Titus 1:8

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; LOVER OF HOSPITALITY - needed especially in those days (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 1:5). Christians traveling from one place to another were received and forwarded on their journey by brethren. LOVER OF GOOD MEN, [ filagathon (G5358)] - 'a lover of (all that is) good,' men or things (Philippians 4:8). SOBER...

8._But hospitable, devoted to kindness _Hence it is evident how destructive is that plague which tears the Church by quarrels. With this vice he contrasts, first, docility, and next, gentleness and modesty towards all; for a bishop will never teach well, who is not also ready to learn. Augustine praises highly a saying of Cyprian: “Let him be as patient to learn as skillful to teach.” Besides, bishops often need advice and warnings. If they refuse to be admonished, if they reject good advices, they will immediately fall headlong to the grievous injury of the Church. The remedy against these evils, therefore, is, that they be not wise to themselves. I have chosen to translate φιλάγαθον _devoted to kindness, _rather than with Erasmus, “a lover of good things;” for this virtue, accompanied by hospitality, appears to be contrasted by Paul with covetousness and niggardliness. He calls that ma...

5-9 The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is great reason that they should be blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of good works....

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 Master's spirit. _A LOVER OF GOOD MEN_] φιλαγαθον. _A lover of goodness_ or of _good things_ in general. _SOBER_] Prudent in all his conduct. _Just_ in all his dealings. _Holy_ in his heart. _Temperate_-self-denying and abstemious, in his food and raiment; not too nice on points of honour, nor magisterially rigid in the exercise of his ecclesiastical functions. Qualifications rarely found in spiritual governors....

BUT A LOVER OF HOSPITALITY - Notes, 1 Timothy 3:2. A LOVER OF GOOD MEN - Margin, “or things.” The Greek (φιλάγαθος philagathos) means, a lover of good, and may apply to any thing that is good. It may refer to good men, as included under the general term good; and there is no more essential qualification of a bishop than this. A man who sustains the office of a minister of the gospel, should love every good object, and be ever ready to promote it; and he should love every good man, no matter in what denomination or country he may be found - no matter what his complexion, and no matter what his rank in life; compare the notes at Philippians 4:8....

EXPOSITION TITUS 1:1 _Knowledge _for _acknowledging, _A.V.; _according to _for _after, _A.V. A SERVANT OF GOD (δοῦλος Θεοῦ); so in the superscriptions: Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ;_ _James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jud 2 Peter 1:1; Revelation 1:1. St. Paul also calls himself "the servant of Christ" ...

BUT A LOVER OF HOSPITALITY,.... 1 Timothy 3:2 A LOVER OF GOOD MEN, or "of good"; the Syriac version renders it, "of good things"; as prayer, preaching, reading, meditation, spiritual conversation, and every religious exercise: or "of good men"; for such an elder or bishop has chiefly to do and converse with; and if he is not a lover of them, their company will be disagreeable to him, and he will be of no advantage to them; and if he does not love the souls of men, he will not naturally care for their state, or be concerned for their good. SOBER: in body, using moderation in diet and dress; and in mind, being prudent, modest, and humble, and thinking soberly of himself, and others, as he ought. JUST; righteous in his dealings with men, giving to everyone their due; upright and sincere in his conversation with the saints; and faithful

While reading this chapter, we must understand that Titus was sent to Crete, to superintend the preaching of the gospel throughout that island. Crete was at that time inhabited by a people who were only partially civilized, and sunk in the very worst of vices. Paul, therefore, tells Titus to speak to them about things which would hardly be mentioned to Christians nowadays. Titus 1:1. _Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; to Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour._

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The salutation (Titus 1:1)_ 2. Instructions concerning elders (Titus 1:5) 3. Warnings against false teachers (Titus 1:10) Titus 1:1 Paul calls himself in writing to Titus “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” for he speaks in these introductory words of God's elect, and their faith in Him; and the promise of eternal life, God, who cannot lie, gave before the dispensations began; and that His Word is now manifested through preaching which was committed unto him by our Saviour-God. God's elect are those who have trusted in Christ. Th

THE APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS. Paul renews in writing instructions delivered orally to Titus during his recent visit to Crete. As in Asia (1 Timothy 3:1 ff.), the safeguard against error is a wisely constituted ministry, faithful in conserving the true doctrine. For the elders-' qualifications _cf._ 1 Timothy 3:1 *. The lists are essentially identical, the chief difference being the addition here of just, holy, etc., and the omission of not a novice. 6. BLAMELESS: 1 TIMOTHY 3:10 *. HUSBAND, etc.: 1 Timothy 3:2 *. CHILDREN, etc.: the reason is given in...