Titus 3:8

πιστὸς ὁ λόγος. Here it is evident that ὁ λόγος does not refer to any isolated Saying, but to the doctrinal statement contained in Titus 3:4-7 regarded as a single concept as we, when we speak of The Incarnation, sum up in one term a whole system of theology while τούτων refers to the various topics indicated in that statement, not to the practical teaching of Titus 2:1 to Titus 3:7.

βούλομαι : see note on 1 Timothy 2:8.

διαβεβαιοῦσθαι : Here the Vulg. has confirmare; [320] has affirmare, as in 1 Timothy 1:7, where see note.

[320] The Latin text of Codex Claromontanus (sæc. vi.), a Græco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.

ἵνα : It is most significant and suggestive that the apostle held that good works were most certainly assured by a theology which gives special prominence to the free unmerited grace of God. This is made plainer in the R.V. (to the end that), than in the A.V. (that).

φροντίζωσιν : curent (am.), curam habeant (fuld [321]).

[321]uld. Cod. Fuldensis

καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι : occupy themselves in good works, bonis operibus praeesse (Vulg.). Prostare would have been a better translation, since the πρό in this use of προΐστασθαι is derived from bodily posture rather than from superiority in station. “From the practice of the workman or tradesman standing before his shop for the purpose of soliciting customers … we arrive at the general meaning of conducting or managing any matter of business.” So Field, who also points out that the R.V.m., profess honest occupations (similarly A.V.m on Titus 3:14) is open to the serious objection that καλὰ ἔργα everywhere else in N.T., as well as in secular authors, means “good works” in the religious or moral sense.

οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ : This simple phrase is used designedly in order to express the notion that profession of the recently revealed Gospel is indeed merely a logical consequence and natural development of the older simple belief in God.

ταῦτα : The antithesis in the following μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις proves that these things refers to the subject-matter of Titus' pronouncements (διαβεβαιοῦσθαι), and means this enforcement of practical religion.

καλά : is to be taken absolutely, as in the parallel 1 Timothy 2:3, and is not to be connected with τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.