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Christmas Season · Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Midnight · Year B

Titus 2:11-14

What Must Be Taught to Various Groups

December 25, 2026

Law and Grace (Gesetz und Gnade), Lucas Cranach the Elder
Law and Grace (Gesetz und Gnade), Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1529Herzogliches Museum, Gotha
Cranach's diagram of Lutheran theology, painted several times and copied endlessly: a tree bare on one side and green on the other, with Moses and the law to the left and the cross to the right.It is the argument of these readings set out as a picture, which is what it was made for.Lucas Cranach the ElderCourt painter in Wittenberg (1472-1553), Luther's friend and the printer of his movement's images, which made him the visual voice of the Reformation.Herzogliches Museum, GothaThe ducal collection of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, housed in a purpose-built museum of 1879 and particularly rich in Cranach.Herzogliches Museum, Gotha
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:1-14Lk 2:1-14
Second ReadingTitus 2:11-14Ti 2:11-14
First ReadingIsa. 9:1-6Is 9:1-6
Responsorial PsalmPs. 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 (Luke 2:11)Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 (Lk 2:11)

Overview & Insights

“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” (Titus 2:11)

Although this section has affinities to several passages in both the PE and the rest of the NT, the material nonetheless appears here in a unique way. It picks up the framework of 1 Timothy 5:1–2, where people are grouped by age and sex, and in verses 2–8 fleshes out some details, not in terms of Titus’ relationship to them but of their own attitudes and conduct. The language of the details echoes that used for the overseers, deacons, and women in 1 Timothy 3:1–13 and 2:9–15. The passage then concludes in verses 9–10 with a word to slaves, reminiscent of 1 Timothy 6:1–2. Imbedded in the instructions for the younger men is a word to Titus himself (vv. 7–8), reminiscent of 1 Timothy 4:12–13.

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Commentary

Commentary on Titus 2:11-14Commentary on Ti 2:11-14 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reading of grace appearing to all, the Christmas message in one sentence.

Titus 2:11-14 CommentaryTi 2:11-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on grace training us to live self-controlled and godly lives.

Titus 2 Commentary: Teach Them How to LiveTi 2 Commentary: Teach Them How to Live Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse notes on the appearing of grace and our blessed hope.

Titus 2:11 CommentariesTi 2:11 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators compiled on the grace of God that brings salvation to all.

Background & Word Study

Titus 2:11 InterlinearTi 2:11 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text of the grace passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.

Book of Titus SummaryBook of Ti Summary BibleProject

Animated overview of the structure and message of Titus.

The Church Fathers

Titus 2 - Catena Bible & CommentariesTi 2 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comments on the appearing of grace in Titus 2.

Questions preachers ask

How does Titus 2 fit Christmas?

Grace has appeared in Christ and trains us to live godly lives while we await the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

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