CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
Titus 3:13. Zenas the lawyer.—Otherwise unknown. Either a Jew learned in the Scriptures, or a juris consultus. Perhaps the “lawyer” may show what he was before conversion, like Matthew “the publican.”
Titus 3:14. Let ours also.—R.V. “our people.” Good works.—Not for salvation (see Titus 3:5), but for necessary wants.
Titus 3:15. Them that love us.—That are dear to us as we are to them.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Titus 3:12-15
Concluding Counsels—
I. Indicate an absorbing interest in the welfare of the Church (Titus 3:12-13).—Artemas or Tychicus is to succeed Titus in Crete, so that he may join Paul at Nicopolis, the city of victory, so called from the great historic battle of Actium, and in which city Paul is arranging to spend the winter. He summons Titus to his side to help him in the work, or to give him directions as to extending missionary operations and breaking up new ground. Zenas and Apollos are to be supplied with all the means necessary for their journey and the exigencies of their work. Paul forgets himself in his absorbing devotion to the work of God. The cause of Christ must be supreme, and everything else subsidiary and made helpful to its support and diffusion.
II. Emphasis is laid on the necessity of maintaining good works (Titus 3:14).—Active benevolence is a fruit of grace. Thus early in Church history it is discovered and enforced that true religion is intensely practical, and recommends itself by the life and conduct it produces. The needs of the Church and of the world afford unceasing opportunities for doing good. Our benevolent acts may be abused, but that is no reason for ceasing to be generous. “I would rather,” said a Christian philanthropist,” relieve two undeserving objects than that one deserving person should escape my notice.” Mark Antony, when depressed and at the ebb of fortune, declared he had lost all, except what he had given away.
III. Finally express the best Christian wishes (Titus 3:15).—Christian greeting is special and personal—“All that are with me salute thee”; and it is general and all-inclusive—“them that love us in the faith”; and in both cases it is genuine and sincere. The best Christian wishes are summed up in the benediction of grace to all—“Grace be with you all.” The heathen salutation was “health.” There is a life of the flesh and there is a life of the spirit—a truer, more real, and higher life; above and beyond all, the apostle wished them this, not health or happiness, but grace—the wealth of the gospel compressed into one great benediction.
Lessons.—
1. The best Christian worker is the happiest.
2. Christianity is a system of active benevolence.
3. The Christian minister finds among his people constant themes for prayer.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
Titus 3:12-14. A Good Man’s Personal Concerns.
I. Personal selection of agents.
II. Personal desire for companionship.
III. Personal consideration for absent friends.
IV. Personal solicitude for the spiritual prosperity of others.
Titus 3:15. A Closing Salutation—
I. Indicates the strength of Christian friendship.
II. Is crowned by a solemn benediction.—F. W.