John Calvin Commentary Titus 2:1

"But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:" — Titus 2:1 (ASV)

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. He points out the remedy for driving away fables: namely, that Titus should devote himself to edification. He gives the designation of sound doctrine to that which may instruct people to godliness, for all trifles vanish when that which is solid is taught.

When he instructs him to speak those things which agree with sound doctrine, it is as if he had said that Titus must be continually employed in this preaching, for to mention these things once or twice would not be enough. Paul does not speak of the discourse of a single day; but as long as Titus holds the office of pastor, he wishes him to be employed in teaching this doctrine.

Sound doctrine is so called from the effect it produces; as, on the contrary, he says that unskillful people are foolishly absorbed with questions that do no good. Sound, therefore, means wholesome—that which actually feeds souls. Thus, by a single word, as by a solemn proclamation, he banishes from the Church all speculations that serve to promote ostentation rather than to aid godliness, as he did in both of the Epistles to Timothy.

He makes sound doctrine to consist of two parts. The first is that which magnifies the grace of God in Christ, from which we may learn where we should seek our salvation. The second is that by which life is conformed to the fear of God and to inoffensive conduct.

Although the former, which includes faith, is far more excellent and therefore should be more zealously inculcated, yet Paul, in writing to Timothy, was not careful about attending to order. For he had to deal with an intelligent man, to whom he would offer an insult if he dictated to him word by word, as is usually done with apprentices or beginners.

In addressing Titus, indeed, he instructs the whole church of Crete; yet he attends to the rules of propriety, so that he may not appear to distrust Titus's prudence. Besides, the reason he is more lengthy in his exhortations is that those who gave their whole attention to idle questions especially needed to be exhorted to the practice of a good and holy life; for nothing is better suited to restrain the wandering curiosity of people than to know in what duties they should be engaged.