Bible Commentaries

The apostle then proceeded to show what the behavior of aged men, aged women, and young men in the Church should be. In connection with the behavior of bond-servants Paul employed what is perhaps the most beautiful description of godly behavior when he said, that "they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." While it is still only a theory doctrine lacks the manifestation of beauty. When, however, it is realized and manifested in human life its beauty at once appears. The value of a theory is always supremely apparent in the results it produces.

If these were the duties of the Church, the apostle now proceeded to show what were the resources at the disposal of every Christian. In a passage of singular beauty and power he declared the fourfold value of the grace of God. That grace appeared in the First Advent, and brought salvation to all men. Salvation, then, is the fundamental fact. It brings cleansing from sin, and enlightenment. Grace then proceeds to teaching. This teaching conditions the life of man in relation to all the forces with which it comes in contact. The word "soberly" refers to the world within; "righteously," to the world around; and "godly," to the world above. The life of the Christian is set in the light of the Second Advent, when there will be an epiphany of glory. All this is then set in the light of the work of Christ. The salvation which grace brings is experimentally the redemption from iniquity which Christ accomplishes. The instruction which grace imparts is the perfection which issues from identification with Christ. The denial of ungodliness results from the possession by God which Christ ensures. The hope which grace presents is the impulse to the service which Christ creates.