II. (1) BUT SPEAK THOU THE THINGS WHICH BECOME SOUND DOCTRINE. — To introduce a regular organisation and the principle of a central church government into the numerous but scattered Christian congregations in Crete was Titus’ first work. The second and equally weighty mission the Apostle Paul charge... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE AGED MEN. — Not presbyters, or elders, in an official sense, but simply the “old men” in the congregations. BE SOBER. — In a more extended sense than the bare literal meaning of the word would give. Let the elder men be “thoughtful,” in contrast with the thoughtlessness of careless youth.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE AGED WOMEN LIKEWISE. — St. Paul, faithful to what had now become one of the guiding principles of Christianity, the equal position of women in the city of God, fellow-heirs with men in the citizenship of the city which hath foundations, proceeds to remind the elder women of Crete of their own hi... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY MAY TEACH THE YOUNG WOMEN TO BE SOBER. — Better rendered, simply, _that they may teach_ (or _school_)_ the young women,_ omitting the words “to be sober.” In Ephesus the representative of the Apostle was directed himself to exhort the younger women; very likely the same charge being given... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BE DISCREET. — See Note in Titus 2:2 of this chapter. CHASTE. — Not only in act, but also in look, in speech, in thought, even in dress. KEEPERS AT HOME. — The older authorities here, instead of “keepers at home” (_domum custodientes, domus curam habentes_), read _workers at home;_ the Greek wo... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUNG MEN LIKEWISE EXHORT TO BE SOBER MINDED. — The task of influencing the young men belongs especially to Titus. Among them, in respect to age, he still must be reckoned; as regarded their peculiar temptations, none could be found so fit as the still young Christian disciple of St. Paul (he ‘was p... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ALL THINGS SHEWING THYSELF A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS. — Here St. Paul shows Titus that his especial work is the instruction of no one peculiar class or order, or age or sex, but that he is so to fashion his whole life that it may afford a “pattern” to all — men and women, bond as well as free; in a... [ Continue Reading ]
SOUND SPEECH, THAT CANNOT BE CONDEMNED. — The substance of Titus’ teaching, whether in the more private intercourse with individuals or in his preaching in the Christian gatherings, must be healthy, practical, manly, in contrast to the sickly, morbid, fanciful instruction the false teachers of Crete... [ Continue Reading ]
EXHORT SERVANTS TO BE OBEDIENT UNTO THEIR OWN MASTERS. — The accurate translation here is _bond servants._ The words in this and the following verse, it must be remembered, are addressed to “slaves.” With some special reference to the peculiar circumstances of the Church in Crete, St. Paul had been... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT PURLOINING, BUT SHEWING ALL GOOD FIDELITY. — It must be remembered that many of the slaves in the Roman empire were employed in other duties besides those connected with the house or on the farm. Some were entrusted with shops, and these being left often quite to themselves, of course great oppo... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH APPEARED TO ALL MEN. — More accurately translated, _For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men._ “For” gives the ground, the base upon which the practical exhortations to freemen as well as to bond-servants, contained in Titus... [ Continue Reading ]
TEACHING US. — Literally, _disciplining us;_ educating us by life’s sad experiences. God’s grace is in truth a stern discipline of self-denial and training for higher things. DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS. — More accurately, _to the intent that, having denied,_ &c. The object of the loving... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING. — The Greek should here be rendered, _looking for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory._ And that holy life, just urged on the believer, of quiet self-restraint, of love to others, of piety towards God, must be lit up by a blessed... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR us. — (See Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:25.) These words take up the thought expressed in the term “Saviour” of the last verse. “Himself,” His whole self, as has been well said, “the greatest gift ever given;” “for us,” that is, on our behalf. THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQ... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS SPEAK, AND EXHORT, AND REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY. — These words are the conclusion of this part of the Letter of St. Paul to Titus. A new division of the Epistle begins immediately after this verse with the third chapter. He is to speak the words — many of them sharp and bitter — told h... [ Continue Reading ]