CHAPTER 2
Titus 1:15-16; 2:1 Things are always pure to the pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and conscience are defiled. They confess to know God, but by their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and unfit for every good work. But you speak what accords with sound doctrine.
— [OECUMENIUS] What then was the law given to the Jews concerning uncleanness? And we say, not because they were unclean did God legislate accordingly, but by this law cutting off much luxury and indifference among the Jews. For what is clean and unclean depends chiefly on the character of those receiving it. Since by nature all things are clean to those who do not examine too closely; but to those who are not such, all things are unclean, though not actually unclean. For only sin is truly unclean. [ end of the excerpt by Oecumenius A f. 185v; B f. 224v; G f. 314v ] —
but to the defiled . Therefore, impure things come from a defiled mind: just as for a person suffering from an illness, all things are unpleasant because of the disease.
but both their mind and conscience are defiled . No food is indeed impure, Paul says, but the mind and conscience of those people are impure, and their skepticism makes foods impure and useless.
They confess to know God . This is truly impure, for faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
But you speak what accords with sound doctrine . But although these men are such, Paul said, you should nevertheless not become any less diligent, but do what is your duty and teach, even if no one obeys.
Exhortations which ought to be given to each according to their age.
Titus 2:2-5 Elders must be sober, honorable, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in patience; likewise, older women must be respectful in behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good, so that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be reviled.
Elders must be sober . For old age is mostly followed by slowness and sluggishness. This, therefore, corrects it.
be [εἶναι]. For the common expression is, “must be” [εἶναι δεῖ].
self-controlled [σωφροσύνη]. He basically says careful [Φρονίμους]. For self-controlled is, as it were, soundness, the salvation of the mind. For self-control would not have been sought after by the aged in matters of immorality, as this is generally acknowledged.
patience . Paul rightly says that they ought to have patience. For irritability clings to old age.
— [OECUMENIUS] likewise, older women . Paul refers to the deaconesses.
Respectful. From this Paul means clothing. [ end of the excerpt by Oecumenius Π f. 173v; A f. 186r anonym; B f. 225r; G f. 314v ] —
behavior . From this attire, Paul says, they showed modesty and the fact of engaging in sacred services.
not slanderers . For from wine follows slander: and especially because the violence that comes of wine is hostile to weaker old age.
teachers of what is good . And how does it hinder women from teaching elsewhere? And we say that here it speaks about an exhortative speech addressed to household members, but there it is about sitting in public and speaking in the assembly. And that it has made them participants only of the teaching which is imparted at home is made clear by what follows.
so that they may train the young women . Paul is not speaking only about their daughters but of women in general, and for the younger to be subordinate to the older.
to love their husbands . This is the head of all duties that exist in the family, from which the rest arise.
to love their children . For she who loves the root will also love the branches.
homemakers . Paul says “homemaker”, those who manage the household affairs. However, such guardians are concerned neither with their own nourishment nor with untimely departures.
so that the word of God may not be reviled . For if a husband were unfaithful, having a faithful wife, but not submissive and corrupt, the very faith would be slandered which such women have. Do you see that Paul writes this, having especially the care of preaching?
Titus 2:6-8 He also urged the younger men to be sensible; presenting yourself as a pattern of good works in everything, in teaching, showing incorruptibility, dignity, sound speech, and blamelessness; so that the opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about us .
Do you see how appropriately Paul arranged it, appointing women as teachers of women and elderly women, and Titus himself to the men?
to be sensible . For nothing is so hostile to youth as the erotic love 1 [ἔρως] of the body.
presenting yourself as a pattern of good works . Let it be, Paul says, that your life is a common teaching and example to all.
in teaching . Providing common understanding. Therefore, offering integrity, familiarity, and a certain humility in teaching.
showing incorruptibility . That is, community and something like straightforwardness.
dignity . That is, not as a ruler, nor as one speaking to subjects, but gently as to children.
sound speech . Clearly, that of the doctrines. For when these are added to the teaching, he who opposes, whether the slanderer or the heretic, will be ashamed, finding no hold at all against us.
Concerning slaves, so that they themselves may also serve worthily of the grace of Christ.
Titus 2:9-10 Slaves, be obedient to your own masters with all respect, to please them in everything, not being argumentative or pilfering, but showing all good faith:, so that in everything they may adorn the teaching of our Savior God .
Therefore, it is not proper to take slaves away from their masters under the pretext of virtue.
not being argumentative . Paul urges the observance of obedience and loyalty; for this is what most befits slaves.
they may adorn the teaching of our Savior . Rightly Paul said elsewhere, "As servants of God, not of men." (1 Corinthians 7:23 and Ephesians 6:6-7) Indeed, although you serve the master with goodwill, he says, the opportunity nevertheless begins with the fear of God. For if they are wicked, they bring insult to Christianity. “For the name of God is blasphemed because of you," (Isa. 52:5; Rom. 2:24) But those who do the things that have been said will fulfill the preaching, faithfully serving.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a peculiar people for his own possession, eager to do good works .
Then Paul also gives a reason why slaves ought to be such toward their masters. For he says that the grace of God has appeared, educating us. Therefore, since we have become pupils of God’s discipline, how could we not owe it to act in a manner worthy of His teaching?
training us to renounce . The appearance of our Savior God, that is, the revealing in the flesh, not only freed from former sins, but also made us safer for the future. For, as it says, denying signifies great abstinence.
ungodliness and worldly passions . Paul speaks of ungodliness as the doctrines of the wicked, and of worldly desires as those both of the soul and of the flesh, and all those that simply do not lead us to heaven. And the term " self-controlled " does not only signify abstinence from bodily pleasures and their love, but also from every passion.
in the present age . For this age has the struggle, but the age that is to come has the rewards.
waiting for the blessed hope . Behold also the rewards. For nothing is truly more blessed than His revealing.
of the glory . For the second coming of Jesus will be with glory, unlike the first which was in humility.
of our great God . Where now are the inventors of impious doctrines, who assert that Christ is not God, or is lesser than the Father? For in this place the Apostle openly professes that Christ is even the great God. Truly great, he does not distinguish against some lesser god: by no means! but absolutely so great that no one greater can be understood by it.
a peculiar people . This is, different from others, abundantly beloved, having nothing in common with the remaining peoples.
eager to do good works . Do you see that even in our needs? Eager , Paul says, that is, going towards virtue with much excitement. For it was solely out of his own kindness that he freed us from the sins of old. And he accomplished virtue both for himself and for us.
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Translator notes for Titus chapter 2.
1. erotic love [ἔρως]. The Greek word eros means a form of “love” that differs in sense than another common word in the New Testament for love. Eros means passionate, erotic, and romantic love while Agape [ἀγάπη] means unconditional, selfless, and divine love.