Written by Paul J Bucknell on August, 11, 2020

Titus 2:11-15 The Power of Salvation

Titus 2:11-15

“11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus 2:11-15)

The centrality of the Gospel in the hearts and minds of God’s people remain to be one of the greatest challenges to the Christian. This is true for those people in Crete to whom Titus was responsible, as well as to our generation, which faces all sorts of anomalies. One of the main reasons to attend church, be part of a local group of believers of biblical beliefs, is to constantly reset your hearts and minds to the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The salvation message, with its centrality in the gospel of Jesus Christ, clarify where we are in our lives, helping know how to make wise and godly decisions.

In these short five verses, Paul brings many thoughts to the forefront of our minds. I’d like to suggest a simple redemptive context that brings these the powerful teachings of God’s grace, even the Gospel. This Gospel’s message radiates with three phrases found throughout Titus:
The salvation message, in many ways, provides the redemptive context or directions on how to proceed in our lives.

Forgiven through Christ
Restored with the Father
Empowered by the Spirit

The word salvation plays a key role in this Book of Titus as well as this section of verses. But for us to understand the power of salvation, we must understand the word “lost” to describe what we are saved from.

The Danger of Lostness

Lostness is the inability to discern direction and, therefore, the helplessness to make the best decisions possible, often leading to our peril. This plague, for example, has drastically increased people’s isolation and loneliness around the world. This has near-disastrous effects on the church of God. Recent Barna reports (summer 2020) show that only about 40% of Christians are attending virtual experiences of worship (for most, church meetings are not happening). That means the majority of believers are struggling with isolation, not quite able to strengthen their faith.

This passage, 2:11-15, helps affirm how the centrality of salvation (i.e., gospel message) helps us regain our bearings. It is, for this reason, Hebrews 10:25 points to the import of gathering together.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

As the truths of God’s grace remain close to the hearts of the believer, he or she will grow strong. Without these truths, they will perilously fall away from the truth of God.

Paul provides clarity for Titus regarding the centrality of the Gospel and the reason for training godly Christian leaders. Crete had numerous troubled churches, just as many of the world’s churches now face weak Christian leadership and culturally low morals. Many are not meeting for months at a time. Many Christians are dangerously drifting about.

To the degree the truths of God’s grace remain close to the heart and mind of the believer, he or she will grow strong as a believer. Or, if the importance of these truths begins to wane, lessen, and become otherwise lost in the myriad troubles and pursuits of the world, the Christian will become weak and crumble at his or her life.

One of the main reasons to attend church, be part of a local group of believers of biblical beliefs, is to constantly reset your hearts and minds to the greater work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Satan implores all sorts of means to dull our affections towards God and strips the Lord of His majestic might and love.

We wonder if this is the age of antichrist who keeps the church from assembling together. Remember, the church, at its essence, is defined from her meeting together in God’s presence. Ecclesia, the Greek word for church) means gathering together. The same is true for the Hebrew word.

We will follow three major points as we further discuss these verses.

1. Salvation’s Holy Call (Titus 2:11-12)

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).

Notice how God’s grace appeared. His kindness was not just a notion or a whim but instigated, in the Lord’s perfect wisdom, a grand redemption plan that would actually occur in human history. “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…” (Gal 4:4).

The appearing of the grace of God is the incarnation of God’s kindness seen in the coming of Jesus Christ into the world and as John testifies, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). God’s demonstrated His magnificent grace by sending Christ into the world to effectively save His people.

By stating “to all men” Paul does not mean that all people are saved but that salvation reaches out to every nation and people, having no distinctions between genders, height, status, caste, or skin color. Nor does it exclude great sinners. Paul, formerly Saul, was one who persecuted Christians, but God had mercy on him and indeed on us all.

The power of salvation is seen in the way it transforms lives. The apostle mentions two aspects here: (1) Turn away from evil, and (2) Do good. By denying ungodliness it means do not participate in the path of sinners. We see through its empty calls and reject it for what it is. But as much as we reject the world, we are not to focus on what we turn away from but on where we are going: “to live sensibly, righteously and godly” lives. These constant reminders in Titus to live godly lives no doubt are inspired by seeing many Christians who have compromised their lives.

Understanding God’s Grace

Distortions of God’s grace arise in every generation creating odd religions, cults, and immorality. Many people made their money by acting as priests to their gods, thus offering greater intimacy with the idol if they would pay for sex. From the beginning of this epistle, Paul defined his purpose: “to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:1-2).

