Bible Commentaries
Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament
Titus 3
To be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient (αρχαις εχουσιαις υποτασσεσται πειταρχειν archais exousiais hupotassesthai peitharchein). Remarkable double asyndeton, no και kai (and) between the two substantives or the two verbs. Πειταρχειν Peitharchein (to obey), old verb (from πειτομαι αρχη peithomaiπρος παν εργον αγατον ετοιμους ειναι archē), in N.T. only here and Acts 27:21.
To be ready unto every good work (ετοιμος pros pan ergon agathon hetoimous einai). Pauline phrase (2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:17), here adjective hetoimos (2 Corinthians 9:5), there verb.
To speak evil (βλασπημειν blasphēmein). See note on Colossians 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:4.
Not to be contentious (αμαχους ειναι amachous einai). “To be non-fighters” (1 Timothy 3:3), originally “invincible.”
Gentle (επιεικεις epieikeis). See note on 1 Timothy 3:3.
Meekness (πραυτητα prautēta). Πραοτητα Praotēta See note on Colossians 3:12.
Aforetime (ποτε pote). “Once” in our unconverted state as in Ephesians 2:3.
Foolish (ανοητοι anoētoi). See Romans 1:14, Romans 1:21.
Disobedient (απειτεις apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30.
Deceived (πλανωμενοι planōmenoi). Present passive participle of πλαναω planaō though the middle is possible.
Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις hēdonais poikilais). “Pleasures” (ηδοναις hēdonais from ηδομαι hēdomai old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1, James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc.
Living (διαγοντες diagontes). See note on 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον bion).
In malice (εν κακιαι en kakiāi). See note on Romans 1:29.
Envy (πτονωι phthonōi). See note on Romans 1:29.
Hateful (στυγητοι stugētoi). Late passive verbal from στυγεω stugeō to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T.
Hating one another (μισουντες αλληλους misountes allēlous). Active sense and natural result of being “hateful.”
The kindness (η χρηστοτης hē chrēstotēs). See note on Romans 2:4 for this very word used of God as here.
His love toward man (η πιλαντρωπια hē philanthrōpia). “The philanthrophy of God our Saviour.” Old word from πιλαντρωπος philanthrōpos for love of mankind, in N.T. only here and Acts 28:2.
Appeared (επεπανη epephanē). See note on Acts 2:11 and here as there the Incarnation of Christ. See note on 1 Timothy 1:1 for σωτηρ sōtēr with τεος theos (God).
Done (not in the Greek, only the article των tōn), “not as a result of works those in righteousness which we did.” Same idea as in Romans 3:20.
According to his mercy he saved us (κατα το αυτου ελεος εσωσεν kata to autou eleos esōsen). See Psalm 109:26; 1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:4. Effective aorist active indicative of σωζω sōzō
Through the washing of regeneration (δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας dia loutrou palingenesias). 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 apokatastasia in Acts 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον loutron see note on Ephesians 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 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 (και ανακαινωσεως πνευματος αγιου kai anakainōseōs pneumatos hagiou). “And renewal by the Holy Spirit” (subjective genitive). For the late word ανακαινωσις anakainōsis see note on Romans 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.
Which (ου hou). Genitive case by attraction from ο ho (grammatical gender) to the case of πνευματος αγιου pneumatos hagiou We do not have grammatical gender (only natural) in English. Hence here we should say “whom,” even if it does not go smoothly with εχεχεεν execheen (he poured out, second aorist active indicative of εκχεω ekcheō). The reference is to the great Pentecost (Acts 2:33) as foretold by Joel (Joel 2:28).
Richly (πλουσιως plousiōs). Then and to each one in his own experience. See note on Romans 10:12; 1 Timothy 6:17.
Being justified by his grace (δικαιωτεντες τηι εκεινου χαριτι dikaiōthentes tēi ekeinou chariti). First aorist passive participle of δικαιοω dikaioō and instrumental case of χαρις charis as in Romans 3:24; Romans 5:1.
That we might be made heirs (ινα κληρονομοι γενητωμεν hina klēronomoi genēthōmen). Purpose with ινα hina and first aorist passive of γινομαι ginomai See note on Romans 4:13; Romans 8:17.
The saying (ο λογος ho logos). In Titus 3:4-7.
