Matthew Henry Commentary Titus 2:11-15

"For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee." — Titus 2:11-15 (ASV)

The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel is for people of all ranks and conditions. It teaches us to forsake sin and to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual way of life does not suit a heavenly calling. It teaches us to be conscientious about what is good. We must look to God in Christ as the object of our hope and worship.

A gospel way of life must be a godly way of life. Our duty is seen in very few words: denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly. We must do this despite all snares, temptations, corrupt examples, mistreatment, what remains of sin in the believer's heart, and all their hindrances. It teaches us to look for the glories of another world. At and in the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete: to bring us to holiness and happiness was the purpose of Christ's death.

Jesus Christ, that great God and our Savior, who saves not only as God (and still less as Man alone) but as God-man—two natures in one person. He loved us and gave Himself for us; and what less can we do than love and give ourselves up to Him! Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a people peculiar to God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit.

All Scripture is profitable. It is what will equip us for all parts of duty and for their proper discharge. Let us inquire whether our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. And the further we are removed from boasting of imagined good works or trusting in them (so that we glory in Christ alone), the more zealous we shall be to abound in real good works.