Titus 3:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Titus 3:1-8

Here is the fourth thing in the matter of the epistle. The apostle had directed Titus in reference to the particular and special duties of several sorts of persons; now he bids him exhort to what concerned them more in common, namely, to quietness and submission to rulers, and readiness to do good, and to equitable and gentle behaviour towards all men?things comely and ornamental of religion; he must therefore put them in mind of such things. Ministers are people's remembrancers of their duty.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 3:3-7

3:3-7 For we too were once senseless, disobedient, misguided, slaves to all kinds of desires and pleasures, living in maliciousness and envy, detestable ourselves, and hating each other. But when the goodness and the love to men of God our Saviour appeared, it was not by works wrought in righteousness, which we ourselves had done, but by his own mercy that he saved us. That saving act was made effective to us through that washing, through which there comes to us the rebirth and the renewal... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 3:3-7

(iv) The grace and love of God are mediated to men within the Church, but behind it all is the power of the Holy Spirit. All the work of the Church, all the words of the Church, all the sacraments of the Church are inoperative unless the power of the Holy Spirit is there. However highly a Church be organized, however splendid its ceremonies may be, however beautiful its buildings, all is ineffective without that power. The lesson is clear. Revival in the Church comes not from increased... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish ,.... Nothing has a greater tendency to promote humility, and check pride in the saints, than to reflect upon their past state and condition, what they themselves once were; and this is a reason why magistrates, though evil men, should be obeyed in things good and lawful, and why no man should be spoken evil of, and why every man should be treated in a gentle manner, and used with mildness and meekness; since the apostle himself, and Titus, and... read more

Adam Clarke

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

For we ourselves - All of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, were, before our conversion to Christ, foolish, disobedient, and deceived. There is no doubt that the apostle felt he could include himself in the above list, previously to his conversion. The manner in which he persecuted the Christians, to whose charge he could not lay one moral evil, is a sufficient proof that, though he walked according to the letter of the law, as to its ordinances and ceremonies, blameless, yet his heart was in a... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 3 3For we ourselves (257) also were formerly foolish Nothing is better adapted to subdue our pride, and at the same time to moderate our severity, than when it is shewn that everything that we turn against others may fall back on our own head; for he forgives easily who is compelled to sue for pardon in return. And indeed, ignorance of our own faults is the only cause that renders us unwilling to forgive our brethren. They who have a true zeal for God, are, indeed, severe against those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1-3

Duty. "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers," etc. "Very careful," says Dean Spence, "and searching have been the apostle's charges to Titus respecting the teachers of the Church, their doctrine and their life; very particular have been his directions, his warnings and exhortations, to men and women of different ages, on the subject of their home life. But with the exception of a slight digression, in the case of a slave to a pagan master, his words had been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1-7

Mercy begetting mercy. The practical lessons of the gospel were not exhausted in the preceding chapter, nor the motives which urge believers to godliness. The call to holiness in the last chapter was based upon the holy character of God's saving grace and the purpose of Christ's redeeming love. In these verses the grace and love of God are still the basis of the exhortation, but it takes its peculiar coloring from the thought of what we were ourselves. Tenderness, indulgence, and meekness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:3

We for we ourselves, A.V.; afore-time for sometimes, A.V.; hating for and hating, A.V. Foolish ( ἀνόητοι ); a Pauline word ( Galatians 3:1 , Galatians 3:3 ), found also in Luke 24:25 (see 1 Timothy 6:9 ); of frequent use in classical Greek. Disobedient ( ἀπειθεῖς ); as Titus 1:16 . In Luke 1:17 it stands, as here, absolutely, meaning disobedient to God and his Law. Deceived ( πλανώμενοι ); led astray, made to wander from the path of troth and right,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:3

An humiliating retrospect. The apostle adds, as a reason for the duties first specified, that "we also," including himself with the Gentile Christians, were once in a similar condition to the heathen, and had received mercy. It is a dark picture of men in their natural state, proceeding from a description of the inward source to the outward facts of this evil life. I. HUMAN NATURE DEPICTED AS TO ITS MORE INWARD CHARACTER . "For we ourselves" were once foolish. 1. ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Titus 3:1-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 3:3-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 3:3-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 3:3

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:3

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