Lessons for Ministers
Titus 2:1
But speak you the things which become sound doctrine:


I. NO CHRISTIAN MINISTER NOR MAN MUST BE SO SHAKEN AT THE UNGODLY COURSES OF OTHERS IN THEIR RANK as that they either give over or give back from their uprightness in their duties, for Titus, although he might seem to be cried down by the general voice of false and pompous teachers, yet must he not be silent; and though he might be troubled and opposed, yet must he not be timorous or sluggish; and though his doctrine was not received nor obeyed, yet he must not be weary of tendering and teaching it; yea, be it that the world would rather applaud mockers and time servers, yet must not he discontentedly with Jonas turn another way, but look unto his own duty in serving God, his Church, and men's salvations. Let others stand or fall to their own masters, it is safe for every man so to lay his counters as that his Master may find him doing, yea, well-doing.

II. THE SCOPE OF EVERY MINISTER IN HIS TEACHING MUST BE TO FEED THE PEOPLE OF GOD WITH WHOLESOME DOCTRINE, such as may bring the souls of men to health and soundness. For —

1. If the common talk of Christians must be edifying, ministering grace, bring sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones; if it be required of every righteous man that his lips should feed many, nay, more, if the law of grace must sit under the lips of every virtuous woman, much more must the minister's, whose office in peculiar bindeth him to be a pastor or feeder, and that according to God's own heart, he having for this purpose received his calling, gifts, and approbation of God.

2. Otherwise he perverteth the whole course of his life and calling, and is no better than those false apostles who, turning themselves from sound teaching to unfruitful discourses, called vain jangling, are said to rove and err from the right aim, like unskilful darters or shooters.

(T. Taylor, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

WEB: But say the things which fit sound doctrine,




Lessons for Hearers
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