(Verses 3, 4, 5.) An old woman likewise, in a dignified manner, not slanderous, not enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be wise, pure, homemakers, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed. The elders are to be such that they are an example of good conduct to the younger ones, so that if they have unbelieving husbands, they may be won over by their behavior without a word, as they observe the purity and reverence of their lives.
(Vers. 6, 7, 8.)
(Verses 6, 7, 8.) Likewise, exhort the younger to be self-controlled, presenting yourself as a model of good works in all things, in teaching, in integrity, in seriousness, sound speech that is beyond reproach, so that those who oppose us may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about us. Because young people tend to exceed the bounds, or rather, are more prone to stumble, they are therefore commanded to be contained by wholesome restraints, so that they may be governed by the unrestrained divine laws. He insists that in order for something not to be difficult or challenging, there should be a teacher; that the teacher should demonstrate how the things he teaches are done; that those who are ignorant and enemies of the faith may be ashamed, seeing that he proves with actions that what he teaches with words is true.
(Vers. 9, 10,)
(Verse 9, 10,) Servants to be obedient to their masters in all things, well-pleasing, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, that they may adorn the doctrine of our Savior God in all things. For the doctrine of the Lord is to be adorned with good works and faith; for then is the doctrine pleasing, if he who professes it does not make it hateful by denying it in his actions, but lovely and true; for what is true cannot be unseemly. When, therefore, the words are fulfilled by subsequent actions, they are shown to be true, and by this means, honorable. Then masters can not only not prohibit their servants from faith, but also rejoice; because they see that their faith also benefits themselves. For no one who keeps the faith of God can be unfaithful to men.
(Vers. 11, 12.)
(Vers. 11, 12.) For the grace of God our Savior has appeared to all people, teaching us to renounce impiety and worldly desires, and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age. He says that the gift of God has appeared to people through Christ, that is, the truth of the one God manifested in Christ, so that we may profess the Creator in the unity of the Trinity: something that was previously hidden from the human race, but now has been revealed through God's mercy. By avoiding the darkness of error, which is ignorance and impiety of the world, let us be found as pious ones who acknowledge God as the Father of all, confessing Him in the truth that the Gospel of His Son teaches. And in order to receive the reward of this, let us do good works. For how can those who only proclaim the Father have any hope if they do not also profess the Son in the same truth? Similarly, the hope of this person is in vain who only has a profession of faith without good works.
(Vers. 13, 14, 15.)
(Verses 13, 14, 15.) We await the blessed hope and the coming of the glory of our blessed God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good works. This is said to be the blessed hope of believers, because they await the coming of the glory of the great God, which will be revealed by Christ, the judge, in whom the power and glory of God the Father will be seen, so that they may obtain the reward of their faith. For Christ indeed redeemed us in order that, following a pure life, filled with good works, we may be heirs of the kingdom of God. Speak these things and exhort and rebuke with full authority. Let no one despise you.
Caput III.
(Vers. 1, 2.)
(Ver. 1, 2.) Admonish them to be subject to the principalities and powers, to obey their commands, to be prepared for every good work. He warns of the salvation of believers, so that when they are accused, they may know for whose benefit they are being attacked: so that they may not take it harshly, being certain that they are being corrected for their own well-being: and so that they may be slow to do evil, but ready for good, not ignorant of what each one must repay.
(Vers. 2.)
(Ver. 2.) Do not blaspheme anyone, be non-argumentative; but be modest, showing all meekness to all people. Christians want to appear humble to all people; for in this way they can be called faithful to the hope of the future.
(Vers. 3.)
(Verse 3) Once we were foolish and disobedient, wandering, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, detestable, hating one another. These blessings that unbelief does not have, it recalls them as given to Christians; so that shining in all righteousness, they may be made manifest as worshippers of God. For while once foolish, now they seem to be of sound judgment in all things, and God is praised in them.
(Vers. 4-7.)
(Verses 4-7.) But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This good that seems to flourish among Christians originates from the root of divine piety; for God, through his mercy, saved us by Christ, by whose grace we are born again and receive the Holy Spirit abundantly, so that we may rely on good works, with his help in all things, in order to attain the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven through them. Therefore, we should serve Him with all devotion and obey His commandments, because whatever is beautiful in us, He paints with spiritual features.
(Vers. 8.)
(Verse 8.) Faithful saying: and I want you to affirm these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are good and beneficial for people. There is nothing so evident, because mercy and kindness are good for the present and useful for the future; and here in this, there is praise, and on the day of judgment, a crown. For everyone who believes in God must strive for mercy, by which they live. So, in order to be concerned for these things, the leader of the people is admonished.
(Vers. 9.)
(Verse 9.) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. He calls these foolish questions, which have no effect on salvation, nor contribute any expertise to usefulness. By these words, he denotes the doctrines of many heretics. Although all things that are not true are to be called foolish, yet there is one who introduces fabulous things, and another who cunningly presents a matter full of poison, as Arius and Photinus do. However, fabulous is not a law, but a heresy, as it pertains to the time of the Jews when some of them claimed a prerogative of the origins of the patriarchs, which arose from marriages, although there is no merit in this before God. Indeed, some considered the baptism of pitchers and other vessels, and the blood of a weasel to be greatly purged (Leviticus 11:29). And because Moses' burial was hidden, so as not to be disturbed by the magicians, if it were true, the burial of other saints should also have been hidden. And because Solomon built the temple with the help of demons, in which a vast multitude labored, what is more fabulous than that?
(Vers. 10, 11.)
(Verses 10, 11.) Avoid the heretical man after the first correction, knowing that he is perverse in this way, and condemned by his own self. These are the heretics who attack the Law of the Law through words; for they establish their own meaning to the words of the Law, so that they may commend the wickedness of their own mind by the authority of the Law. For they know that impiety carries great weight under the authority of the Law, they create deception under its name; so that because an evil thing cannot be acceptable in itself, it may be commended by the goodness of its name. Therefore, he says that men of this kind should be admonished once, so that, being admonished more frequently, they may become more practiced in evil. However, he seems to compel those whom he often admonishes, so that they may become more eager for the destruction of many: therefore, they are to be dismissed, so that they may become more negligent and perhaps perish alone.
(Vers. 12.)