Titus 3

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.


be submissive - "...to submit or subject oneself.  The same Greek word is used in Rom 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13." (Ryrie)

rulers and authorities - "...usually refer to angels (good angels as in Eph 3:10 or evil angels as in Eph 6:12), but here the reference is to human, governmental rulers.  Though Christians are a 'special' people elected by God, redeemed from the world and no longer dependent upon it, they are not above the necessity of getting along with the civil authorities who govern them.  When Paul wrote this, Nero had become an evil ruler." (Ryrie)

be ready for every good work - "—the injunction is inclusive of whatever assistance to authorities is consistent with the revealed will of God, as well as what is beneficial to all others, whether believers or otherwise.  We are exhorted to 'work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith' (Gal 6:10).  We are to be imitators of Him who 'went about doing good.' (Acts 10:38)." (Vine)

avoid quarreling - "Quarreling only arouses the hostility of non-Christians.  Christian virtues are of an opposite sort." (Ryrie)

be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people - "—the comprehensive nature of this injunction is to be noted.  The shewing, or giving manifestation of, is to be by attitude, act and speech, and that not only to fellow-believers but in all the walks of life.  The natural tendency is to complain or grumble when people, whether acting officially, or in business dealings, or in general contact, cause inconvenience or delay, or act in insulting or ill-mannered behavior.  These are the testing occasions when we are called to manifest the character of Christ and to give evidence that we are true followers of Him who could say 'I am meek and lowly in heart' (Matt 11:29).  The word 'all' before 'meekness' stands in a position of strong emphasis in the original, and suggests both a fullness of the characteristic and its manifestation at all times." (Vine)

we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another - "—the remembrance of the fact that we once manifested some of these characteristics of our unregenerate nature, should in itself be an incentive to us to fulfill the exhortations just given.  We ourselves stood in need of kindness, gentleness, meekness, on the part of others, and were so treated by God in His long-suffering.  How then can we refuse kindness to those who stand in need of it?" (Vine)

loving kindness of God our Savior - "—the moral obligations in vv. 1 and 2 are now shown to be based on God's saving grace in Christ.  The word chrestotes 'kindness,' denotes goodness in action, goodness expressing itself in deeds of grace, tenderness and compassion (as in Rom 2:4; 11:22; 2 Cor 6:6; Eph 2:7; Col 3:12; in Gal 5:22 it is rendered 'gentleness' in A.V.) ... God's kindness stands here in contrast to the malice, envy, and hatred of men." (Vine)

NOT because of works done by us in righteousness, BUT according to his own mercy - "Personal salvation is not achieved through good deeds but through the cleansing of the new birth." (Ryrie)

"—the fundamental teaching of the gospel, of the futility and worthlessness of all human efforts to obtain salvation by works, is especially prominent in Paul's Epistles, in all the periods of his epistolary ministry; see, in order, (a) Galatians 2:16; 3:11; Romans 3:20; 9:11; (b) Ephesians 2:8, 9; (c) 2 Timothy 1:9 and here." (Vine)

by the washing of regeneration - "—the word paliggenesia signifies new birth ('birth again'), i.e., spiritual regeneration.  This involves the impartation of a new life, and the operating powers which effect this are 'the word of truth,' James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23, and the Holy Spirit, John 3:5, 6.  The 'washing' does not refer to baptism; it is explained in Ephesians 5:26, 'by the washing of water with the word.'  The Word of God, received by faith at conversion, is the means, by the Spirit's operation in the heart, of the remission of sins and therefore, of the removal of their defilement..  The new birth and regeneration do not represent successive stages in spiritual experience; they refer to the same event but viewed in different ways.  The new birth stresses the communication of the spiritual life in contrast to antecedent spiritual death; regeneration stresses the inception of a new stage of things in contrast with the old.  Hence the connection of the word in its application to Israel in Matthew 19:28.  With the new birth, or regeneration, comes the washing away of sin." (Vine)

