Verse 2
God intended both prongs of Paul’s ministry, evangelism and edification, to bring individuals into the fullness of eternal life.
"’Resting on’ [NIV] is from the single Greek word epi. But it is better to understand this word as ’with a view to,’ as in Ephesians 2:10. Thus Paul’s thought is that all of his ministry is ’with a view to’ eternal life." [Note: A. Duane Litfin, "Titus," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, pp. 761-72.]
This hope was something God had promised from eternity past. [Note: George W. Knight III, The Pastoral Epistles, p. 284.] God had long since proved Himself consistently faithful to His promises. The unusual epithet "who cannot lie" (apseudes, free from falsehood) brings out the absolute trustworthiness of the hope just mentioned.
There is ancient evidence that Cretans considered lying culturally acceptable. [Note: See Bruce W. Winter, Roman Wives, Roman Widows: The Appearance of New Women and the Pauline Communities, pp. 149-50.]
"But a more specific pagan theology may be at the root. Paul’s reference to ’the God who does not lie’ could well lampoon the character of the Zeus of Cretan tales, who in fact did lie to have sexual relations with a human woman (taking the human form of her husband). This same Zeus was also held to be the epitome of virtue (defined by his possession of the cardinal virtues), a dimension of his character that will come more into focus later in the letter." [Note: Towner, The Letters . . ., p. 670.]
Be the first to react on this!
