With Divine Authority (2/22/2026)

Third in a series of studies of Titus 2:11-15

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age (Titus 2:11-12).

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 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” (Titus 2:13-14).

“Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you” (Titus 2:15).

Rounding out his instruction to Titus, the Apostle Paul gives three important directives to this young preacher about what he is to do with “these things”: “speak,…exhort, and rebuke.” 

What could be more obvious than to tell an evangelist to “speak”? Teaching the word is the essence of his responsibility. Paul has already identified what Titus is to teach in verse one of this chapter: it is “the things that are proper for sound doctrine.”

“Exhort(ing)” fellow Christians includes encouraging them in the pursuit of the doctrine of the church, the worship of the saints, and the moral purity of all Christians who are serious about making Heaven their eternal home.

In some cases, Paul says, it may be necessary to “rebuke” those who either refuse to follow the teaching or choose to ignore it. This command to rebuke emphasizes the importance of taking seriously the teaching in God’s word: to ignore it displeases God and will cause one to lose his soul.

Titus is to teach with such confidence that his hearers understand he is speaking with divine authority and that they have no doubt about the necessity of their obeying his words.