CHAPTER III. _The necessity of obedience to the civil powers, and of meek and_ _gentle deportment towards all men, is to be diligently_ _enforced_, 1, 2. _The wretched state of man, previously to the advent of Christ_, 3. _The wonderful change which the grace of God makes, and the means_ _whi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 3:2. _TO SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN_] μηδενα βλασφημειν. To blaspheme no person, to reproach none, to speak nothing to any man's injury; but, on the contrary, bearing reproach and contumely with patience and meekness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 3:3. _FOR WE OURSELVES_] All of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, were, before our conversion to Christ, foolish, disobedient, and deceived. There is no doubt that the apostle felt he could include himself in the above list, previously to his conversion. The manner in which he persecuted the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _BUT AFTER THAT THE KINDNESS AND LOVE OF GOD_] By χρηστοτης we may understand the _essential goodness_ of the Divine nature; that which is the _spring_ whence all kindness, mercy, and beneficence proceed. _Love toward man _- φιλανθρωπια. _Philanthropy_. It is to be regretted that this att... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS_] Those who were foolish, disobedient, and deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, could not possibly have _works of righteousness_ to plead; therefore, if saved at all, they must be saved by _mercy_. Ephesians 2:8; and see a discourse entitled, _Salvati... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _WHICH HE SHED ON US ABUNDANTLY_] ου εξεχεεν. _Which_ _he poured out_ on us, as the water was poured out on them in baptism, to which there is here a manifest allusion; but as this was sometimes only _sprinkled_ on the person, the heavenly gift was _poured_ out, not in _drops_, but πλουσιως... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _THAT, BEING JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE_] Being freed from sin; for the term _justification_ is to be taken here as implying the whole work of the grace of Christ on the heart, in order to its preparation for eternal glory. _SHOULD BE MADE HEIRS_] The Gospel not only gave them the hope of an e... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. THIS IS _A FAITHFUL SAYING_] πιστος ο λογος. _This is_ _the true doctrine_; the doctrine that cannot fail. _AND THESE THINGS I WILL_] Και περι τουτων βουλομαι σε διαβεβαιουσθαι· _And I will_, or _desire, thee to maintain earnestly_ _what concerns these points_. The things to which the apos... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _AVOID FOOLISH QUESTIONS, AND GENEALOGIES_] In these the Jews particularly delighted; they abounded in the most frivolous questions; and, as they had little piety _themselves_, they were solicitous to show that they had descended from _godly_ _ancestors_. Of their frivolous questions, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _A MAN THAT IS A HERETIC_] Generally defined, one that is obstinately attached to an opinion contrary to the peace and comfort of society, and will neither submit to Scripture nor reason. Here it means a person who maintains Judaism in opposition to Christianity, or who insists on the nece... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _IS SUBVERTED_] _Is turned out of the way_ in which he may be saved, and consequently _sinneth_-enters into that way that leads to destruction. _BEING CONDEMNED OF HIMSELF._] This refers to the Judaizing teacher, who maintained his party and opinions for filthy lucre's sake. He was consci... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _WHEN I SHALL SEND ARTEMAS - OR TYCHICUS_] These were either deacons or presbyters, which the apostle intended to send to Crete, to supply the place of Titus. Who Artemas was we know not; he is not mentioned in any other place in the New Testament. Tychicus was a native of Asia, as we lear... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _BRING ZENAS THE LAWYER_] This person is only mentioned in this place; whether he was a _Jewish, Roman_, or _Greek_ lawyer, we cannot tell. _AND APOLLOS_] Of this person we have some valuable particulars in Acts 18:24; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 4:6. Either St. P... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _AND LET OTHERS ALSO LEARN TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS_] There is something very remarkable in this expression. The words καλων εργων προιστασθαι, which we translate _to maintain good_ _works_, occur also in Titus 3:8; and some think they mean, _to provide for our own, and the_ _necessities of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 3:15. _ALL THAT ARE WITH ME_] He means his companions in the ministry. _SALUTE THEE._] Wish thee well, and desire to be affectionately remembered to thee. _GREET THEM THAT LOVE US IN THE FAITH,_] All that love us for Christ's sake, and all that are genuine Christians. _GRACE_ BE _WITH... [ Continue Reading ]