Albert Barnes Commentary Titus 2:12

"instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;" — Titus 2:12 (ASV)

Teaching us. This means that the "grace of God" thus teaches us; or, that system of religion which is a manifestation of the grace of God inculcates the great and important duties which Paul proceeds to state.

That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. This means "that by denying ourselves these things, or refusing to practice them, we should lead a holy life." The word ungodliness here means all that would be included under the word impiety; that is, all failure in performing our proper duties toward God (see the comments on Romans 1:18).

The phrase "worldly lusts" refers to all improper desires pertaining to this life—the desire of wealth, pleasure, honor, and sensual indulgence. It refers to such passions as the people of this world are prone to, and it would include all those things that cannot be indulged in with a proper reference to the world to come. The gross passions would, of course, be included, and also all those more refined pleasures that constitute the characteristic and peculiar enjoyments of those who do not live for God.

We should live soberly. See the word soberly (swfronwv) explained (see the comments on Titus 2:2 and Titus 2:4).

It means that we should exercise proper restraint on our passions and propensities.

Righteously. This means justly. It refers to the proper performance of our duties to our fellow human beings.

Religion teaches us to perform these duties with fidelity in all our relations in life. This includes our promises and contracts, our interactions with fellow citizens and neighbors, our conduct toward the poor, needy, ignorant, and oppressed, and our response to all those providentially placed in our way who need our kind actions.

Justice toward them would lead us to act as we would wish them to act toward us.

And godly. This means piously; that is, in the faithful performance of our duties to God. We have here, then, an epitome of all that religion requires:

1. Our duty to ourselves—included in the word "soberly," and requiring proper control over our evil propensities and passions;
2. Our duty to our fellow human beings in all the relations we have in life; and
3. Our duty to God—demonstrated in what will be properly regarded as a pious life.

The one who does these things meets all the responsibilities of their condition and relations. The Christian system, by requiring the faithful performance of these duties, shows how admirably it is adapted to humankind.

In this present world. That is, as long as we continue in it. These are the duties we owe in the present life.