I will (βουλομαι boulomai). See note on 1 Timothy 2:8.
That thou affirm confidently (σε διαβεβαιουσται se diabebaiousthai). Indirect command. For the verb see note on 1 Timothy 1:7.
That they may be careful (ινα προντιζωσιν hina phrontizōsin). Sub-final use of ινα hina with present active subjunctive of προντιζω phrontizō old verb, only here in N.T.
To maintain good works (καλων εργων προστασται kalōn ergōn pro). Present middle infinitive of προιστημι proistēmi intransitive use, to stand before, to take the lead in, to care for. Paul is anxious that “believers” may take the lead in good works.
Fightings about the law (μαχας νομικας machas nomikas). “Legal battles.” See note on 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23. Wordy fights about Mosaic and Pharisaic and Gnostic regulations.
Shun (περιιστασο periistaso). Present middle imperative of περιιστημι periistēmi intransitive, step around, stand aside (2 Timothy 2:16). Common in this sense in the literary Koiné.
Unprofitable (ανωπελεις anōpheleis). Old compound adjective (α a privative and οπελος ophelos), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 7:18.
Heretical (αιρετικον hairetikon). Old adjective from αιρεσις hairesis (αιρεομαι haireomai to choose), a choosing of a party (sect, Acts 5:17) or of teaching (2 Peter 2:1). Possibly a schism had been started here in Crete.
Refuse (παραιτου paraitou). Present middle imperative of παραιτεω paraiteō to ask from, to beg off from. See same form in 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 5:11. Possibly an allusion here to Christ‘s directions in Matthew 18:15-17.
Is perverted (εχεστραπται exestraptai). Perfect passive indicative of εκστρεπω ekstrephō old word to turn inside out, to twist, to pervert. Only here in N.T.
Self-condemned (αυτοκατακριτος autokatakritos). Only known example of this double compound verbal adjective (αυτοσ κατα κρινω autoskatakrinō).
When I shall send (οταν πεμπσω hotan pempsō). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν hotan and the first aorist active subjunctive (or future indicative) of πεμπω pempō (same form).
Artemas (Αρτεμαν Artemān). Perhaps abbreviation of Artemidorus. Nothing more is known of him.
Or Tychicus (η Τυχικον ē Tuchikon). Paul‘s well-known disciple (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12).
To Nicopolis (εις Νικοπολιν eis Nikopolin). Probably in Epirus, a good place for work in Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10).
I have determined (κεκρικα kekrika). Perfect active indicative. I have decided.
To winter there (εκει παραχειμασαι ekei paracheimasai). First aorist active infinitive of παραχειμαζω paracheimazō a literary Koiné{[28928]}š word for which see note on Acts 27:12; note on 1 Corinthians 16:6.
Zenas the lawyer (ηναν τον νομικον Zēnān ton nomikon). Possibly abbreviation of Zenodorus and may be one of the bearers of the Epistle with Apollos. Probably an expert in the Mosaic law as the word means in the Gospels. A converted Jewish lawyer. The Latin term is jurisconsultum for νομικον nomikon
Apollos (Απολλων Apollōn). Paul‘s friend (Acts 18:24-19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12.).
Set forward (προπεμπσον propempson). First aorist active imperative of προπεμπω propempō old verb, to send on ahead (1 Corinthians 16:6, 1 Corinthians 16:11; Romans 15:24).
That nothing be wanting unto them (ινα μηδεν αυτοις λειπηι hina mēden autois leipēi). Purpose with ινα hina and present (or second aorist λιπηι lipēi some MSS.) subjunctive of λειπω leipō old verb to leave, to remain, to lack. With dative case here (αυτοις autois).
Our people (οι ημετεροι hoi hēmeteroi). “Our folks.” The Cretan converts, not just Paul‘s friends.
Let learn (μαντανετωσαν manthanetōsan). Present active imperative, keep on learning how.
To maintain (προστασται pro). See Titus 3:8.
For necessary uses (εις αναγκαιας χρειας eis anagkaias chreias). “For necessary wants.” No idlers wanted. See 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Unfruitful (ακαρποι akarpoi). See note on 1 Corinthians 14:14; Ephesians 5:11.
That love us (τους πιλουντας ημας tous philountas hēmās). Paul craved the love of his friends as opposed to Titus 2:8.
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