Titus 3:8-11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:11

Is subverted - Is turned out of the way in which he may be saved, and consequently sinneth - enters into that way that leads to destruction. Being condemned of himself - This refers to the Judaizing teacher, who maintained his party and opinions for filthy lucre's sake. He was conscious of his own insincerity; and that he proclaimed not his system from a conscientious love of truth, but from a desire to get his livelihood. Were the Church in all countries, whether established by law or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:8

Verse 8 8A faithful saying He employs this mode of expression, when he wishes to make a solemn assertion as we have seen in both of the Epistles to Timothy. (1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 2:11.) And therefore he immediately adds: — I wish thee to affirm these things (263) Διαβεβαιοῦσθαι under a passive termination, has an active signification, and means “to affirm anything strongly.” Titus is therefore enjoined to disregard other matters, and to teach those which are certain and undoubted — to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:9

Verse 9 9But avoid foolish questions There is no necessity for debating long about the exposition of this passage. He contrasts “questions” with sound and certain doctrine. Although it is necessary to seek, in order to find, yet there is a limit to seeking, that you may understand what is useful to be known, and, next, that you may adhere firmly to the truth, when it has been known. Those who inquire curiously into everything, and are never at rest, may be truly called Questionarians. In short,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:10

Verse 10 10Avoid an heretical man This is properly added; because there will be no end of quarrels and dispute, if we wish to conquer obstinate men by argument; for they will never want words, and they will derive fresh courage from impudence, so that they will never grow weary of fighting. Thus, after having given orders to Titus as to the form of doctrine which he should lay down, he now forbids him to waste much time in debating with heretics, because battle would lead to battle and dispute... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:11

Verse 11 11Knowing that he who is such is ruined He declares that man to be “ruined,” as to whom there is no hope of repentance, because, if our labor could bring back any man to the right path, it should by no means be withheld. The metaphor is taken from a building, which is not merely decayed in some part, but completely demolished, so that it is incapable of being repaired. He next points out the sign of this ruin — an evil conscience, when he says, that they who do not yield to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:7-8

Justification; faith; works. "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs," etc. There are three subjects in these verses of vital interest to man which require to be brought out into prominence and impressed with indelible force. I. THE MORAL RECTIFICATION OF THE SOUL . "Being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." This means, I presume, not that being pronounced right, but that being made right. Forensic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8

Faithful is the saying for this is a faithful saying, A.V.; concerning these things for these things, A.V., confidently for constantly, A.V.; to the end that for that, A.V.; God for in God, A.V.; may for might, A.V.; full stop after good works, and colon after men. Faithful is the saying ; as 1 Timothy 1:15 (where see note). Here the faithful saying can only be the following maxim: "That they which have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works;" the words, "These things I will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8

The necessary connection between gospel doctrine and good works. I. THE IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL DOCTRINE . "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly." He refers here to the sum of the doctrine of Christian salvation contained in the three preceding verses. 1. The doctrine of salvation is worthy of all acceptance. "This is a faithful saying." This formula, contained only in the pastoral Epistles, points to some weighty truth which had... read more

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

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