Titus 1:3 - Exposition

In his own seasons for hath due times, A.V.; in the message for through preaching, A.V.; wherewith 1 was entrusted for which is committed unto me, A.V. In his own seasons. The margin, its own seasons, is preferable (see 1 Timothy 2:7 , note). The phrase is equivalent to "the fullness of the time" ( Galatians 4:4 ). Manifested his Word. There is a change of construction. "The relative sentence passes almost imperceptibly into a primary sentence" (Buttmann in Huther); "his Word" becomes the object of the verb "made manifest," instead of "eternal life," as one would have expected. His Word is the whole revelation of the gospel, including the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Compare St. Peter's address to Cornelius ( Acts 10:36 ). This "Word," which lay in the mind of God through the ages, and was only dimly expressed in the promises given from time to time ( 1 Peter 1:10-12 ), was now "made manifest," and proclaimed openly in that preaching of the gospel of God's grace which was entrusted to St. Paul. This same idea is frequently expressed (see Romans 16:25 ; Ephesians 1:9 , Ephesians 1:10 ; Ephesians 3:3-11 ; 2 Timothy 1:9-11 ; 1 Peter 1:20 ), In the message. Surely a poor and a false rendering. ἐν κηρύγματι means "by the open proclamation" which St. Paul, as God's herald, κήρυξ , was commanded to make. But this is better expressed by the word which is appropriated to the proclamation of the gospel, viz. "preaching." So, as above quoted, Romans 16:25 ; 2 Timothy 1:11 , and elsewhere frequently. According to the commandment ( κατ ἐπιταγὴν κ . τ . λ ..); Romans 16:26 ; 1 Timothy 1:1 (comp. Galatians 1:1 ). God our Savior ( 1 Timothy 1:1 ; 1 Timothy 2:3 ; Titus 2:10 ; Titus 3:4 ; Jud 1:25; and also Luke 1:47 ). Elsewhere in the New Testament the term "Savior" ( σωτήρ ) is always applied to our Lord Jesus Christ.