Fathers

Titus 2

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Titus 2:15

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Ver. 15. "These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority." "These things speak and exhort." Do you see how he charges Timothy? "Reprove, rebuke, exhort." But here, "Rebuke with all authority." For the manners of this people were more stubborn, wherefore he orders them to be rebuked more roughly, and with all authority. For there are some sins, which ought to be prevented by command. We may with persuasion advise men to despise riches, to be meek, and the like. …

Homily on Titus 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

First "speak and exhort," that is, teach with gentler speech; and then "rebuke," and not simply, but "with all authority," that is, insistently and authoritatively. Since they were rough, he brings forth severity against them. There are vices that do not need severity, but only exhortation and persuasion, such as completely despising money. But there are also those that need severity, such as adultery, theft, robbery, and sorcery. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Oecumenius

Speak these things and urged, and reproved with all authority. Let no one despise you. with all authority. That is, with harshness. For since the characters of these men were harsher, therefore they say that they are rebuked sharply. Let no one despise you, that is, let no one look down on you. Do you see how the bishop is to be both powerful and authoritative?

Commentary On Titus ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Speak these things, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. He has set out three things: speak, exhort, and rebuke. And indeed, in what he says, "speak," it seems to refer to teaching. But what he introduced, "exhort," that is, παρακάλει, means something else in Greek than in Latin: for παράκλησις sounds more like comfort than exhortation. This word was also spoken of earlier concerning young people: Likewise, comfort the young, be modest in everything. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then, he urges him to preach grace. In regard to this he does two things: first, he exhorts him to preach; second, he describes the way he should preach. He says, therefore: speak what is to be believed, and exhort what is to be done: for our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with guile (1 Thess 2:3). Rebuke those who do evil: as for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all (1 Tim 5:20). …

Commentary on Titus ↗