Titus 1 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1According to the faith of God's elect (kata pistin eklekton theou). Here kata expresses the aim of Paul's apostleship, not the standard by which he was chosen as in Php 3:14 ; a classic idiom, repeated here with epignosin, eusebeian, epitagen, "with a view to" in each case. For "God's elect" see Ro 8:33; Col 3:12 .
The knowledge (epignosin). "Full knowledge," one of Paul's favourite words. For the phrase see 1Ti 2:4 .
Which is according to godliness (tes kat' eusebeian). "The (truth) with a view to godliness." The combination of faith and full knowledge of the truth is to bring godliness on the basis of the hope of life eternal.
2God who cannot lie (o apseudes theos). "The non-lying God." Old adjective (a privative and pseudes), here only in N.T. See 2Ti 2:13 . In Polycarp's last prayer.
Promised (epengeilato). First aorist middle indicative of epangello. Antithesis in ephanerosen de (manifested) in verse 3 (first aorist active indicative of phaneroo). Same contrast in Ro 16:25; Col 1:26 .
Before times eternal (pro chronon aionon). Not to God's purpose before time began (Eph 1:4; 2Ti 1:9 ), but to definite promises (Ro 9:4 ) made in time (Lock). "Long ages ago." See Ro 16:25 .
3In his own seasons (kairois idiois). Locative case. See 1Ti 2:6; 6:15 .
In the message (en kerugmat). See 1Co 1:21; 2:4 for this word, the human proclamation (preaching) of God's word.
Wherewith I was intrusted (o episteuthen). Accusative relative o retained with the first aorist passive indicative of pisteuo as in 1Ti 1:11 . See 1Ti 2:7 .
Of God our Saviour (tou soteros emon theou). In verse 4 he applies the words "tou soteros emon" to Christ. In 2:13 he applies both theou and soteros to Christ.
4My true child (gnesio tekno). See 1Ti 1:2 for this adjective with Timothy. Titus is not mentioned in Acts, possibly because he is Luke's brother. But one can get a clear picture of him by turning to 2Co 2:13; 7:6-15; 8:6-24; 12:16-18; Ga 2:1-3; Tit 1:4f.; 3:12; 2Ti 4:10 . He had succeeded in Corinth where Timothy had failed. Paul had left him in Crete as superintendent of the work there. Now he writes him from Nicopolis (Tit 3:12 ).
After a common faith (kata koinen pistin). Here kata does mean standard, not aim, but it is a faith (pistin) common to a Gentile (a Greek) like Titus as well as to a Jew like Paul and so common to all races and classes (Jude 1:3 ). Koinos does not here have the notion of unclean as in Ac 10:14; 11:8 .
5For this cause (toutou charin). In N.T. only here and Eph 3:1,14 . Paul may be supplementing oral instruction as in Timothy's case and may even be replying to a letter from Titus (Zahn).
Left I thee in Crete (apeleipon se en Krete). This is the imperfect active of apoleipo, though MSS. give the aorist active also (apelipon) and some read kateleipon or katelipon. Both are common verbs, though Paul uses kataleipo only in 1Th 3:1 except two quotations (Ro 11:4; Eph 5:31 ) and apoleipo only here and 2Ti 4:13,20 . Perhaps apoleipo suggests a more temporary stay than kataleipo. Paul had apparently stopped in Crete on his return from Spain about A.D. 65.
That thou shouldest set in order (ina epidiorthose). Late and rare double compound (inscriptions, here only in N.T.), first aorist middle subjunctive (final clause with ina) of epidiorthoo, to set straight (orthoo) thoroughly (dia) in addition (ep), a clean job of it.
The things that were wanting (ta leiponta). "The things that remain." See 3:13; Lu 18:22 . Either things left undone or things that survive. In both senses the new pastor faces problems after the tornado has passed. Parry takes it "of present defects" in Cretan character.
And appoint (ka katasteseis). Final clause still and first aorist active subjunctive of kathistem, the word used in Ac 6:13 about the deacons. The word does not preclude the choice by the churches (in every city, kata polin, distributive use of kata). This is a chief point in the epidorthosis (White).
Elders (presbuterous). See 1Ti 3:2; 4:17 .
As I gave thee charge (os ego so dietaxamen). First aorist (constative) middle imperative of diatasso, clear reference to previous personal details given to Titus on previous occasions.
6Blameless (anenkletos). In a condition of first class. Used in 1Ti 3:10 of deacons which see.
That believe (pista). Added to what is in 1Ti 3:4 . "Believing children."
Not accused of riot (me en kategoria asotias). See 1Ti 5:19 for kategoria and Eph 5:18 for asotia. "Not in accusation of profligacy."
Unruly (anupotakta). See 1Ti 1:9 . Public disorder, out of doors. See also verse 10.
7The bishop (ton episkopon). Same office as "elder" in 1:5. "Elder is the title, oversight is the function" (B. Weiss).
As God's steward (os theou oikonomon). See 1Co 4:1f. for Paul's idea of the bishop (elder) as God's steward (cf. 1Co 9:17; Col 1:25; Eph 3:2; 1Ti 1:4 ).
Not self-willed (me authade). Old word (from autos, edoma), self-pleasing, arrogant. In N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:10 .
Not soon angry (orgilon). Old adjective from orge (anger). Here only in N.T. Vulgate, iracundum. For "brawler" and "striker" see 1Ti 3:2 .
Not greedy of filthy lucre (aischrokerde). "Not greedy of shameful gain." Used of deacons in 1Ti 3:8 , aphilarguron used of elders in 1Ti 3:3 .
