Titus 1:4

χάρις καὶ εἰρήνη. This, the usual form of salutation in St Paul’s letters (see exegetical note on 1 Timothy 1:2), is supported by אC*D2EGIP and most of the versions; the rec. text (following the analogy of 1 Timothy 1:2 and 2 Timothy 1:1) reads χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη with ACbKL.

Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ. So אACD2*I d e and the Bohairic; the reading of the rec. text κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (D2cEGKLP f g and the Syriac versions) probably arose from a tendency to assimilate the salutation to St Paul’s usual form, it not having been observed that here that form is modified by the addition of the words τοῦ σωτῆρος (see exegetical note and note on 1 Timothy 1:2).

4. Τίτῳ γνησίῳ τέκνῳ. To Titus, true child. See on 1 Timothy 1:2. It seems not improbable from the application of this phrase to Titus that he had been converted to the faith by St Paul; but we have no certain information on the point. See Galatians 2:1 ff.

κατὰ κοινὴν πίστιν, after a common faith, corresponding to ἐν πίστει of 1 Timothy 1:2. The κοινὴ πίστις is the sphere of their spiritual relationship; cp. κοινὴ σωτηρία in Jude 1:3.

Χάρις καὶ εἰρήνη. Cp. the critical note, and see on 1 Timothy 1:2.

ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς κ.τ.λ. See the critical note. The exact title Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν does not occur in the salutation of any other of the Pauline Epistles; and is only found elsewhere 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 2:13; Titus 3:6; 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Peter 3:18. Cp. Philippians 3:20.