CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
Titus 1:1. Paul, a servant of God.—R.V. margin, “Gr. bond-servant.” This designation, which indicates generally the official position, is not usually found in the inscriptions of the Pauline epistles. In Romans and Philippians we have “servant of Jesus Christ.” According to the faith.—A somewhat difficult expression, but meaning apparently “with reference to the faith.”
Titus 1:2. God, that cannot lie.—Since we have no negative term that says what the adjective says in the original, we must so translate. The apostle wants to bring out God’s eternal antipathy to falsity.
Titus 1:3. In due times.—R.V. “in his own seasons”—a contrast to the words “before the world began” (A.V.) or “before times eternal” (R.V.) in Titus 1:2.
Titus 1:4. Titus, mine own son.—R.V. “my true child.” The same title of honour is given to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2). After the common faith.—The faith in which Paul and Titus alike are sharers. How the inclusion of all Christians with them would be too general does not appear.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Titus 1:1-4
An Apostolic Salutation—
I. Sets forth the authority and scope of the apostolic office.—
1. Its authority is Divine. “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (Titus 1:1). “Which is committed unto me” (Titus 1:3). In confronting the false teachers, Paul is always careful to insist upon his Divine call to the apostleship, in contrast with their self-constituted authority. There are times of doubt and trial when the minister of the gospel has to fall back upon the assurance of the Divine call: about this he has no doubt; here the anchor holds.
2. Its scope is the preaching of the gospel of hope.
(1) The hope of eternal life. “In hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2). On this hope the apostle rested his desire and aim to advance the faith of God’s people and their fuller knowledge of the truth.
(2) A gospel long promised and at length revealed. “Which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested His word through preaching” (Titus 1:2-3). The gospel was in the Divine mind before the ages began, was then promised to the world in the earliest history of man, was dimly and gradually unfolded to suit the stages of human development, and finally was fully revealed by preaching.
(3) A gospel intended to promote godliness through faith. “According to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness” (Titus 1:1). Faith is a faculty susceptible of growth. Faith apprehends the meaning of the gospel, and then appropriates its power to live a godly life.
II. Addressed to one who is highly esteemed.—“To Titus, mine own son after the common faith” (Titus 1:4). Paul regards Titus as his genuine child, as he was the instrument of his conversion to the faith which is common to all the people of God, comprising believers in all nations into a common brotherhood, Gentiles as well as Jews, and therefore including Titus, who was himself a Gentile. The preacher regards his converts with unusual affection, and is deeply interested in their progress in grace and usefulness.
III. Invokes the impartation of richest blessings.—“Grace, mercy, and peace” (Titus 1:4). “Mercy” is omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; but one of the best and oldest manuscripts supports it. Mercy and peace spring out of grace, the fountain of all blessings. If we have God’s favour, we have every blessing the soul can need or that Christ can bestow.
Lessons.—
1. The Christian teacher should have a firm grasp of truth.
2. The veteran minister is full of wise and loving counsels to the young.
3. Good wishes to others is genuine Christian courtesy.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
Titus 1:1. “The truth which is after godliness.”
The Gospel of Truth.
I. The gospel is simply a truth.
II. It is an operative truth.
III. It operates to the best effect.—It produces godliness.
1. Giving a right notion of God.
2. A right notion of what concerns the duty of man.
Lessons.—
1. The nature and prime design of religion is to be an instrument of good life.
2. That so much knowledge as is sufficient to engage men in the practice of godliness serves the necessary ends of religion.
3. That whatever undermines the motives of a good life is contrary to and destructive of religion.—South.
Titus 1:2. The Gospel Revelation.
I. A glorious prospect.—“Eternal life.”
II. A truth-speaking God.
III. An old-standing promise.—“Before the world began.”
Titus 1:3. The Preaching of the Word.
I. A timely revelation.
II. A sacred trust.
III. A Divine commission.
Titus 1:4. A Christian Greeting.
I. Recognising a spiritual relationship.
II. Invoking a threefold blessing.
III. Describing the source and medium of the blessing.—F. W.