"'The washing of regeneration' (v. 5).  This should read 'The laver of regeneration.'  The reference here is to the laver at the door of the Tabernacle, in the Wilderness.  In it the priests were baptized, i.e., washed, for to baptize means to wash, the water being poured upon them.  This symbolized the New Birth.  The most effectual way of cleansing from sin is by putting to death.  In the New Birth of regeneration the believer in Christ is put to death.  He was baptized into death with Christ at Calvary and He rises into a new life with Christ in resurrection.  This is an effectual break with sin.  It is an effective washing—not the application of material water to the outward flesh, which accomplishes nothing, but the effectual action of the Holy Spirit within the soul not only regenerates but renews (v. 5) and in doing so sustains richly (v. 6 m.) the spiritual life which He imparts, thus preserving the believer unto his eternal inheritance (v. 7)." (Williams)

and - "Some regard the kai, 'and,' in this verse in  Titus, as meaning 'even,' but as Scripture elsewhere speaks of the two distinct yet associated operating powers, there is not sufficient ground for this interpretation." (Vine)

renewal of the Holy Spirit - "...means either the initial act of conversion or, possibly, continual renewing by the Spirit throughout the life of the believer.  In any case, salvation is God's gracious work, not a reward for man's worthwhile acts." (Ryrie)

"The mercy of  God is seen, therefore, also in 'renewing of the Holy Ghost.'  This is not a fresh bestowment of the Spirit, but a revival of His power, developing the Christian life.  It indicates the constant operation of the Spirit (cp. Rom 12:2), which stresses the willing response on the part of the believer in adjusting his moral and spiritual thinking to the mind of God, with the consequent transforming effect upon his life)." (Vine)

being justified by his grace - "To justify was a legal term meaning to secure a favorable verdict, to acquit, to vindicate, to declare righteous (Deut 25:1)." (Ryrie)

"—justification comes at the same time as the washing of regeneration.  Here it is shown to be the basis of more than salvation; it is the ground of a rectified relation to God." (Vine)

we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life - "—this relation to God involves our becoming 'heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ' (Rom 8:17).  All that will be ours as heirs is in accordance with the hope granted us as our present enjoyment." (Vine)

The saying is trustworthy - "—or 'faithful is the word.'  This has reference to what has just been stated in the preceding verses 4-7 and not to any supposed current saying." (Vine)

these things - "I.e., the counsels of verses 1-7." (Ryrie)

are excellent and profitable - "—the word kalos, good [excellent], denotes what is honorable, fair and virtuous (agathos, good [excellent] denotes what is beneficial, as in v. 1).  The word ophelimos, profitable, is used of the Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:16; of physical exercise, 1 Timothy 4:8; of godliness i.e., of good works (here)." (Vine)

"The conduct of the Christian as a subject of the state is governed by the same principle as motives his conduct as a member of the Church.  He is to be obedient to the government and to show to his fellow-citizens, however hostile, immoral, debased or degraded, the same grace that God showed to him, remembering that he himself possesses the same corrupt nature as they, and that in that nature the seeds of all vile passions lie (v. 3).  This governing principles of public conduct is foreign to, and opposed to, human nature.  Self-interest, ambition, love of ease or of money or of position animate the ordinary members of society.  The Christian's conduct is regulated by his relationship to God as the Saviour God — the especial title of these three Epistles.  He recognizes that that which makes him different from others is not any merit in himself or any personal or moral superiority.  He is even as they.  Grace makes the difference, and it teaches him to be as kind and merciful to others as God was to himself." (Williams)

devote themselves to good works - "...probably has the general meaning of 'apply oneself to good deeds,' though the phrase may have the technical meaning of 'enter honorable occupations.'" (Ryrie)

avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law - "Teachings of the circumcision party." (Ryrie)

