Titus 2:11-15 (NKJV) 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
V11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men…” The Greek word “appeared” is (G2014) ἐπιφαίνω epiphaínō, which means something that appears or becomes visible. The power of God the Gospel became visible , the appearance of Jesus, etc. Here, I believe, it refers to both the Lord Jesus (the Gospel giver) and the Gospel itself. It promotes clearly that it is faith (believing) that saves (John 3:14-16 and Romans 4:1-5). Compare same Greek word in Luke 1:79 and Titus 3:4. See also Psalm 98:2 and Isaiah 52:10. The Greek word for “men” is (G444) ἄνθρωπος ánthrōpos, which means men but is not specific to gender, thus, it is usually translated as people or persons. When the Scriptures use the word “all,” it depends on context. The context here is a general statement meaning all people, not a special or particular group. All persons have opportunity to believe in the Lord Jesus alone and be saved from God’s wrath.
V12 “…teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…” “Us” refers to believers. What does God’s grace teach us Christians? We are to deny some things and adhere to some things. The Greek word for “deny” is (G720) ἀρνέομαι arnéomai, which means refuse and reject. This is rejection of thinking, speaking, or doing things that are ungodly (things God hates) and worldly lusts (fleshly and mental desires that are beyond the boundaries that God has established). The things we must embrace in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds are living with a sound mind that shows moderation, things that are godly (correct and God pleasing). This present age for the church is the time from Pentecost to the Rapture. These are not suggestions but something that the King of all kings commands us.
V13 “…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” The blessed hope is the Rapture. Hope is expectation, not a wish. Since Paul is addressing Christians, it is most reasonable that this is the Rapture. Waiting for the Rapture is motivation plus for we want to be ready. As we await His return for us let us live serving God and not being slothful in anything.
Blessed hope and glorious appearing is one event. Wuest writes on this verse: “The A.V. makes “that blessed hope” and “the glorious appearing” to be two different things, whereas the Greek text requires that they be construed as one. We have Granville Sharp’s rule here, which says that when there are two nouns in the same case connected by kai (and), the first noun having the article, the second noun not having the article, the second noun refers to the same thing the first noun does and is a further description of it. Thus, that blessed hope is the glorious appearing of our Lord. The translation should read, “that blessed hope, even the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
(John F. Walvoord, Every Prophecy in the Bible-Apple Books) writing on Titus 2:13: “This hope, obviously, related to the rapture of the church rather than the second coming of Christ to set up His kingdom, but the question has been raised as to why it is described as a “glorious appearing.” At his second coming Jesus will appear in a glorious event described in Revelation 19:11–16, an event that all the world will see (1:7). On the other hand, the rapture of the church is never described as visible to the world. The question therefore remains: How can the rapture be described as a glorious event, as an event that reveals the glory of God? The answer is quite simple.”
“While the world will not see the glory of Christ at the time of the rapture, as they will at the time of the second coming, at the rapture Christians will behold Him in His glory, and to them it will be a glorious appearing. As stated in 1 John 3:2, “What we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
Christians will necessarily need to be changed into bodies that are sinless in order to behold the Lord in His holy glory. The fact that we will “see him as he is,” that is, His glorious person, is evidence in John that the Christians will have been transformed, which will make it possible for them to see Him in His glory. The expectation of seeing Christ” “as He is in glory is another reason to turn away from the glory of this world and live Christian lives before God while we are waiting for His coming.”
Our Great God and Savior
Wuest writes: “The same rule applies to the words, “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Both expressions refer to the same individual.” We could translate this as “the great God even our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Jesus is God! Compare 2 Peter 1:1. What joy we will have when Jesus comes for we will have our physical resurrection and to be gathered together for eternity. Jesus promised it so in John 14:1-4.
V14 “…who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” The idea of “gave” is voluntary action. Compare Isaiah 9:6. His purpose? to redeem us from our sins and the wrath of God. The Greek word for “redeem” is (G3084) λυτρόω lytróō, which means “to release on receipt of ransom” and “to deliver: from evils of every kind, internal and external” (Thayer). We are in slavery to sin (John 4:34 and 2 Peter 2:19). Also see, Romans 6:16, Romans 7:14, and Romans 7:23-25. When we place our faith in Jesus was are no longer slaves of sin but slaves for righteousness (John 8:34-36 and Romans 6:18). When Jesus died, we died with Him (Romans 6:6-11) and are no longer a slave to sin. Romans 7:4 (EHV) “In the same way, my brothers, you also were put to death in regard to the law by the body of Christ, so that you may be joined to another, to the one who was raised from the dead, in order that we might produce fruit for God.”
One of the purposes for redemption is from something (lawlessness) and to something (purity and doing deeds and actions pleasing to God).
V15 “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Titus is encouraged to talk about, admonish, and teach these things.