THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TITUS. Chronological Notes relative to this Epistle. -Year of the Constantinopolitan era of the world, or that used by the Byzantine historians, 5573. -Year of the Alexandrian era of the world, 5567. -Year of the Antiochian era of the world, 5557. -Year of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 1:2. _IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE_] In expectation of a state of _being_ and _well being_ which should last through eternity, when time should be no more. This includes, not only the _salvation of_ _the soul_ and its eternal _beatification_, but also the _resurrection_ _of the body_. This wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 1:3. _BUT HATH IN DUE TIMES_] καιροις ιδιοις. In its own times. See 2 Timothy 2:6; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:7. God caused the Gospel to be published in that time in which it could be published with the greatest effect. It is impossible that God should prematurely hasten... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _TO TITUS_, MINE _OWN SON_] Him whom I have been the instrument of converting to the Christian faith; and in whom, in this respect, I have the same right as any man can have in his own begotten son. See the preface; and 1 Timothy 1:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _FOR THIS CAUSE LEFT I THEE IN CRETE_] That St. Paul had been in Crete, though nowhere else intimated, is clear from this passage. That he could not have made such an important visit, and evangelized an island of the first consequence, without its being mentioned by his historian, Luke, had... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _IF ANY BE BLAMELESS_] 1 Timothy 3:2, c. _HAVING FAITHFUL CHILDREN_] Whose family is converted to God. It would have been absurd to employ a man to govern the Church whose children were not in subjection to himself for it is an apostolic maxim, that he who cannot rule his own house, cannot... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _NOT SELF-WILLED_] μη αυθαδη. Not one who is determined to have his own way in every thing; setting up his own judgment to that of all others; expecting all to pay homage to his understanding. Such a governor in the Church of God can do little good, and may do much mischief. _NOT SOON ANGR... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _A LOVER OF HOSPITALITY_] φιλοξενον. _A lover of_ _strangers_. 1 Timothy 3:2. Instead of φιλοξενον, one MS. has φιλοπτωξον, _a lover of the poor_. That minister who neglects the _poor_, but is frequent in his visits to the _rich_, knows little of his Master's work, and has little of his Mas... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD_] Conscientiously retaining, and zealously maintaining, the true Christian doctrine, κατα την διδαχην, _according to the instructions_, or according to the _institutions, form of sound doctrine_, or _confession of faith_, which I have delivered to thee. _THA... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _THERE ARE MANY UNRULY_] Persons who will not receive the sound doctrine, nor come under wholesome discipline. _VAIN TALKERS_] Empty boasters of knowledge, rights, and particular privileges; all noise, empty parade, and no _work_. _DECEIVERS_] Of the souls of men by their specious preten... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED_] Unmask them at once; exhibit them to the people; make manifest their ignorance and hypocrisy; and let them be confounded before the people whom they are endeavouring to seduce. _SUBVERT WHOLE HOUSES_] Turn whole Christian families from the faith, attributin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _ONE OF THEMSELVES_, EVEN _A PROPHET OF THEIR OWN_] This was _Epimenides_, who was born at _Gnossus_, in Crete, and was reckoned by many the _seventh wise man_ of Greece, instead of _Periander_, to whom that honour was by them denied. Many fabulous things are related of this poet, which a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse.13. _THIS WITNESS IS TRUE._] What Epimenides said of them nearly 600 years before continued still to be true. Their original character had undergone no moral change. _REBUKE THEM SHARPLY_] αποτομως. _Cuttingly, severely_; show no indulgence to persons guilty of such crimes. _THAT THEY MAY BE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _NOT GIVING HEED TO JEWISH FABLES_] See on 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7. _COMMANDMENTS OF MEN_] The injunctions of the scribes and Pharisees, which they added to the law of God. _THAT TURN FROM THE TRUTH._] For such persons made the word of God of none effect by their traditions. Sometim... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _UNTO THE PURE ALL THINGS ARE PURE_] This appears to have been spoken in reference to the Jewish distinctions of _clean_ and _unclean meats_. To the genuine Christian every kind of meat proper for human nourishment is pure, is lawful, and may be used without scruple. This our Lord had long... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 1:16. _THEY PROFESS THAT THEY KNOW GOD_] He still speaks concerning the unbelieving Jews, the seducing teachers, and those who had been seduced by their bad doctrine. None were so full of pretensions to the knowledge of the true God as the Jews. They would not admit that any other people... [ Continue Reading ]