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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8-14

Christian character. "To maintain good works." This is a repeated counsel, and shows how much need there was of showing that the "belief" spoken of in the eighth verse should not be a mere speculative creed. This Titus is to "affirm constantly," showing that there were those then who had a tendency to antinomianism, or neglect of the Law of moral order and beauty. I. PERMANENCE . "Maintain." Men weary of their efforts after the attainment of a Divine ideal. Holiness is not a gift, it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8-15

Pearls before swine. There is in some a habit of mind utterly out of harmony with the Word of God. It is not that dogmas, or creeds, or ceremonies are despised and forgotten by them, as they usually are by the pleasure-seeking or moneymaking world. On the contrary, these things are often in their minds and upon their lips. But they handle everything, not with a view to growth in goodness, not with a view to the formation within of a humble, pure, and holy character, but merely as matters... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:9-15

The worthless, the pernicious, and the desirable in social life. "But avoid foolish questions," etc. The text brings under our attention three things. I. THE AVOIDANCE OF THE WORTHLESS IN SOCIAL LIFE . "Avoid foolish questions and genealogies." The "questions" and "genealogies" are referred to in 1 Timothy 1:4 . The apostle characterizes them as foolish because they were of an utterly impractical nature, and consumed time and powers which were needed for other and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:12-13

Personal directions. The connection of Titus with the Cretan Church was to be but temporary; therefore the apostle gives him two commands. I. A COMMAND FOR TITUS TO JOIN THE APOSTLE AT NICOPOLIS . 1. The apostle needed his services, either at this city in Epirus, where he determined to spend the winter—no doubt in apostolic labors—or to ascertain from him the exact condition of the Church at Crete, or to send him forth on an errand to some of the other Churches.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:13

Set forward for bring, A.V. Set forward ( πρόπεμψον ); the technical expression both in the New Testament and the LXX ., and also in classical Greek, for helping a person forward on their journey by supplying them with money food, letters of recommendation, escort, or whatever else they might require (see Acts 15:3 ; Acts 20:38 ; Acts 21:5 ; Romans 15:24 ; 1 Corinthians 16:6 ; 2 Corinthians 1:16 ; 3 John 1:6 ). Zenas the lawyer . He is utterly unknown. His name is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:14

Our people for ours, A.V. Our people also. The natural inference is that Titus had some fund at his disposal with which he was to help the travelers, but that St. Paul wished the Cretan Christians to contribute also. But it may also mean, as Luther suggests, "Let our Christians learn to do what Jews do, and even heathens too, viz. provide for the real wants of their own." To maintain good works (verse 8, note) for necessary uses ( εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας ); such as the wants... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:14

A last reminder concerning good works. The suggestion just made leads to this adjunction: "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." I. IT IS AN INJUNCTION TO THE BRETHREN GENERALLY . "Ours also." It is the duty of all believers, sharers in the common faith, and heirs of the grace of life, to learn to do good works. II. BELIEVERS NEED TO RE TRAINED TO THIS SERVICE . "Let ours also learn." They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:15

Salute for greet, A.V.; faith for the faith, A.V. That love us in faith has no sense. "The faith" is right (see 1 Timothy 1:2 , note). Grace be with you all. So, with slight varieties, end St. Paul's other Epistles. The T.R. has Amen, as have most of the other Epistles. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:15

Salutation and conclusion. "All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen." I. MARK HOW THE EPISTLE , WHICH BEGAN WITH THE FAITH OF GOD 'S ELECT , ENDS WITH GRACE AND LOVE . II. MARK THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED BY GRACE BETWEEN THE WIDELY SCATTERED MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH . They are one holy, happy family, united by love. The threefold repetition of the word... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Titus 3:13

Bring Zenas the lawyer - - This person is not elsewhere mentioned in the New Testament, and nothing more is known of him. He belonged doubtless to that class of persons so often mentioned in the New Testament as lawyers; that is, who were regarded as qualified to expound the Jewish laws; see the notes at Matthew 22:35. It does not mean that he practiced law, in the modern sense of that phrase. He had doubtless been converted to the Christian faith, and it is not improbable that there were Jews... read more

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