ACCORDING TO THE FAITH OF GOD'S ELECT (κατα πιστιν εκλεκτων θεου). Here κατα expresses the aim of Paul's apostleship, not the standard by which he was chosen as in Philippians 3:14; a classic idiom, repeated here with επιγνωσιν, ευσεβειαν, επιταγην, "with a view to" in each case. For "God's elect... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD WHO CANNOT LIE (ο αψευδης θεος). "The non-lying God." Old adjective (α privative and ψευδης), here only in N.T. See 2 Timothy 2:13. In Polycarp's last prayer.PROMISED (επηγγειλατο). First aorist middle indicative of επαγγελλω. Antithesis in εφανερωσεν δε (manifested) in verse Titus 1:3 (fir... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIS OWN SEASONS (καιροις ιδιοις). Locative case. See 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Timothy 6:15.IN THE MESSAGE (εν κηρυγματ). See 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:4 for this word, the human proclamation (preaching) of God's word.WHEREWITH I WAS INTRUSTED (ο επιστευθην). Accusative relative ο retained... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TRUE CHILD (γνησιω τεκνω). See 1 Timothy 1:2 for this adjective with Timothy. Titus is not mentioned in Acts, possibly because he is Luke's brother. But one can get a clear picture of him by turning to 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:6-15; 2 Corinthians 8:6-24; 2 Corinthians 12:16-18; Galat... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAUSE (τουτου χαριν). In N.T. only here and Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:14. Paul may be supplementing oral instruction as in Timothy's case and may even be replying to a letter from Titus (Zahn).LEFT I THEE IN CRETE (απελειπον σε εν Κρητη). This is the imperfect active of απολειπω, thoug... [ Continue Reading ]
BLAMELESS (ανεγκλητος). In a condition of first class. Used in 1 Timothy 3:10 of deacons which see.THAT BELIEVE (πιστα). Added to what is in 1 Timothy 3:4. "Believing children."NOT ACCUSED OF RIOT (μη εν κατηγορια ασωτιας). See 1 Timothy 5:19 for κατηγορια and Ephesians 5:18 for ασωτια. "Not... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BISHOP (τον επισκοπον). Same office as "elder" in Titus 1:5. "Elder is the title, oversight is the function" (B. Weiss).AS GOD'S STEWARD (ως θεου οικονομον). See 1 Corinthians 4:1 for Paul's idea of the bishop (elder) as God's steward (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 3:2;... [ Continue Reading ]
A LOVER OF GOOD (φιλαγαθον). Late double compound (φιλοσ, αγαθος). See Wisdom 7:22. Here only in N.T. Just (δικαιον), holy (οσιον) not in Titus 1:1.TEMPERATE (εγκρατη). Old and common adjective (εν, κρατος, strength), having power over, controlling, here only in N.T. Picture of self-control.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLDING TO (αντεχομενον). Present middle participle of αντεχω, old verb, to hold back, in middle to hold oneself face to face with, to cling to, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:14.THE FAITHFUL WORD (του πιστου λογου). See 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:3; Romans 16:17. Some would see a reference here to C... [ Continue Reading ]
VAIN TALKERS (ματαιολογο). Late and rare compound, empty talkers, in Vett. Val. and here. See 1 Timothy 1:6 for ματαιολογια.DECEIVERS (φρεναπατα). Late and rare compound, in papyri, eccl. writers, here alone in N.T. "Mind-deceivers." See Galatians 6:3 for φρεναπαταιν.SPECIALLY THEY OF THE CIRCU... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED (ους δε επιστομιζειν). Literally, "whom it is necessary to silence by stopping the mouth." Present active infinitive επιστομιζειν, old and common verb (επ, στομα, mouth), here only in N.T. To stop the mouth either with bridle or muzzle or gag.OVERTHROW (ανατρεπουσιν... [ Continue Reading ]
A PROPHET OF THEIR OWN (ιδιος αυτων προφητης). "Their own prophet." Self-styled "prophet" (or poet), and so accepted by the Cretans and by Cicero and Apuleius, that is Epimenides who was born in Crete at Cnossos. It is a hexameter line and Callimachus quoted the first part of it in a Hymn to Zeus... [ Continue Reading ]
TESTIMONY (μαρτυρια). Of the poet Epimenides. Paul endorses it from his recent knowledge.SHARPLY (αποτομως). Old adverb from αποτομος (from αποτεμνω, to cut off), in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 13:10, "curtly," "abruptly." It is necessary to appear rude sometimes for safety, if the house i... [ Continue Reading ]
See 1 Timothy 1:4 for προσεχÂω and μυθοις, only here we have _Jewish_ (Ιουδαικοις) added. Perhaps a reference to the oral traditions condemned by Christ in Mark 7:2-8. See also Colossians 2:22, apparently Pharisaic type of Gnostics.WHO TURN AWAY FROM THE TRUTH (αποστρεφομενων). Present middle (dir... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THEM THAT ARE DEFILED (τοις μεμιαμμενοις). Perfect passive articular participle of μιαινω, old verb, to dye with another colour, to stain, in N.T. only here, Judges 1:8; Hebrews 12:15. See μεμιαντα (perf. pass. indic.) in this verse. Μολυνω (1 Corinthians 8:7) is to smear.UNBELIEVING (απιστοι... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY PROFESS (ομολογουσιν). Present active indicative of ομολογεω, common verb (ομου, λεγω) as in Romans 10:10. Ειδενα (know) is second perfect active infinitive of οιδα in indirect assertion.BY THEIR WORKS (τοις εργοις). Instrumental case.THEY DENY (αρνουντα). Present middle of αρνεομα, old... [ Continue Reading ]