A.T. Robertson Commentary Titus 3
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Titus 3
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Titus 3
"Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work," — Titus 3:1 (ASV)
To be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient (αρχαις εξουσιαις υποτασσεσθα πειθαρχειν). Remarkable double asyndeton, no κα (and) between the two substantives or the two verbs. Πειθαρχειν (to obey), old verb (from πειθομαι, αρχη), in N.T. only here and Ac 27:21.
To be ready unto every good work (προς παν εργον αγαθον ετοιμους εινα). Pauline phrase (2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:17), here adjective ετοιμος (2 Corinthians 9:5), there verb.
"to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men." — Titus 3:2 (ASV)
To speak evil (βλασφημειν). See Col 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:4.
Not to be contentious (αμαχους εινα). "To be non-fighters" (1 Timothy 3:3), originally "invincible."
Gentle (επιεικεις). See 1 Timothy 3:3.
Meekness (πραυτητα). Πραοτητα. See Col 3:12.
"For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another." — Titus 3:3 (ASV)
Aforetime (ποτε). "Once" in our unconverted state as in Eph 2:3.
Foolish (ανοητο). See Ro 1:14,21.
Disobedient (απειθεις). See Ro 1:30.
Deceived (πλανωμενο). Present passive participle of πλαναω though the middle is possible.
Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις). "Pleasures" (ηδοναις from ηδομα, old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1,3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις (old word) is many-coloured as in Mr 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc.
Living (διαγοντες). See 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον).
In malice (εν κακια). See Ro 1:29.
Envy (φθονω). See Ro 1:29.
Hateful (στυγητο). Late passive verbal from στυγεω, to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T.
Hating one another (μισουντες αλληλους). Active sense and natural result of being "hateful."
"But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared," — Titus 3:4 (ASV)
The kindness (η χρηστοτης). See Ro 2:4 for this very word used of God as here.
His love toward man (η φιλανθρωπια). "The philanthrophy of God our Saviour." Old word from φιλανθρωπος, for love of mankind, in N.T. only here and Ac 28:2.
Appeared (επεφανη). See 2:11 and here as there the Incarnation of Christ. See 1 Timothy 1:1 for σωτηρ with θεος (God).
"not by works [done] in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit," — Titus 3:5 (ASV)
Done (not in the Greek, only the article των), "not as a result of works those in righteousness which we did." Same idea as in Ro 3:20f.
According to his mercy he saved us (κατα το αυτου ελεος εσωσεν). See Ps 109:26; 1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:4. Effective aorist active indicative of σωζω.
Through the washing of regeneration (δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας). Late and common word with the Stoics (Dibelius) and in the Mystery-religions (Angus), also in the papyri and Philo. Only twice in the N.T. (Matthew 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια in Ac 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον, see Eph 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Ro 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it.
And renewing of the Holy Spirit (κα ανακαινωσεως πνευματος αγιου). "And renewal by the Holy Spirit" (subjective genitive). For the late word ανακαινωσις, see Ro 12:2. Here, as often, Paul has put the objective symbol before the reality. The Holy Spirit does the renewing, man submits to the baptism after the new birth to picture it forth to men.
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