their ministry to be effective, ensuring that the message, not merely the messenger, is honored.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Timothy 4:2

    Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

  • 1 Timothy 4:12

    Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

  • 1 Timothy 4:13

    Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

  • Titus 1:13

    This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

  • Matthew 7:29

    For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.

  • 1 Timothy 5:20

    Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

  • Mark 1:22

    And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

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