Romans 1:5

     5. By whom—as the ordained channel.

      we have received grace—the whole "grace that bringeth salvation" (Tit 2:11).

      and apostleship—for the publication of that "grace," and the organization of as many as receive it into churches of visible discipleship. (We prefer thus taking them as two distinct things, and not, with some good interpreters, as one—"the grace of apostleship").

      for obedience to the faith—rather, "for the obedience of faith"—that is, in order to men's yielding themselves to the belief of God's saving message, which is the highest of all obedience.

      for his name—that He might be glorified.

Titus 1:4

     4. Titus, mine own sonGreek, "my genuine child" (1Ti 1:2), that is, converted by my instrumentality (1Co 4:17; Phm 10).

      after the common faith—a genuine son in respect to (in virtue of) the faith common to all the people of God, comprising in a common brotherhood Gentiles as well as Jews, therefore embracing Titus a Gentile (2Pe 1:1; Jude 3).

      Grace, mercy, and peace—"mercy" is omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts. But one of the best and oldest manuscripts supports it (compare Notes, see on 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2). There are many similarities of phrase in the Pastoral Epistles.

      the Lord Jesus Christ—The oldest manuscripts read only "Christ Jesus."

      our Saviour—found thus added to "Christ" only in Paul's Pastoral Epistles, and in 2Pe 1:1, 11; 2:20; 3:18.

Titus 1:9

     9. Holding fast—Holding firmly to (compare Mt 6:24; Lu 16:13).

      the faithful—true and trustworthy (1Ti 1:15).

      word as he has been taught—literally, "the word (which is) according to the teaching" which he has received (compare 1Ti 4:6, end; 2Ti 3:14).

      by—Translate as Greek, "to exhort in doctrine (instruction) which is sound"; sound doctrine or instruction is the element IN which his exhorting is to have place . . . On "sound" (peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles), see 1Ti 1:10; 6:3.

      convince—rather, "reprove" [ALFORD], (Tit 1:13).

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