"—cp. 1 Timothy 1:4-7; 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23.  These warnings form a special feature of all three pastoral epistles and show how widespread the evils had become, largely through Jewish influences, the Judaistic teachers finding a fruitful soil in the minds of gentile propagandists of philosophy and certain religious cults.  The last two evils are probably the outcome of the first two." (Vine)

a person who stirs up division - "One who willfully chooses for himself and sets up a faction (see 1 Cor 11:19; Gal 5:20).  Our responsibility is to reprimand such a person twice, then avoid him if he does not change." (Ryrie)

"—the word hairetikis, rendered 'heretical,' comes from the verb haireo, to choose.  The corresponding noun hairesis (Eng., heresy) usually meant 'choice' in the language of the Greeks in the centuries just before, and in the first part of, the Christian era.  Hence it came to denote self-willed opinion, and where that replaced subjection to the truth, the effect was to produce divisions in the assemblies and the formation of sects.  Such opinions are often the outcome of personal preference or of the prospect of advantage; see 2 Peter 2:1, where 'destructive' (R.V.) signifies leading to ruin.  A heretical man was, and is, one who strikes out on a line of his own choosing and cases strife, faction and division in an assembly.  The meaning therefore, is that of causing divisions rather than that of holding false doctrine, though the latter is frequently involved.  Such are to be warned once and again, and, if persistent in the evil, to be 'refused.'  This does not necessarily imply excommunication; it would probably involve such action as to prevent their activities, and certainly their efforts to obtain prominence and exercise their influence." (Vine)

warped and sinful - "Turned aside, and hence, self-condemned." (Ryrie)

"—the refusal to listen to admonition indicates a heart that has been definitely turned aside (the word rendered 'perverted' suggests that the word is used in the LXX of Deut. 32:20 where 'very forward' is the rendering of the Hebrew).  He cannot plead ignorance; through hardness of heart he persists in his course of sin (he goes on sinning); the existence of the party spirit arising from his influence, renders him self-condemned." (Vine)

Artemas - "Nothing more is known of him." (Ryrie)

Tychicus - "(See Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7; 2 Tim 4:12.)" (Ryrie)

"Tychicus was a native of the province of Asia and perhaps of Ephesus, Acts 20:4.  He accompanied Paul on his return from his third journey, and Paul gave a high commendation of him in Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7.  That he was a companion of the apostle in his imprisonment we may gather from 2 Timothy 4:12." (Vine)

Nicopolis - "Nicopolis is almost certainly the city on the coast of Epirus.  It was a commercial port and was a useful stopping place for missionary tours." (Vine)

Zenas - "Nothing more is known of him." (Ryrie)

"—nothing is know of Zenas.  The probability is that he was an expert in Jewish law." (Vine)

Apollos - "The well-known associate of Paul." (Ryrie)

"Apollos is mentioned in Acts 18:24 and 1 Corinthians 3:4-6 and 16-22.  What the apostle says of him here makes clear that there is no opposition in his teaching to that of the apostle." (Vine)

Titus 2

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.


But - "I.e., in contrast to false teachers." (Ryrie)

"Having dealt with the evil teachers and their errors, the apostle now takes up the subject of the practical effects of the gospel and the doctrines of the faith in the lives of those who form the assemblies of the Lord's people, and the need of such ministry as will definitely conduce to a consistent testimony by them all." (Vine)

Older men - "Those who are referred to here are not the elders in the church in respect of the discharge of spiritual functions, but the men of ripe years in the assembly." (Vine)

sound doctrine - "Lit., healthy teaching (as in Titus 1:9, 13; 2:2), that which causes behavior to be in accord with believe." (Ryrie)

sober-minded - "Wineless, and thus sober in judgment.  The word means 'abstain from wine,' thus, metaphorically, 'sober in judgment' (cf. 1 Tim 3:2; 4:5)." (Ryrie)

