Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, Ver. 1. _To be ready to every_] As the bee, as soon as ever the sun breaks forth, flies abroad to gather honey and wax. A ready heart maketh riddance of religious duties.... [ Continue Reading ]
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, _but_ gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Ver. 2. _To speak evil of no man_] Unless it be in an ordinance, for the reformation of the unruly; pleasing all in that which is good to edifying.... [ Continue Reading ]
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, _and_ hating one another. Ver. 3. _For we ourselves also_] I Paul, and thou Titus, were as bad as others; let us therefore show all mercy and meekness to othe... [ Continue Reading ]
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Ver. 4. _Kindness and love_] His native good ness, and his communicated goodness to us, not yet existing, nay, resisting.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Ver. 5. _Which we have done_] We that are bankrupts in Adam, would yet fain be doing, and think to be saved for a company of poor beggarly duties... [ Continue Reading ]
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Ver. 6. _Which he shed_] Gr. εξεχεεν, Poured out (as it were by pail fulls) his Spirit (the best thing) upon all flesh (the basest thing), Joel 2:28 .... [ Continue Reading ]
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Ver. 7. _Be made heirs_] Not purchasers; all is of free grace. _Horreo quicquid de meo est, ut sim meus._ Paul was a most constant preacher of grace. (Bernard. Augustine.)... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is_ a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Ver. 8. _That thou affirm constantly_] Be well settled in it thyself, and avouch and aver it... [ Continue Reading ]
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Ver. 9. _But foolish questions_] Such as is that of the Papists, whether an ass drinking at the font do drink the water of baptism, and so may be said to be baptized? _Est... [ Continue Reading ]
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Ver. 10. _A man that is a heretic_] All heresies are found to flow (saith Chemnitius) either from the supercilious pride of Samosatenus, or from the sophistry of Arius, or from the ignorance of Aetius. (Loc. Com., i. 2.) These... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Ver. 11. _Is subverted_] Gr. εξεστραπται, Is turned topsy turvy, as a tumbler that hath his heels in the air and his head on the earth; as a ship turns up her keel, or as a man "wipeth a dish and turneth it upside d... [ Continue Reading ]
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Ver. 12. _Come unto me to Nicopolis_] The inhabitants of this city are said so to have hated the braying of an ass, that they would not endure to hear the sound of a tr... [ Continue Reading ]
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. Ver. 13. _That nothing be wanting_] Those that labour in the Lord's work must have all necessary accommodations and encouragements. They must be set forth and brought forward on their journey and in t... [ Continue Reading ]
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. Ver. 14. _To maintain good works_] _See Trapp on "_ Tit 3:8 _"_ That they be not unfruitful] As drone bees or body lice, living upon others' labours, and so opening the mouths of heathens who will be r... [ Continue Reading ]
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace _be_ with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia. >> Ver. 15. _That love us in the faith_] That best ligament of love. The Church is th... [ Continue Reading ]