Titus 1:4

to Titus, mine own son With R.V. render my true child, as in 1 Timothy 1:2, where the force of the phrase is drawn out. On the connexion of Titus with St Paul see Introduction, p. 67 sqq.

after the common faith The insertion of -the" implies -the faith common to the Church, to believers generally": as the words stand without an article, it is rather the faith common to St Paul and Titus, in a common faith, or -in communion of faith;" see note on 1 Timothy 1:2.

Grace, mercy, and peace The mss. authority is against the insertion of -mercy" here, though occurring in the salutation of both the letters to his other -true child" Timothy. If the reason for the insertion in Timothy's case suggested on 1 Timothy 1:2 be true, its absence is appropriate here in the case of Titus. Though true son and trusted colleague, he had not been, like Timothy, the constant companion and the alter egoof one who, while -fain to serve the best," was ever -conscious most of wrong within."

from God the Father The later form in these Epistles for -our Father," cf. 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2.

For the sense of the -Father" see Bp Westcott, add. note on 1 John 1:2. -St John does not use the Pauline phrase "our Father" in his own writings; in the Epistles he uses uniformly the absolute title "the Father" without any addition; and in the Apocalypse "his (my) Father" but not "the Father." "The Father" suggests those thoughts which spring from the consideration of the moral connexion of God and man in virtue of the creation of man "in the image of God"; "my Father" points to those which spring from the revelation of the connexion of the Incarnate Son with God and with man, "the Son of God," "the Christ." In his latest writings S. John regards the relation of the Divine Fatherhood in its eternal, that is, in its present realisation "the Father" from its absolute side."

and the Lord Jesus Christ This fullest and most emphatic title, according to the true text, occurs only in 1 Timothy 6:3 (note there and on 1 Timothy 1:1) and 1 Timothy 6:14. Read here, Christ Jesus.

our Saviour See note on 1 Timothy 1:1 for this title given to Christ in the Pastoral Letters and in St Peter. It occurs not seldom in the Prayer Book, though much less often than -Jesus Christ our Lord"; e.g. in the 2nd and 3rd Collects for Evening Prayer, Collect for 2nd S. in Advent, Septuagesima, Easter Even, Prayer of Consecration, &c.