Charles Spurgeon Commentary Titus 3
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Titus 3
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Titus 3
Commentary Groups
This author has written multiple commentaries over their lifetime on this chapter. We have grouped their commentaries for easier reading."Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men." — Titus 3:1-2 (ASV)
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.
Gentleness was not considered a virtue among the Greeks; I do not suppose that the people in Crete had ever heard of it before Paul wrote this Epistle to Titus. Among the Romans and the Greeks, it seemed to be a virtue to stand up for oneself, to be like a gamecock, who is always ready to fight and will never miss a chance of fighting; but this Christian virtue of gentleness is a most amiable one and greatly adorns the doctrine of Christ.
The world has run away with this word "gentle," and now calls many a person a "gentleman" who has no right to the name. I wish that every gentleman were indeed a gentle man.
It is very significant that Moses, the type of the Lord Jesus under the Law, was the meekest of men; should Christians not therefore excel in gentleness under this milder dispensation?
"For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared," — Titus 3:3-4 (ASV)
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
"The philanthropy of God" would be a good translation, or rather, a sort of borrowing from the Greek itself. "After we had seen the philanthropy of God,"—
"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)
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
You see, they were a rough, wild, rebellious people in Crete, and Christianity comes to civilize, to sober, to sanctify, to save.
"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 of no man,
Oh, how necessary is this exhortation even to this day!
To be no brawler, but gentle, shewing all meekness, unto all men.
Meekness and gentleness are two of the ornaments of our faith. I would that some professed Christians would understand that unholy contentiousness is not after the mind of Christ, it is not according to that gracious command, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls." No, the Christian must be willing to suffer wrongfully, and to bear it in patience; he is never to be one who renders evil for evil, or railing for railing.
"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)
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,
Well, then, if other people are foolish, we ought to bear with them.
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