There are two large, ongoing distortions of grace found in the church. (1) Those who never dare whisper the word grace for fear that their people will go and sin. (2) There are also those who have those who boldly announce the magnanimity of God’s grace and use it to cover their ungodly lives, presuming upon God’s grace.

The first group tends to be legalistic and hides the awesome message of full pardon in Christ. The problem is that those who hide the message of God’s grace quickly forget it. They act as protectors of grace, but, in fact, they obliterate its meaning and power. They do not have Paul’s confidence in Christ, but more often than not, are caught up in self-righteousness, pride, and self-confidence.

The second group is equally in error by their misunderstanding of grace. This decadent mindset is what the first group fear. This group differs greatly from the first in that they misinterpret God’s intention of grace. They, one could say, cheapen grace so that it is no longer grace. They make God out to be an indulgent, pushover Father in Heaven.

Society, too, seems bent to go from one extreme of law to the other of indulgence. But Paul, here, carefully navigates between the two warped views. Can you guess where we are today? Yes, there is no law; they release criminals; don’t prosecute the guilty, and wildly spend money they don’t have. No accountability. Parents, on the other hand, waver between super strictness where love can’t be found and indulgent parenting produces a generation of undisciplined children.

Legalists, those depending on meeting God’s standards, don’t have room for grace; they don’t understand the purpose and power of grace. They think grace is weak compared to law. The lawless similarly miss the purpose and power of grace, thinking of it in a self-absorbent way, “My sins are forgiven. What does it matter if I sin?”

Paul, however, like a bright beacon of light, announces the purpose and power of grace. It brings the power of salvation—saving us both from the judgment and curse of sin. Satan does his best to confuse every Christian on these teachings, so it is good that we focus on these very issues here.

Our Wonderful Salvation

So the apostle describes the wonderful effects of salvation.

“11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-14 Nasb)

A salvation offer for all—You can’t say you are too good or bad to be saved! If salvation is open to all, then it should be preached to all. No racism here! God wants all in His kingdom (Rev 5:9). Paul sees no contradiction here with the earlier verses speaking about election (Titus 1:1). If the apostle doesn’t see any incongruities, neither should we be concerned about it.
This is the Gospel sequence that helps us get our bearings in this world.

This salvation removes us from sin’s guilt.
This salvation offers power for godly living.
This salvation waits for our blessed Savior’s glorious return.

Titus 2:11 announces that grace has appeared. The verb is in the past tense, and the work of Christ is completed. This historical event is marked by Christ’s coming into the world, rightly celebrated by Christmas. But the great redemptive transaction (discussed later in point two) was finished at the cross and resurrection of Christ. This is the indisputable gospel message that we can believe and proclaim.

Meanwhile, we now live in the present age. What largely marks our present time is our believing, following, and waiting for Christ. We live in light of eternity. Whatever happens in time is dwarfed by eternity in both duration and beauty. And so, seized by the coming age, we live godly lives, abstaining from evil.

The future age is shaped by the “appearing of the glory of our great God” (Titus 2:13). While the first appearing seems clouded by Christ’s suffering and the evil about Him, the second appearing is marked by His awesome glory.

Titus 2:13 is perhaps the clearest acknowledgment that Jesus Christ is “our great God.” There are many who are troubled with Christ’s deity, but it is powerfully taught here.

2. Believers’ Grand Hope (Titus 2:13-14)

“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:13-14)

Perhaps, it is best to describe the foundation of our hope through a detailed explanation of the word ‘redeem’ used in verse 14, “who gave himself to redeem us from all wickedness….”

(1) Redemption - the work on the cross where “Christ Jesus, who gave himself for us.” This redemption points us to the past work of Christ when He first appeared. The words “who gave himself for us” might first be taken as a generous kind and benevolent visit to earth, but it clearly refers to the substitutional atonement that took place when Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins.

We should ask, “Why Jesus died?” Jesus’ work was finished there on the cross and verified by His resurrection.

(2) To redeem - Applies the death of Christ to purchase us. Redeem means to pay back or, more simply, to purchase. There is an exchange that takes place. I like to use the illustration of when I was a young boy going to and fro from school where I would hunt for bottles so I could redeem them at the store. If I gave them the empty bottle, depending on the size, they would give me back a coin—a nickel, dime, or quarter for the large size. Likewise, Christ died in exchange for us, who had the death penalty hanging over our heads for our sins. “To redeem” speaks of the act of Christ buying us. That might sound strange, but it is at the heart of the meaning of redeem.