Older women likewise are to be reverent - "—the word rendered 'reverent' has the broad meaning of 'what is becoming,' that which is suited to a sacred character (A.V., 'as becometh holiness').  The word rendered 'demeanor,' which is found here only in the New Testament, denotes a condition or deportment, and includes dress, conduct, and conversation, the outward being dependent upon the inwardness of mind and heart.  There is a certain sacred dignity attached to this description, not the appearance of superiority but such demeanor as will exercise a Christlike influence over younger women.  For ere long the younger will on their part if they desire to be here for Christ, have the high and holy privilege of exercising a similar influence." (Vine)

not slanderers - "—a better rendering than the A.V., 'false accusers.'  It has the broad meaning of being given to finding fault with others, and spreading criticisms and innuendos in the assembly.  Sometimes old age tends to become censorious and intolerant, qualities which weaken spiritual influence in the development of Christian character.  See all 2  Timothy 3:3." (Vine)

teach what is good - "—this does not imply the practice of public instruction but the constant exercise of kind and wise counsel such as is helpful to a consistent Christian life, a life of faith and truth and love, which adorn the doctrine of the faith." (Vine)

pure - "—the word hagnos signified (1) pure from every fault, as in 1 Timothy 5:22, (2) pure from carnality, modest, here and 2 Corinthians 11:2.  It has reference to thought, act, and demeanor, whether in look, speech or dress.  The synonymous word hagios denotes holy, as being free from admixture of evil, whilst hosios denotes holy, as being free from defilement." (Vine)

working at home - "—this R.V. rendering represent the word ailouros, found in the most authentic manuscripts.  It signifies the fulfillment of home duties and the avoidance of going round indulging in the gossiping habit." (Vine)

kind - "—agathos describes that which, being good in its character, is beneficial in its effect, hence the R.V. rendering here.  A worker at home may be of such a harsh character as to be unkind.  The two good qualities are to be blended." (Vine)

submissive to their own husbands - "—there is no stress upon the word 'own.'  For what is involved in this injunction see Ephesians 5:22-24, and with regard to cases where a wife has been converted while the husband remains unconverted, see 1 Peter 3:1-6." (Vine)

that the word of God may not be reviled - "—this refers not merely to the preceding clause but to all that has just preceded.  The word of God is here that which was ministered orally.  Today it applies also to the Scriptures.  Every department from that which is right and proper in family life is sure to be marked by unbelievers and to become thereby a cause for scoffing at the Christian faith." (Vine)

be a model of good works - "This indicates the need of doing what is pleasing to God in the varying circumstances of life." (Vine)

sound speech that cannot be condemned - "—sound speech involves the avoidance of fanciful interpretations and of everything that would bring the teaching into justifiable criticism.  The word rendered 'sound' denotes healthful, and in this sense is frequently rendered 'whole.'  With this in view the words spoken should be used thoughtfully and earnestly and in accordance with Scripture.  The teacher should never expose himself to contempt or to the charge of being presumptuous." (Vine)

so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say - "Empowered by the spirit of God the teacher will be able to stop the mouths of gainsayers.  His teaching will be backed up by a manner of life which will give no one a handle for reproaching him and his message." (Vine)

the grace of God has appeared - "The tense of the verb appeared indicates a reference to the Incarnation, Christ's first appearing." (Ryrie)

"Grace has appeared (v. 11); glory will appear (v. 13).  Grace disciplines the believer as to his conduct while waiting for the glory which in its turn is to crown him." (Williams)

bringing salvation for all people - "—the R.V. text of v. 11 gives the right translation instead of the A.V., which gives the rendering 'the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.'  God's grace has not appeared to all men, but it is laden with salvation for all, and that is the point of this statement.  God's grace has been manifested not merely in the incarnation of Christ, as some teach who would limit the appearing to the life of Christ on earth.  The grace of God, as taught in the gospel, has been manifested in the life and death and resurrection of Christ, by whose atoning sacrifice salvation has been brought, and there is no limit to the scope of its provision.  It is for Jews and Gentiles, for every tribe and nation, for 'the vilest offender who truly believes.'" (Vine)

training us - "—the word paideuo primarily means to train children, and hence to teach.  But it came to have the broader meaning of training, and is used of parental discipline, e.g., in Hebrews 12:6, 7, 10.  Accordingly the thought here, as indicated in what follows, is that of training us by way of discipline as well as instruction, so as to subdue our carnal inclinations and guide us in our manner of life." (Vine)

worldly passions - "Overpowering attractions for the secular world." (Ryrie)

to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives - "—'self-controlled' relates to oneself, 'upright' has regard to our neighbor, 'godly' describes our attitude toward God." (Vine)

