Tit 3:1-2 | Barnes | STEP | Titus CHAPTER 3 ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER. THIS chapter comprises the following subjects :-- (1.) Titus was to instruct his hearers to be subject to lawful authority, and in general to manifest meekness and gentleness towards all classes of men, . (2.) A reason is assigned why they should do this, . They who were Christians were once, indeed, like others, disobedient and unholy; they were regardless of law, and gave free indulgence to their evil propensities, but they had been redeemed for a better purpose, and it was the design of God in redeeming them, that they should manifest every kind of virtue. (3.) Titus was to avoid foolish questions, and contentions, and strifes about the law, . (4.) He who was a heretic was to be rejected after suitable admonitions, . (5.) Paul directs Titus to come to him at Nicopolis, and to bring Zenas and Apollos with him, . (6.) He closes with the customary salutations, . Verse 1. Put them in mind to be subject, etc. See the duty here enjoined, explained , seq. Principalities and powers . See these words explained . The word here rendered powers , (εξουσιαις,) is not, indeed, the same as that which is found there, (δυναμεις,) but the same idea is conveyed. Comp. . To obey magistrates . That is, to obey them in all that was not contrary to the word of God. , seq.; , . To be ready to every good work . To be prepared for (ετοιμους); prompt to perform all that is good. . A Christian should be always ready to do good as far as he is able. He should not need to be urged, or coaxed, or persuaded, but should be so ready always to do good that he will count it a privilege to have the opportunity to do it. (a) "subject"

Titus 3:1-2

Titus CHAPTER 3

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.

THIS chapter comprises the following subjects :--

(1.) Titus was to instruct his hearers to be subject to lawful authority, and in general to manifest meekness and gentleness towards all classes of men, Tit 3:1, 2.

(2.) A reason is assigned why they should do this, Tit 3:3-8. They who were Christians were once, indeed, like others, disobedient and unholy; they were regardless of law, and gave free indulgence to their evil propensities, but they had been redeemed for a better purpose, and it was the design of God in redeeming them, that they should manifest every kind of virtue.

(3.) Titus was to avoid foolish questions, and contentions, and strifes about the law, Tit 3:9.

(4.) He who was a heretic was to be rejected after suitable admonitions, Tit 3:10,11.

(5.) Paul directs Titus to come to him at Nicopolis, and to bring Zenas and Apollos with him, Tit 3:12-14.

(6.) He closes with the customary salutations, Tit 3:15.

Verse 1. Put them in mind to be subject, etc. See the duty here enjoined, explained Rom 13:1, seq.

Principalities and powers. See these words explained Rom 8:38. The word here rendered powers, (εξουσιαις,) is not, indeed, the same as that which is found there, (δυναμεις,) but the same idea is conveyed. Comp. Eph 1:21.

To obey magistrates. That is, to obey them in all that was not contrary to the word of God. Rom 13:1, seq.; Acts 4:19, Acts 4:20.

To be ready to every good work. To be prepared for (ετοιμους); prompt to perform all that is good. Php 4:8. A Christian should be always ready to do good as far as he is able. He should not need to be urged, or coaxed, or persuaded, but should be so ready always to do good that he will count it a privilege to have the opportunity to do it.

(a) "subject" Rom 13:1 Verse 2. To speak evil of no man. Gr., "to blaspheme (βλασφημειν, compare Mt 9:3) no one." Doddridge renders it, "Calumniate no one." The idea is, that we are not to slander, revile, or defame any one. We are not to say anything to any one, or of any one, which will do him injury. We are never to utter anything which we know to be false about him, or to give such a colouring to his words or conduct as to do him wrong in any way. We should always so speak to him and of him in such a way that he will have no reason to complain that he is an injured man. It may be necessary, when we are called to state what we know of his character, to say things which are not at all in his favour, or things which he has said or done that were wrong; but

(1.) we should never do this for the purpose of doing him injury, or so as to find a pleasure in it; and

(2.) where it is necessary to make the statement, it should be so as to do him no injustice. We should give no improper colouring. We should exaggerate no circumstance. We should never attempt to express ourselves about his motives, or charge on him bad motives--for we know not what his motives were. We should state every palliating circumstance of which we have knowledge, and do entire justice to it. We should not make the bad traits of his character prominent, and pass over all that is good. In a word, we should show that we would rather find him to be a good man than a bad man--even if the result should be that we had been mistaken in our opinions. It is better that we should have been mistaken, than that he should be a bad man.

To be no brawlers. 1Timm 3:3. The same Greek word occurs in both places. It is not elsewhere found in the New Testament.

But gentle. The word here used is rendered moderation in Php 4:5; patient in 1Timm 3:3, and elsewhere gentle. 1Timm 3:3.

Showing all meekness unto all men. In the reception of injuries. Mt 5:6, Eph 4:2.

(b) "all meekness" Eph 4:2