(3) The redeemed - Believers who belong to Christ. Verse 14 subtly links the purchase of our lives by stating, “to purify for himself a people that are his very own.” Perhaps, this word ‘redemption’ would more clearly highlight the purchase. When someone buys something, we ask, “What did you buy?” What did Jesus redeem by giving up Himself? It was us, His people. This is the sourced of our pardon in Christ and the reason Jesus is the only way to the Father. We became His by being taken from the evil dominion of Satan’s powers. We no longer need to live under the devil’s dark shadows of evil but live in light of Christ’s powerful salvation. We are His forever to live out good deeds. Verse 14, like verse 12, remarks how God purposes to remove us from the effects of evil even now in this present age.

3. The Church’s Responsibility (Titus 2:15)

“These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus 2:15)

A mandate to teach (not just opinion or interpretation)

We at once find these words in Titus 2:15 to be rather firm and absolute. Our age gives equal status to opinion. Everyone’s viewpoint is as valuable as another. But this totally counters what we have been considering above. Jesus appeared once, offering His life for us that we might be saved. This historical event happened once; our opinions are irrelevant to the fact. What we believe, however, about the Gospel and Christ, becomes a colossal issue with eternal ramifications.

Authoritative (state, persuade, rebuke)

“With all authority” the Apostle Paul charges Titus to “teach, encourage, and rebuke.” This authority is invested in the elders who are charged to care for God’s sheep. There are three parts to this. (1) Teach or state the truths of the gospel. (2) Encourage or persuade people to believe and obey the gospel. And (3) rebuke and reprove those who are rebelling against the gospel. The gospel, not the preacher or teacher, holds the final word. Some are easier to consistently carry out than others.

Leaders likewise need to be submissive to God’s Word

So leaders, likewise, must submit to the gospel. So regards to their beliefs or their lifestyle, all need to closely follow this redemptive message set out here.

Demands boldness

(“Let no one disregard you.”)

One must let this charge take hold of one’s person, no matter what one’s background or preference is. If al elder is a people-pleaser, then we can see that some aspects of maintaining good leadership are harder to do—they seem so harsh. But reproving does not, in fact, counter the message of God’s love. A clear Gospel message is best for all as it points to the amazing grace of God by avoiding commonplace distortions of it.

Conclusion
A church can only get strong when the individual believers get strong. So we must ask ourselves, are we only a spectator? Are we on the sidelines of following Christ or are we actual players of the game?

Our holy call demands that you take God’s truths of salvation and daily shape your beliefs to live out godly actions.
Our grand hope calls you to live in light of your hope for the glory of God and the full appearance of God’s grace. We are living in a very temporary, brief stage of life.
We are to take that God-given godly desire born by the Spirit within us (i.e., regeneration) to live itself out in your daily lives by rejecting the world and doing good. Be “eager to do what is good.”

We all are being tested in the way that we keep His Word and redemptive plan in front of us so that we can stay steady and on course. We need to keep God’s Word constantly on our hearts (“delights”) and minds (“meditates”).

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)

The three stages of a Christian with reference to the Gospel and appearing of Christ (Titus 2:11-13)

Bible Study Questions on Titus 2:11-15

Read through Titus 2:11-15 and note the two times the word “appearing” is used. What verses are they in and how are they differently used?
Describe the “grace of God.”
How did the grace of God first appear?
Read verses 11-12 closely and note the various things that happened due to God’s kindness and grace being revealed.
Observe the “past, present, future” chart by the author. What does each stage mean? Where are they found in this text?
How does a hope for the appearance of Christ’s glorious return influence the way we live out our lives during our times on earth?
How does Titus 2:13 so powerfully show the deity of Jesus Christ? What difference does it make if Jesus was God or just man?
What does the word “to redeem” mean? Give an example from real life where the word can be used? What does it mean here, in a spiritual sense? Why is it so important?
Are all opinions important? How does the truth of Christ’s work, the Gospel, more than opinion? Does it make a difference? Explain.
What do you believe about Christ? What difference does it make to you?
What does it mean that you are now bought with a price and now belong to Him?