CHAPTER II. _Sundry directions to aged men_, 1, 2. _To aged women_, 3. _To young women_, 4, 5. _To young men_, 6. _Directions to Titus, relative to his own conduct_, 7, 8. _Directions to servants_, 9, 10. _What the Gospel of the grace of God teaches all men_, 11, 12. _The glorious prospect h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 2:2. _THAT THE AGED MEN BE SOBER_] It is very likely that the word _aged_ is to be taken here in its literal sense; that it refers to _advanced years_, and not to any _office_ in the Church: the whole context seems to require this sense. For an old man to be a drunkard, a light and trif... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 2:3. _THE AGED WOMEN LIKEWISE_] I believe _elderly_ women are meant, and not _deaconesses_. _THAT_ THEY BE _IN BEHAVIOUR_] εν καταστηματι ιεροπρεπεις. That they be in their _dress, gait_, and general _deportment_, such as their holy calling requires; that they be not like the world, but... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _THAT THEY MAY TEACH THE YOUNG WOMEN TO BE SOBER_] That it was natural for the young to imitate the old will be readily allowed; it was therefore necessary that the old should be an example of godly living to the young. St. Jerome, taking it for granted that _drunkenness_ and _impurity_ are... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _KEEPERS AT HOME_] οικουρους. A woman who spends much time in _visiting_, must neglect her family. The idleness, dirtiness, impudence, and profligacy of the children, will soon show how deeply criminal the mother was in rejecting the apostle's advice. Instead of οικουρους, _keepers of the h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _YOUNG MEN - EXHORT TO BE SOBER-MINDED._] Reformation should begin with the old; they have the authority, and they should give the example. The young of both sexes must also give an account of themselves to God; _sober-mindedness_ in young men is a rare qualification, and they who have it n... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _IN ALL THINGS SHOWING THYSELF A PATTERN_] As the apostle had given directions relative to the conduct of _old men_, Titus 2:2, of _old women_, Titus 2:3, of _young women_, Titus 2:4, and of _young men_, Titus 2:6, the words περι παντα, which we translate _in all things_, should be rather c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _SOUND SPEECH_] λογον υγιη. _Sound_ or _healing_ _doctrine_. Human nature is in a state of _disease_; and the doctrine of the Gospel is calculated to remove the disease, and restore all to perfect _health_ and _soundness_. All false doctrines leave men under the influence of this spiritual... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. EXHORT _SERVANTS TO BE OBEDIENT_] The apostle refers to those who were _slaves_, and the _property_ of their masters; even these are exhorted to be obedient ιδιοις δεσποταις, _to their own_ _despots_, though they had no right over them on the ground of _natural justice_. _PLEASE_ THEM _WEL... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _NOT PURLOINING_] μη νοσφιζομενους. Neither _giving_ _away, privately selling_, nor in any way _wasting_, the master's goods. The word signifies, not only _stealing_ but _embezzling_ another's property; _keeping back a part of the price_ of any commodity sold on the master's account. In Ac... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH_ _appeared to all men_] Επεφανη γαρ ἡ χαρις του Θεου ἡ σωτηριος πασιν ανθρωποις· Literally translated, the words stand thus: _For_ _the grace of God, that which saves, hath shone forth upon all men_. Or, as it is expressed in the margin of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _TEACHING US, THAT, DENYING_, c.] παιδευουσα. Instructing us as _children_ are instructed. Christ is the great teacher and men, in order to learn, must become his disciples-must put themselves under his tuition, and learn of him. _DENYING UNGODLINESS_] ασεβειαν. All things contrary to God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE_] Expecting the grand object of our hope, _eternal life_. See Titus 1:2. This is what the Gospel teaches us to expect, and what the grace of God prepares the human heart for. This is called a _blessed hope_; those who have it are _happy_ in the sure prospect... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US_] Who gave his own life as a _ransom price_ to redeem ours. This is evidently what is meant, as the words λυτρωσηται and λαον περιουσιον imply. The verb λυτροω signifies to _redeem_ or _ransom by paying a price_, as I have often had occasion to observe; and περιου... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Titus 2:15. _THESE THINGS SPEAK_] That is, _teach_; for λαλει, _speak_, has the same meaning here as διδασκε, _teach_, which, as being synonymous, is actually the reading of the _Codex_ _Alexandrinus_. _AND EXHORT_] παρακαλει. Repeat them again and again, and urge them on their attention and... [ Continue Reading ]