"Grace appeared—not to a particular people but to all men—and it did not bring them nutriment for their passions, but nourishment for their souls.  It did not demand righteousness from men, but brought righteousness to them.  They needed righteousness.  And so grace overleaped every obstacle in order to reach every man and to discipline him (v. 12), so that in relation to himself he should be sober, in relation to his neighbor, righteous, and in relation to God, pious." (Walker)

waiting for our blessed hope - "—the verb rendered 'waiting' signifies 'to expect eagerly,' here with the certainty of the fulfillment of the hope.  It should be noted that this expectation is part of the training given us by the grace of God, and is as much a duty as that of the denial of ungodliness and worldly lusts and that of living soberly and righteously and godly.  Accordingly it is not a matter of comfort, though that is very real, so much as a responsibility." (Vine)

the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ - "—the word epephaneia (English 'epiphany') is, literally, a shining forth, and is used of three events (1) the first Advent of Christ when He became flesh, 2 Timothy 1:10; (2) His coming into the air to the meeting with His saints, at the time of the Rapture, 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:8; (3) the shining forth of His glory at the time of the unveiling (apokalupsis) of His Parousia with His saints, that is, at the time of His Second Advent, Matthew 24:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:8.  That appearing is the great hope of Christ and His people; the Rapture itself is part of the hope but is preliminary as such to the consummating act of His Second Advent for the overthrow of the foes of God and the establishing of the millennial kingdom." (Vine)

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness - "I.e., release us from the bondage of sin. Three ideas are involved in the doctrine of redemption: (1) paying the ransom with the blood of Christ (1 Cor 6:20; Rev 5:9); (2) removal from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13; 4:5); and (3) release from the bondage of sin into the freedom of grace (here and in 1 Peter 1:18).  Redemption is always through His blood; i.e, through the death of Christ (Col 1:14)." (Ryrie)

"This is why He humbled Himself (Phil 2:5-8) and became a man so He, the God-man, might suffer and die for our sins and redeem us from all iniquity.  The word redeem (Gr lutroo) means 'to set free by the payment of a ransom.'  The believer is now set free from sin to become zealous of good works.  He is 'created in Christ Jesus unto good works' (Eph 2:10), not because of good works which would be contrary to salvation by grace." (KJ Bible Commentary)

Let no one disregard you. - "—this does not imply that Titus was such a character that he would be liable to be despised in his ministry.  Rather his life and conduct were to be such that they would add weight to his words." (Vine)

Titus 1

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.


for the sake of the faith of God's elect...which accords with godliness - "Paul was commissioned to further the faith of God's elect so that they might acquire full knowledge of Christian truth." (Ryrie)

"Believers are elect as being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), all of them being foreknown and foreseen as such by God, John 17:6 and Romans 8:29.  Those whom He foreknew He chose, and that always for specific purposes.  The source of their election is God's grace, not human will, Ephesians 1:4, 5; Romans 9:11; 11:5." (Vine)

in hope of eternal life - "—the preposition epi does not signify 'in' but 'upon' (in this construction), and expresses that upon which something rests or is based.  Here the basis upon which the faith and the knowledge of the truth rest is the hope." (Vine)

Titus - "He is not mentioned in Acts, but NT references to Titus's activities are found in 2 Cor 2:13; 7:5-7, 13-14; 8:6, 16-17, 23; 12:18; Gal 2:1, 3; 2 Tim 4:10." (Ryrie)

