Titus 2:12

“Teaching us, etc.] Not all men, to whom the Gospel appears in its outward ministry; for there are many who externally receive the Gospel, and profess it, who are never influentially taught by it to deny sin, or love holiness of life; they profess in words to know it, but in works deny it; they have a form of godliness, but deny its power: but the persons effectually taught by the Gospel are the “us”, to whom it was come, not in word only, but in power; and so taught them, not only doctrinally, but with efficacy, both negative and positive holiness, as follows: that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; all impiety, or sin more immediately against God; or which is a violation of the first…”

“Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is opposed to God (Tit 1:12, Tit 1:16; Co1 1:20; Co1 3:18-19): in the coming world we may gratify every desire without need of self-discipline,…”

“Teaching us - That is, the “grace of God” so teaches us; or that system of religion which is a manifestation of the grace of God, inculcates the great and important duties which Paul proceeds to state. That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts - “That by denying ourselves of these, or refusing to practice them, we should lead a holy life.” The word ungodliness here means all that would be included under the word impiety; that is, all failure in the performance of our proper duties towards God; see the notes at Romans 1:18. The phrase “worldly lusts” refers to all improper desires pertaining to this life - the desire of wealth, pleasure, honor, sensual indulgence. It refers to such passions…”

“Instructing us - All who do not reject it. That, having renounced ungodliness - Whatever is contrary to the fear and love of God. And worldly desires - Which are opposite to sobriety and righteousness. We should live soberly - In all purity and holiness. Sobriety, in the scripture sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections. And righteously - Doing to all as we would…”

“2:12 we are instructed: The emphasis of this instruction falls on the positive virtues: wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. In Greco-Roman writings, these three virtues represent virtuous conduct in general. These virtues counter the Cretan vices listed in 1:12 and are transformed into thoroughly Christian qualities (see 2:13). • Paul exhorts the Cretans to bring these virtues to life, in order to make plain to their compatriots that a virtuous life derives only from God’s grace in Jesus Christ.”

“Teaching: Mat 28:20; Joh 6:25; Th1 4:9; Heb 8:11; Jo1 2:27 denying: Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Eze 18:30, Eze 18:31, Eze 33:14, Eze 33:15; Mat 3:8-10, Mat 16:24; Luk 1:75; Rom 6:4-6, Rom 6:12, Rom 6:19, Rom 8:13, Rom 13:12, Rom 13:13; Co1 6:9-11; Co2 7:1; Gal 5:24; Eph 1:4, Eph 4:22-25; Col 1:22, Col 3:5-9; Th1 4:7; Jam 4:8-10; Pe1 2:11, Pe1 2:12, Pe1 4:2-5; Pe2 1:4, Pe2 2:20-22; Jo1 2:15-17; Jde 1:18 live: Psa 105:45; Eze 36:27; Mat 5:19, Mat 5:20; Luk 1:6, Luk 1:75, Luk 3:9-13; Act 24:16, Act 24:25; Rom 6:19; Ti1 4:12; Pe1 1:14-18; Pe2 1:5-8, Pe2 3:11; Jo1 2:6; Rev 14:12 soberly: Tit 2:4 godly: Psa 4:3; Co2 1:12; Pe2 2:9 this: Joh 14:30, Joh 17:14, Joh 17:15; Rom 12:2; Gal 1:4; Eph 2:2; Ti2 4:10;…”