Word studies in Titus 2:7-8
 
“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
“sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:7-8).
 
In this passage, Paul has turned his attention to this young preacher himself, emphasizing first the example the young man is to show in his own life but then giving four descriptors of the nature of the teaching he is to do.
 
The fourth descriptor is in the thought for today: Titus is to use “sound speech” in his teaching, that is, speech that is based so solidly on truth that it cannot be controverted even by the most ardent enemies of the Lord.
 
This teaching screams so loudly into the twenty-first century and into the self-assuming tone of religious teaching today that it bears our most serious consideration.
 
No teacher should ever assume the role of the Lord by rationalizing about the Lord’s words and making it appear that they teach any more or any less than they actually do. That would be the epitome of presumption.

Word studies in Titus 2:7-8
 
“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
“sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:7-8).
 
After instructing Titus about keeping his own life free of sinful and even questionable activities, Paul gets specific about the teaching the young preacher is to do. “Doctrine” means “teaching.”
 
“Integrity” means “uncorruptness,” that is, Titus’ teaching must be pure and absolute truth—it must not be tainted by even a hint of false doctrine. False doctrine would be a doctrine that does not come by divine authority; rather it comes from man’s ideas.

“Reverence” communicates the idea of “gravity or seriousness,” and “incorruptibility” refers to “sincerity.” In other words, Titus’ teaching must be characterized by content that is pure, an attitude that is respectful, and a sincerity that shows how deeply he is dedicated to truth. 

Word studies on Titus 2:7-8
 
“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
“sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:7-8).
 
As Paul writes this most practical exhortation, as a father would instruct his son, he emphasizes to this young preacher that this instruction applies to every part of his life. The apostle is really telling him that the instruction he has already given about older people is, for the most part, applicable to everyone, including Titus himself.
 
If Titus wants to be effective in setting the church in order and in all of his evangelistic efforts, he must practice what he preaches by being “a pattern of good works.”  The word “pattern” means “ensample or model.”
 
The expression “good works” refers to actions that are “ethically good, right, noble, honorable.” Thus, works that are good are those that follow the moral and spiritual guidelines laid out in the New Testament. Everyone who has a desire to please God must live this kind of life.

“The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22).
 
Looking forward to the coming of the Promised One, David prophesies here about Jesus who would come as a solid spiritual Rock for the benefit of all humanity, both those who lived before the cross and those who lived afterward.
 
When Jesus came, the Jews rejected both Him and His message of salvation for all people, both Jews and Gentiles. The rulers and the ordinary Jews were the builders in this figure, and the chief cornerstone, of course, is Jesus Christ.
 
In spite of the Jews’ rejection of Jesus, He came to the earth and fulfilled the mission to which God had commissioned Him: He came as the Savior of all people—that is, the chief cornerstone of Christianity. Both then and now, those who reject Jesus will be rejected by the Father in judgment.