Comentários bíblicos

An apostle - according to the faith of God's elect, etc.

The norm of the apostolate in each of the three Epistles is unique, and not Pauline. In 1 Timothy, according to the commandment of God: in 2 Timothy, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Κατὰ according to, not for the faith, but corresponding to the norm or standard of faith which is set for God's elect.

And acknowledging of the truth (καὶ ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας)

For acknowledging rend. knowledge. For the phrase, see on 1 Timothy 2:4. Governed, like πίστιν faith, by κατὰ. The writer is an apostle according to the faith of God's elect, and according to the truth which is contained in the faith, as that truth is intelligently apprehended and held.

Which is after godliness (τῆς κατ' εὐσέβειαν)

Or according to godliness. Comp. 1 Timothy 6:3. This addition describes the peculiar and essential character of the truth which is held and known by God's elect, namely, that it is concerned with the fear and obedience of God - all that constitutes true piety. See on 1 Timothy 1:10.

In hope of eternal life (ἐπ' ἐλπίδι ζωῆς αἰωνίου)

Const. with Apostle, Titus 1:1. Ἑπὶ resting upon.

God that cannot lie (ὁ ἀψευδὴς θεὸς)

Ἁψευδὴς N.T.o. Once in lxx, Wisd. 7:17. Comp. Romans 3:4; Hebrews 6:18. Paul expresses the idea positively, by ἀληθής truthful, Romans 3:4.

Before the world began (πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων)

Lit. before eternal times. Before time began to be reckoned by aeons. See on 2 Timothy 1:9, and additional note on 2 Thessalonians 1:9.

In due times (καιροῖς ἰδίοις)

Better, in his (or its) own seasons. See on 1 Timothy 2:6.

Through preaching (ἐν κηρύγματι)

Rather, in a proclamation. See on 2 Timothy 4:17.

Which is committed unto me (ὃ ἐπιστεύθην ἐγὼ)

Betters wherewith I was intrusted. See on 1 Timothy 1:11.

Own (γνησίῳ)

See on 1 Timothy 1:2.

According to the common faith (κατὰ κοινὴν πίστιν)

The phrase N.T.o. Κοινός common, usually in contrast with καθαρός pure or ἅγιος holy, as Acts 10:14; Acts 11:8; Revelation 21:27. In the sense of general as here, Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Jde 1:3. Comp. 2 Peter 1:1. The "catholic" faith. Κατὰ according to, as Titus 1:1.

In Crete

Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. By the mythological writers it was called Aeria, Doliche, Idaea, Telchinia. According to tradition, Minos first gave laws to the Cretans, conquered the Aegean pirates, and established a navy. After the Trojan war the principal cities of the island formed themselves into several republics, mostly independent. The chief cities were Cnossus, Cydonia, Gortyna, and Lyctus. Crete was annexed to the Romans Empire b.c. 67. About Paul's visiting the island we have no information whatever beyond the hints in this Epistle. There is no absolute proof that Paul was ever there before the voyage to Rome. Although on that voyage some time appears to have been spent at Crete, there is no notice of Paul having received any greeting from the members of the Christian churches there. According to this Epistle, Paul and Titus had worked there together. Paul went away, and left Titus to organize the churches founded by himself. He sent this letter by Zenas and Apollos (Titus 3:13), and announced in it the coming of Artemas or of Tychicus. On their arrival Titus was to join Paul at Nicopolis, where Paul was proposing to winter.

Shouldst set in order (ἐπιδιορθώσῃ)

N.T.o. Lit. to set straight besides or farther; that is, should arrange what remained to be set in order after Paul's departure. Used by medical writers of setting broken limbs or straightening crooked ones. Διόρθωσις reformation, Hebrews 9:10 : διόρθωμα correction, Acts 24:3.

Ordain elders (καταστήσῃς πρεσβυτέρους)

Καθιστάναι appoint or constitute. In Paul only Romans 5:19. For the sense here comp. Matthew 24:45, Matthew 24:47; Luke 12:14; Acts 6:3. The meaning of the injunction is, that Titus should appoint, out of the number of elderly men of approved Christian reputation, certain ones to be overseers (ἐπίσκοποι) of the churches in the several cities. The eldership was not a distinct church office. See on 1 Timothy 5:1.

I had appointed (διεταξάμην)

Better, I gave thee charge. Mostly in Luke and Acts.

Faithful children (τέκνα πιστά)

Better, believing children; or, as Rev., children that believe. Comp. 1 Timothy 3:4.

Not accused of riot (μὴ ἐν κατηγορίᾳ ἀσωτίας)

Lit. not in accusation of profligacy. For κατηγορία see on 1 Timothy 5:19. Ἁσωτία, lit. unsavingness; hence, dissoluteness, profligacy. Comp. Luke 15:13, of the prodigal son, who lived unsavingly (ἀσώτως). Only here, Ephesians 5:18, and 1 Peter 4:4 (note).

A bishop (τὸν ἐπίσκοπον)

See on 1 Timothy 3:1; see on 1 Timothy 5:1. Rend. the bishop. It will be observed that the qualifications of the elders are fixed by those of the bishop. Appoint elders who shall be unaccused, etc. for the bishop must be unaccused, etc. The overseers must have the qualifications of approved presbyters.

Steward of God (θεοῦ οἰκονόμον)

Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:10; and see on Romans 16:23; see on Luke 16:1. The phrase N.T.o.

Self-willed (αὐθάδη)

Only here and 2 Peter 2:10 (note).

Soon angry (ὀργίλον)

N.T.o. Rarely in lxx and Class. Irascible.

A lover of hospitality (φιλόξενον)

Better, hospitable. See on 1 Timothy 3:2.

A lover of good men (φιλάγαθον)

N.T.o. Better, lover of good.

Temperate (ἐγκρατῆ)

N.T.o. Originally, having power over; possessed of; hence, controlling, keeping in hand. Ἑγκράτεια temperance, Acts 24:25; Galatians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:6. Εγκρατεύεσθαι to contain one's self, 1 Corinthians 7:9; 1 Corinthians 9:25.