"Paul was a Jew and Titus a Gentile, but they stood together in a faith common to both." (Williams)

child - "A term of affection used also by Paul of Timothy and Onesimus." (Ryrie)

"There is not in this letter the same intimacy of affection as in Timothy.  Titus was a beloved child in the Gospel, but Paul does not open his heart to him in the same way as he did to Timothy.  In Timothy doctrine has a large place; in Titus, rule." (Williams)

what remained - "A church is defective unless it has constituted leaders.  In Crete these were appointed (= ordained) by Titus." (Ryrie)

above reproach - "—this and the qualifications which follow should be read in connection with 1 Timothy 3:2-7.  The word rendered 'blameless' [above reproach] signifies that which cannot be called to account, that is, with nothing laid to one's charge, not an acquittal but the absence of even a valid accusation." (Vine)

husband of one wife - "Lit., one-woman man.  Wherever mentioned in the NT, elders are seen as being married and as having children.  Some think this phrase means 'one wife at a time,' others 'one living wife'; but most likely it means 'only one wife.'  (See 1 Tim 5:9, where the similar phrase can only support the latter.)  See also 1 Cor 7:39 and 1 Tim 5:14, where remarriage of a widow is permitted." (Ryrie)

"—this does not imply the necessity for an elder to be married.  Most of those in the churches had been brought up in pagan conditions, in which polygamy was common and, as in certain heathen countries today, the elimination of the evil was difficult.  Any brother who rendered public service in the assembly was strictly prohibited from polygamy, and the example thus set became extended to all the members, and remains binding." (Vine)

children are believers - "May mean 'believing children' as translated here, or 'faithful children,' even though unbelievers." (Ryrie)

overseer - "Used interchangeably with 'elder,' emphasizing function.  In Greek cities of the first century A.D. the vises described here were common." (Ryrie)

must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught - "The faithful [trustworthy] word would be the doctrine taught by Paul and his fellow apostles; cp. 2 Timothy 1:13 and 3:14.  What the apostles taught was according to the doctrines of the Christian faith, and the elder or overseer is responsible to adhere to the word of God without adding to it or diminishing from it." (Vine)

sound doctrine - "Lit., healthy doctrine or wholesome doctrine in contrast to false, which is diseased.  Good doctrine always results in good practice, and good practice is always based on good doctrine." (Ryrie)

rebuke those who contradict it - "As to opponents or gainsayers, such teaching [sound doctrine] is designed to carry conviction (cp. John 16:8).  The verb antilego literally denotes to speak against, contradict.  Chrysostom says, 'He who knows not how to contend with adversaries, and is not able to demolish their arguments, is far from the teacher's chair.'" (Vine)

those of the circumcision party - "The group that required keeping the law for salvation and/or sanctification (Gal 2:12).  They also were interested in money (v. 11), held to Jewish myths (v. 14), and encouraged asceticism (vv. 14-15)." (Ryrie)

"There was evidently a Jewish colony in Crete (Titus 1:10, 14), and Acts 2:11 states that Cretan Jews were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost." (Williams)

"—these were Judaizers.  That they are specially mentioned makes clear that they were not the only false teachers and troublers of the believers.  There were subversive propagandists, who attempted to fascinate Christians by prescribing ritual observance which they regarded as of moral and religious value.  The dangers resulting from the way in which those who wanted to make converts to Judaism, and the Gnostic teachers of the time, insinuated themselves into the churches, were a real and constant trouble.  The same kind of thing exists at the present time, and it is necessary to make sure of the credentials of any who seek to find an entrance into an assembly as teachers." (Vine)

"—there were devout Jews from the island in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:11), and it is not improbable that many of them were among the number of those who believed and were baptized (v. 41).  They would carry back the message of the gospel [good news] to their friends in Crete." [Note: And what message was that? That the One they had crucified had risen again — repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.] (Vine)

