B. Designed to Redeem and Purify (2:11-15)

Sound doctrine is simply and clearly defined in these vv.11-14. Has appeared is a reference to the ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ. To all men is the universal appeal of the Good News (see also 1Ti 2:4). This means that God’s grace in Christ is available for everyone and that it has appeared. John Wesley called this prevenient grace, which enables people to respond to God. This grace impacts our present lifestyle (v.12). We desire to live godly lives because we await the return of Jesus Christ—this is the blessed hope (v.13). V.14 reinforces v.12 by affirming the purpose of Christ’s ministry. Redeem means to buy back, to free from the bondage of sin. Purify means to cleanse, to free from impurity. Sound doctrine teaches redemption and purification.

Since all that Paul has presented in 2:2-14 is sound doctrine, he now gives Titus a threefold command to teach, encourage, and rebuke with all authority. To encourage and rebuke are tasks of an elder (1:9). By doing these things, Titus will prevent others from disregarding or overlooking him. (Either translation is preferable to niv despise.) Thus, if they fail to act soundly on Titus’s teaching, they bear the responsibility and consequences.