Titus 2:7 - Exposition

An ensample for a pattern, A.V. ; thy doctrine for doctrine, A.V.; R.T. omits sincerity ( ἀφθαρσίαν ) , which is in the T.R. In all things ( περὶ πάντα ); as 1 Timothy 1:19 ( περὶ τὴν πίστιν ); "concerning, in the matter of" (Ellicott on 1 Timothy 1:19 ). St. Jerome and others connect these words with the preceding clause, "to be sober-minded in all things." But it is usually taken as in the text, "in all things showing thyself," etc. Showing thyself , etc. With regard to the somewhat unusual addition of the reflexive pronoun to the verb in the middle voice, Bishop Ellicott remarks, "Emphasis and perspicuity are gained" by it. An ensample ( τύπον ). Huther remarks that this is the only passage in the New Testament where τύπος is followed by a genitive of the thing. In 1 Timothy 4:12 the genitive is of the person to whom the example is given, in word, in conversation, etc., and in 1 Peter 5:3 , τύπος τοῦ πομνίου . Of good works (comp. Titus 3:8 ). Note the stress laid by St. Paul upon Christian practice as the result of sound doctrine. Mere talk is absolutely worthless. Uncorruptness ( ἀφθορίαν , or, as T.R., ἀδιαφθορίαν ); only here in the New Testament, and not in the LXX . or in classical Greek. ἀφθορία has the best manuscript authority; but the sense of ἀδιαφθορία as deduced from the good classical word ἀδιάφθορος , which means among other things "incorruptible"—not to be influenced by entreaties or bribes—seems to make it preferable. The word describes the quality of the teacher rather than of his doctrine. He is to preach the truth without fear or favor. Gravity ( σεμνότητα ); as 1 Timothy 2:2 ; 1 Timothy 3:4 . This, again, is a quality of the teacher. These accusatives depend upon παρεχόμενος . But the construction of the sentence is somewhat irregular for brevity's sake.