Albert Barnes Commentary Titus 2:14

"who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works." — Titus 2:14 (ASV)

Who gave himself for us. See the notes on Ephesians 5:2.

That he might redeem us from all iniquity. The word here translated redeem, lutrow, occurs only here, in Luke 24:21, and in 1 Peter 1:18. The noun, however—lutron—occurs in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, where it is translated ransom. See this explained in the notes on Matthew 20:28.

It is here said that the object of his giving himself was to save his people from all iniquity. See this explained in the notes on Matthew 1:21.

And purify unto himself.

1. Purify them, or make them holy. This is the first and leading object. See the notes on Hebrews 9:14.

2. Unto himself: that is, they are no longer to be regarded as their own, but as redeemed for his own service, and for the promotion of his glory. See the notes on 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20.

A peculiar people, 1 Peter 2:9. The word used here (periousiov) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, having abundance; and then one's own, what is special, or peculiar (Robinson's Lexicon); and here means that they were to be regarded as belonging to the Lord Jesus. It does not mean, as the word would seem to imply—and as is undoubtedly true—that they are to be a peculiar people in the sense that they are to be unlike others, or to have views and principles peculiar to themselves; but that they belong to the "Saviour" in contrast to belonging to themselves—"peculiar," or his own in the sense that a man's property is his own and does not belong to others.

This passage, therefore, should not be used to prove that Christians should be unlike others in their manner of living, but that they belong to Christ as his redeemed people. From that it may indeed be inferred that they should be unlike others, but that is not the direct teaching of the passage.

Zealous of good works. As the result of their redemption; that is, this is one object of their having been redeemed. See the notes on Ephesians 2:10.