Commentary on the Epistle to Titus

But speak the things which befit sound doctrine.

He knows these things of God, which is called sound doctrine; for the doctrine of God is salutary.

That the aged men be sober, grave, prudent, sound in faith, in love, in patience.

He shows who are of sound doctrine; so as to signify that those less sober, less grave, unfaithful, without charity, impatient, are disciples of unsound doctrine. For by such works God is not known, nor his righteousness.

The aged women likewise, in a manner befitting religion, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teaching good things; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be prudent, to be chaste, pure, keepers at home, subject to their own husbands: lest the word of God be blasphemed.

He commands the elders to be such, so as to be examples of good conduct to the younger; so that if they have unbelieving husbands, they might rejoice with them the more, rather than blaspheme the name of God, when they see that out of fear of God they obey their husbands the more readily.

Younger men likewise exhort to be self-controlled, in all things showing yourself an example of good works, in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he who is on the opposing side may be ashamed, having nothing to say concerning us worthy of blame. Since youth is wont to overstep measure, indeed to be more prone to falling, therefore it is bidden to be held back by salutary restraints, so that, unbridled, it may be governed by divine laws.

And that this may not be difficult or hard to accomplish, he bids the teacher be a model; that he may show how the things which he teaches are to be done; so that those who are profane, and enemies of the faith, may blush, seeing that what he teaches in words he proves true by deeds.

Servants to be subject to their own masters in all things, to be well-pleasing, not gainsaying, not defrauding, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. He says that the Lord's doctrine is adorned by good works and faith; for then the doctrine is pleasing, if he who professes it does not make it hateful by denying it in deed, but makes it lovable and true; for what is true cannot be unbecoming. When therefore words are fulfilled by deeds that follow, they are shown to be true, and thereby becoming.

Then masters can not only not forbid their servants from the faith, but even rejoice; because they see their faith also profit themselves.

For no one keeping faith with God can be unfaithful to men.

For the grace of God our Saviour has appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying impiety and worldly desires, we should live temperately, and justly, and piously in this world.

He says that the gift of God has shone upon men through Christ, that is, the truth of the one God made manifest in Christ: so that by pious profession we might proclaim the Creator in the unity of the Trinity: which formerly lay hidden from the human race, but now has shone forth by the mercy of God; that avoiding the darkness of error, that is, fleeing the ignorance and impiety of worldly men, we may be found pious toward God the parent of all, professing him in the truth which the Gospel of his Son delivers: and that we may be able to have the reward of this, let us do good works.

For just as there is no hope for him who preaches the Father alone, if he does not also profess the Son in the same truth: so also the hope of him is in vain who has only the profession of faith without good works.

Looking for the blessed hope, and the coming of the glory of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us; that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and cleanse to himself a people abounding, zealous of good works. He says this is the blessed hope of believers; because they await the coming of the glory of the great God, which is to be revealed, with Christ as judge, in whom the power and glory of God the Father will be seen; that they may obtain the reward of their faith. For to this end Christ has redeemed us, that pursuing a pure life, filled with good works, we might be able to be heirs of the kingdom of God.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise you.

Warn them to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey at a word, to be ready for every good work.

He admonishes what the salvation of believers is; that he may make it manifest, when they are rebuked, that they may know for what good they are being fitted: so that they may not take it harshly, being certain that they are being corrected for their salvation: and that they may be slow to evil, but ready to good, not ignorant of what is owed to each one.

To speak evil of no man, not to be quarrelsome, but gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.

He wishes Christians to appear humble toward all men; for thus the unbelieving can be called to future hope.

For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, erring, serving divers desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

He recalls these good things, which unbelief does not have, as given to Christians; so that, shining in all righteousness, it might be made manifest that they are worshipers of God. For since they were once foolish, but now appear in every respect to be of sound counsel, God is praised in them.

But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This good which is seen to flourish in Christians arises from the root of divine goodness; for God has saved us by his mercy through Christ, by whose grace, being reborn, we have received the Holy Spirit abundantly; that we might be able to rely on good works, he himself helping us in all things, that through these we might be able to obtain the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. Wherefore we ought with all devotion to obey him, and to comply with his precepts; because whatever is beautiful in us, he himself paints with spiritual lineaments.

It is a faithful saying: and concerning these things I will have you affirm constantly; that they who believe in God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. Nothing is so plain, since mercy and kindness are good for the present, and profitable for the future; for it has praise here, and a crown on the day of judgment.

For everyone believing in God ought to be zealous for mercy, by which he lives. That the ruler of the people therefore might be attentive to these things, he is admonished.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

He calls these questions foolish, which have no effect toward salvation, nor grant any expertness of knowledge for use. By these words he denotes the dogmas of many heretics. Although all things which are not true ought to be called foolish; yet one man is he who introduces fabulous things, and another he who by the cunning of evasion sets forth a matter full of poison, as Arius and Photinus. But it is not the Law that is fabulous, but heresy, insofar as concerns that time of the Jews, while certain of them claimed for themselves a prerogative of origins from the patriarchs, which arose from marriages, though from this there is no merit before God.

Certain others held that the baptism of jugs and other vessels, and the blood of the weasel, must be expiated with great care: and that the burial of Moses was hidden for this reason, lest it be dug up by magicians—which, if it were true, then the burial of the other saints would also have had to be hidden: and that Solomon built the temple with the help of demons, in which work a vast multitude labored—what is so fabulous as this?

A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, avoid; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sins, being condemned by his own self.

These are heretics, who by the words of the Law fight against the Law; for they build their own opinion upon the words of the Law, so that they may commend the perversity of their mind by the authority of the Law.

For impiety, knowing that the authority of the Law is worth much, composes its deceit under its name; so that, because an evil thing cannot be acceptable by itself, it may be commended by the goodness of the name. Therefore he says that men of this kind, so that they may be inexcusable, ought to be rebuked once: for the more often they are rebuked, the more practiced they will become in evil. But he who rebukes them often seems to compel them; so that they become more eager for the ruin of many: therefore they are to be let go, so that, having become more negligent, they may perhaps perish alone.

When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hasten to come to me at Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter.

After sending the letter he wishes also to see him in person, out of affection, and so that he might more fully confirm him in ecclesiastical discipline.

Send forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos diligently, that nothing may be lacking to them: and let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.

Each is a man noble in wisdom and works; and therefore he bids that necessary provisions be given to them by those who had believed, so that they might refresh them; because it was fitting that those who delivered spiritual things should not lack carnal things. For although he calls Zenas a lawyer, Apollos nevertheless was perfect in the Scriptures: but because Zenas had been of this profession in the synagogue, he calls him thus.

All that are with me salute you.

For brevity's sake he signifies that all salute together at once. Salute them that love us in the faith.

He wishes those to be seen worthy of his greeting who faithfully love him with the affection of Christ our Lord. Grace be with you all. Now he generally greets all the brothers and the household of Titus.