_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Titus 3:1. PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS.—The two words stand thus together to give fuller expression to the notion of authority. TO OBEY MAGISTRATES.—R.V. “to be obedient.” Titus 3:2. TO BE NO BRAWLERS.—R.V. “not to be contentious.” As in 1 Timothy 3:3. GENTLE.—Such a... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Titus 3:4. AFTER THAT THE KINDNESS.—The original word (χρηστότης) is a beautiful word for a beautiful grace, pervading and penetrating the whole nature, mellowing there what would have been harsh and austere. Christ’s yoke is said to be easy (χρηστός), _i.e._ it has... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Titus 3:8. AFFIRM CONSTANTLY.—R.V. “confidently.” Not like a man who is only half convinced of the truth of what he states, nor like a man who is ashamed of what he says, though he may acknowledge its truthfulness. MIGHT BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS.—To be inte... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Titus 3:9. AVOID.—As in 2 Timothy 2:16. “The meaning seems to come from a number of persons falling back from an object of fear or loathing and standing at a distance round it” (_Alford_). Titus 3:10. A MAN THAT IS AN HERETICK.—R.V. “heretical”; margin, “factious.”... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Titus 3:13. ZENAS THE LAWYER.—Otherwise unknown. Either a Jew learned in the Scriptures, or a _juris consultus_. Perhaps the “lawyer” may show what he was before conversion, like Matthew “the publican.” Titus 3:14. LET OURS ALSO.—R.V. “our people.” GOOD WORKS.—Not... [ Continue Reading ]