Titus 3

— to maintain good works.] That is, to practise them ourselves, and by our example and exhortation to encourage others to practise them; and to argue in their defence against those who speak of them slightly, as not necessary to salvation. In this, as in other passages of Scripture, “good works” signify virtuous actions in general, but especially charitable and beneficent actions. See Matt. v. 16; John x. 33; 1 Tim. v. 10; vi. 18. Dr. Macknight.

— reject:] That is, have no more to do with him, but excommunicate him. Dr. Wells.

Titus 3:5

5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done.] Namely, of our own natural strength, without the grace or assistance of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Wells. The Apostle here speaks of “works of righteousness done” before faith, before the laver of regeneration: but he does not in the least exclude the works of righteousness, which Christians should afterwards do, by virtue of the new nature given to them, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, from being conditions of their future happiness. Dr. Whitby, Burkitt.

— according to his mercy he saved us.] The meaning of the Apostle is, that God by His free mercy brought us from a state of wrath and condemnation into the way of salvation, in which if we walk and continue, we shall assuredly obtain salvation. Dr. Whitby. See the notes on 1 Cor. xv. 2; Eph. ii. 8.

— by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.] By the means of those holy ordinances which He hath appointed; and namely, as one of them, by the holy sacrament of baptism, which is the laver of our spiritual regeneration, yet not by any virtue of the outward sign, but by the inward renovation which is wrought in us by the Holy Ghost. Bp. Hall. By means of the baptismal covenant and sacra-

We are heirs through grace to the hope of eternal life. Anno DOMINI 63. Or. Philip.

Titus 3:7

7.—being justified by his grace.] The Apostle is the next verse saith, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” And as he here teaches us that we are “justified by grace,” so does he instruct us, that this grace hath appeared for this very end, “to teach us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope:” clearly intimating, that without living godly, righteously, and soberly, we cannot reasonably hope for happiness at our Lord’s second coming. Wherefore these words could never have been intended to excuse Christians from a necessity of being holy, in order to their being happy. Dr. Whitby.

Titus 3:8

8. This is a faithful saying, &c.] The Apostle, having in the foregoing verses spoken of justification by grace without works of righteousness, here immediately gives a strict and solemn charge to Titus, to press the necessity of good works upon those who believe and embrace the Gospel, on purpose to prevent all mistakes and abuse of the doctrine of justification by faith, and the free grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ: intimating, that they, who are justified by the faith of the Gospel, should be so far from thinking themselves hereby excused from good works, that they ought on that account to be more careful to maintain and practise them, because, by the very profession of the Christian religion, they have solemnly engaged themselves so to do. From the Apostle’s vehement asseveration, “This is a faithful saying,” and from his solemn

Obstinate hereticks to be rejected. Paul concludeth with salutations. Anno DOMINI 65.

constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:9

9. But avoid foolish questions, &c.] See 1 Tim. i. 4, and the note there. And from the Apostle’s language both there and here, learn this excellent rule; that disputes about matters, which only serve to beget strife and contention, but tend little to edification in the faith, or to “the edifying of the body in love,” Eph. iv. 16, or to the promoting of that doctrine which is after godliness, 1 Tim. vi. 3, are vain talking and unprofitable disputes. Dr. Whitby, Burkitt.

Titus 3:10

10. A man that is an heretick] If any man teach or hold erroneously concerning the main points of the Christian religion. Bp. Hall. An heretick is one, who takes up an opinion upon his own choice or judgment, and prefers it before the doctrine established in the church, and gathers and receives disciples or followers to himself, in opposition to, or separation and division from, the church: according to which the heretick is defined by that learned grammarian Hesychius, as ‘be that chooseth to have some other opinion or doctrine, besides, or in opposition to, or in preference to, the truth.’ The name, however, belongs, not only to those who are the first in disseminating a false doctrine, but

to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Titus 3:11

11. — is subverted.] Or turned away from the truth, so as not to be reclaimed; “and sinneth” in the highest manner, as sinning against his own conscience, and so “being condemned of himself:” and therefore since this self-condemnation will not work upon him, there is no hope to think of reclaiming him by conviction. Dr. Wells.

— being condemned of himself.] Or by his own conscience; as knowing that he acts in violation of such plain and important precepts of our Lord, as those contained in Matt. xxiii. 8, 10. Parkhurst.

Titus 3:12

12. — Artemas—Tychicus.] “Tychicus” is often mentioned in St. Paul’s Epistles. Of “Artemas” we know nothing. Dr. Macknight.

— Nicopolis:] Several cities of this name are mentioned in ancient authors: one, not far from Philippi, in Macedonia; another in Epirus, which took its rise and name from the victory of Augustus at Actium. It is uncertain which is here meant. Dr. Doddridge.

Titus 3:13

13. — Zenas the lawyer and Apollos] “Zenas” is mentioned in this passage only: he had formerly been a teacher of the law among the Jews, or he was a Roman lawyer. It would seem that “Zenas and Apollos” were to pass through Crete, either in their way to the Apostle, or to some other place whither he had sent them. He therefore desired Titus to help them forward on their journey. Dr. Macknight.

Titus 3:14

14. And let our’s also learn to maintain good works &c.] And stir up those who profess themselves to be our disciples and well-willers, that they be ready and forward to do all works of charity and beneficence. Bp. Hall.

Titus 3:15

15. — Grace be with you all.] This plainly intimates, that although the Epistle be written by name to Titus, yet it was intended for the benefit and advantage of the whole Cretan church. Burkitt.

The following Verses from The Epistle to Titus are appointed as a Proper Lesson:

CHAP. III…ver. 4-9, Christmas Day,… Evening.