One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own - "—This is a hexameter line from the Greek poet Epimenides, a native of Crete in the sixth century, B.C.; it is quoted by another poet, Callimachus, in his 'Hymn to Zeus,' and was a well-known saying among the ancients, facts which expose the gross notoriety of the people of the island.  There came into use a verb, to Cretanize, as a euphemism for lying.  The phrase 'idle gluttons' (literally, 'slow bellies,' as in the A.V.) stands for the grossest self-indulgence.  That evil was just the kind of condition suited to the purpose of plausible religious tricksters." (Vine)

rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith - "—the reference seems to be not only to the false teachers but to those who were deceived by them.  The faith here stands for the sum total of Christian doctrine, as in 1 Thessalonians 3:10, where faith is to be understood, not of confidence in God, but of the doctrines of the faith.  For the metaphor of soundness in this respect see 1 Timothy 1:10.  This good result, which normally is the effect of constant and careful instruction, can be brought about in certain circumstances, such as those mentioned here, only by reproof in the power of the Spirit of God." (Vine)

Jewish myths - "—instances of these are abundantly supplied in the Talmud, in which interpretations and notes have obscured the pure text of the original.  For a description of those who were thus acting as teachers of the Law, see Titus 3:9 and 1 Timothy 1:7." (Vine)

the commands of people who turn away from the truth - "—such regulations consisted of ritualistic observances, regulations which served to establish the authority of the propagandists, tending to make them appear superior to others ... The apostle contrasts them here with 'the truth,' from which the advocates of such externals turn away.  It is always a dangerous thing to substitute church creeds for the word of God, and it is necessary to be on one's guard against the idea that it is the church which has been and is, responsible for the doctrines of the faith, whereas these have been derived, not from church councils, nor from the corporate body of the church at any time, but from the Holy Spirit's operation in and through the individual writers of the Scriptures.  Never were the doctrines of the faith promulgated by agreement among the writers as to what should be taught.  The decisions made by the so-called Council at Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 15, were not received from the church as such, but from the apostles and elders who, whilst they belonged to the local church, are distinguished from it in verse 4.  Moreover, what was decreed on that occasion formed only a very small part of the faith, the whole of which is given in the word of God and not by the church in its corporate capacity." (Vine)

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure - "Purity is an internal matter, of the mind and conscience, not external." (Ryrie)

"—the meaning is not that all things are pure in the judgment of the pure, but that all things are pure for their use.  All that God has provided for the maintenance of human life is in itself pure, and if the heart of the user has been purified through obeying the truth, such things can never have the effect of moral impurity.  The 'all things' does not of course include anything that is morally impure, for such could never be regarded as pure by a God-fearing believer.  Romans 14 provides an extensive explanation of this statement; cp. Matthew 15:11; Luke 11: 41; 1 Timothy 4:4.  Those who are characterized by unbelief and corruptness of thought are bound to misuse even the things that God has provided, for they use them to gratify their own evil propensities.  Erroneous teaching and moral impurity are often closely associated, and the opposite is likewise the case in regard to soundness in the faith and moral purity (cp. Acts 15:9 and 1 Tim 1:5; see also Rom 1:18-32)." (Vine)

"One company of false teachers in Crete advocated gluttony and another commanded abstinence from certain foods as being impure.  The Apostle overthrew both by teaching the necessity of a pure heart and a clean conscience.  God claims the heart.  The man whose heart is defiled does not need to go out of himself to find what is impure, but though making a profession of faith (v. 15), in his actions he denies Christ is in fact detestable, disobedient, and useless for any good work." (Williams)

They profess to know God - "—this refers, not to the Gnostics, but to those who prided themselves in their Judaism and, so far as doctrine itself goes, their confession (for so the word might be rendered) was right, for God had made Himself known to them as the only true God.  The apostle speaks of the Gentiles as those 'which know not God' (1 Thess 4:5)." (Vine)

unfit for any good work - "Tested and found unfit, disapproved (1 Cor 9:27)." (Ryrie)