Titus 2:11,12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For the grace of God—hath appeared, &c.— The word Χαρις properly signifies favour, and in the sacred writings expresses the free and unmerited goodness of God, in sending his only begotten Son to declare his will, and to redeem us from our iniquities by his death. Sometimes the effects of this wonderful kindness of God,—as the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost,—are called grace; and sometimes the gospel itself is expressedby this same word (Colossians 1:6.); in which sense it is to be understood in the passage before us: when the apostle says that the gospel, or the grace of God manifested in the gospel, hath appeared, hath risen, or shined out to allmen, he alludes to the appearance of the heavenly bodies, and the brightness and glory with which they shine upon the world. Our blessed Lord is himself compared to a light shining in darkness, John 1:5 and the apostles are spoken of under the same image, Matthew 5:14. The original of the 11th verse appeared ambiguous to our translators; for though they render it in the text the grace of God—hath appeared to all men, (according to which they may be understood of the gospel's being preached not only unto Jews, but to men of all nations, and of all ranks and orders in life;) yet they have given a different turn to the words in their marginal reading, which is,—the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men, hath appeared: and as the original will very well admit of this sense, so it is certainly agreeable to the other scriptures, and to the gracious purpose of God, which is well expressed by St. Paul, 1 Timothy 2:4. This grace of God, which offers salvation to all men, of every rank and degree, does not however disengage any from the obligations that they are under to lead a holy life; but teaches us that, denying ungodliness, &c. which words contain a brief summary of the whole Christian practice. By ungodliness, we may understand atheism and irreligion, blasphemy, perjury, profane cursing and swearing, contempt of God, a want of due reverence to him, neglect of his worship, judging hardly, or speaking disrespectfully of his providence,—disobedience to his will. By worldly lusts may be understood those other vices of mankind, which are called the works of the flesh; (Galatians 5:19; Galatians 5:26.)—every thing contrary to the sobriety and righteousness recommended in the next sentence; the former of which consists in the right government of our natural appetites and passions, while the latter comprehends all the duties which we owe to our neighbours. Godliness or piety consists in that high veneration, and those just conceptions, which we should entertain of the Supreme Being, expressed by prayer and thanksgiving, by loving and fearing him, putting our trust in him, and submitting to him in all events.