8A lover of good (philagathon). Late double compound (philos, agathos). See Wisdom 7:22. Here only in N.T. Just (dikaion), holy (osion) not in 1Ti 3 .
Temperate (enkrate). Old and common adjective (en, kratos, strength), having power over, controlling, here only in N.T. Picture of self-control.
9Holding to (antechomenon). Present middle participle of antecho, old verb, to hold back, in middle to hold oneself face to face with, to cling to, as in 1Th 5:14 .
The faithful word (tou pistou logou). See 1Ti 1:15; 6:3; Ro 16:17 . Some would see a reference here to Christ as the Personal Logos.
That he may be able (ina dunatos e). Final clause with present active subjunctive. Paul several times uses dunatos eim in the sense of dunama, with infinitive as here (Ro 4:21; 11:23; 2Ti 1:12 ).
The gainsayers (tous antilegontas). Present active participle of antilego, old word, to answer back, as in Ro 10:21 . "The talkers back."
10Vain talkers (mataiologo). Late and rare compound, empty talkers, in Vett. Val. and here. See 1Ti 1:6 for mataiologia.
Deceivers (phrenapata). Late and rare compound, in papyri, eccl. writers, here alone in N.T. "Mind-deceivers." See Ga 6:3 for phrenapatain.
Specially they of the circumcision (malista o ek tes peritomes). Same phrase in Ac 11:2; Ga 2:12; Col 4:11 . Jews are mentioned in Crete in Ac 2:11 . Apparently Jewish Christians of the Pharisaic type tinged with Gnosticism.
11Whose mouths must be stopped (ous de epistomizein). Literally, "whom it is necessary to silence by stopping the mouth." Present active infinitive epistomizein, old and common verb (ep, stoma, mouth), here only in N.T. To stop the mouth either with bridle or muzzle or gag.
Overthrow (anatrepousin). Old and common verb, to turn up, to overturn. In N.T. only here and 2Ti 2:18 . In papyri to upset a family by perversion of one member.
Things which they ought not (a me de). Note subjective negative me with indefinite relative and indicative mode.
For filthy lucre's sake (aischrou kerdous charin). The Cretans are given a bad reputation for itinerating prophets for profit by Polybius, Livy, Plutarch. Paul's warnings in 1Ti 3:3,8; 6:5 reveal it as "a besetting temptation of the professional teacher" (Parry). See verse 7 above. Disgraceful gain, made in shameful ways.
12A prophet of their own (idios auton prophetes). "Their own prophet." Self-styled "prophet" (or poet), and so accepted by the Cretans and by Cicero and Apuleius, that is Epimenides who was born in Crete at Cnossos. It is a hexameter line and Callimachus quoted the first part of it in a Hymn to Zeus. It is said that Epimenides suggested to the Athenians the erection of statues to "unknown gods" (Ac 17:23 ).
Liars (pseusta). See 1Ti 1:10 for the word. The Cretans had a bad reputation on this line, partly due to their claim to having the tomb of Zeus.
Evil beasts (kaka theria). "Wicked wild beasts." Lock asks if the Minotaur was partly responsible.
Idle gluttons (gasteres arga). "Idle bellies." Blunt and forceful. See Php 3:19 "whose god is the belly" (e koilia). Both words give the picture of the sensual gormandizer.
13Testimony (marturia). Of the poet Epimenides. Paul endorses it from his recent knowledge.
Sharply (apotomos). Old adverb from apotomos (from apotemno, to cut off), in N.T. only here and 2Co 13:10 , "curtly," "abruptly." It is necessary to appear rude sometimes for safety, if the house is on fire and life is in danger.
That they may be sound (ina ugiainosin). Final clause with ina and present active subjunctive of ugiaino, for which verb see on 1Ti 1:10 .
14See 1Ti 1:4 for prosechÂo and muthois, only here we have Jewish (Ioudaikois) added. Perhaps a reference to the oral traditions condemned by Christ in Mr 7:2-8 . See also Col 2:22 , apparently Pharisaic type of Gnostics.
Who turn away from the truth (apostrephomenon). Present middle (direct) participle of apostrepho, "men turning themselves away from the truth" (accusative according to regular idiom). "The truth" (1Ti 4:3 ) is the gospel (Eph 4:21 ).
15To them that are defiled (tois memiammenois). Perfect passive articular participle of miaino, old verb, to dye with another colour, to stain, in N.T. only here, Jude 1:8; Heb 12:15 . See memianta (perf. pass. indic.) in this verse. Moluno (1Co 8:7 ) is to smear.
Unbelieving (apistois). As in 1Co 7:12f.; 1Ti 5:8 . The principle or proverb just quoted appears also in 1Co 6:12; 10:23; Ro 14:20 . For the defilement of mind (nous) and conscience (suneidesis) in both Gentile and Jew by sin, see Ro 1:18-2:29 .
16They profess (omologousin). Present active indicative of omologeo, common verb (omou, lego) as in Ro 10:10f . Eidena (know) is second perfect active infinitive of oida in indirect assertion.
By their works (tois ergois). Instrumental case.
They deny (arnounta). Present middle of arneoma, old verb, common in the Gospels and the Pastoral Epistles (1Ti 5:8; Tit 2:12; 2Ti 2:12 ).
Abominable (bdelukto). Verbal adjective from bdelussoma. Only in LXX and here.
Disobedient (apeitheis). See Ro 1:30 .
Reprobate (adokimo). See on 1Co 9:27; Ro 1:28 .
Titus 2