In Titus 2:1, Paul commands: “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.” Many would say, “Amen!” – but look at what the next verses tell us this “sound doctrine” is composed of:
— older men to be temperate, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance (:2)
— older women: reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips … encouraging young women to be husband-lovers and children-lovers, workers at home … (:3-4)
— young men to be sensible, examples of good deeds, etc. (:6-7)
— bondslaves – subject to their masters, not argumentative, not pilfering, etc. (:9-10)

MOST of the things Paul addresses under the category of “sound doctrine” here have nothing to do with what WE would consider “doctrine”: theories of the atonement, predestination, or the nature of the Trinity.

Rather the “sound doctrine” he is referring to is teaching about the way people are to LIVE as husbands and wives; how they are to work, and relate to one another and the world. While these verses do not indicate that we need to abandon the “other” kind of doctrine, we are certainly very needful of having the kind of “sound doctrine” that Paul refers to here, to be taught all across our nation today!