CHAPTER 3
Obedience to authority should be shown as applies to the meekness of Christ.
Titus 2:15-3:1-2 Speak these things and urged, and reproved with all authority. Let no one despise you. Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all people .
with all authority . That is, with harshness. For since the characters of these men were harsher, therefore they say that they are rebuked sharply.
Let no one despise you , that is, let no one look down on you. Do you see how the bishop is to be both powerful and authoritative?
to be ready for every good work . That is to be ready and well-prepared.
to speak evil of no one . Even if he acts badly, even if he makes a mistake in something. For our mouth must generally be free from insult. "For you say, 'Why do you judge your brother?” (Rom.14:10” Why do you alter the judgment of God? For he calls the insult against his brother blasphemy.
showing all humility to all people . Both Jews and Greeks, and friends and enemies, and those who wrong you and those who harass.
Titus 3:3-7 For we were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in hatred and envy, hated by one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life .
Do not reproach anyone, Paul says. For we too were evil, not that we still are. Therefore, since you were once such, and were saved by the grace of Christ, and not by your own works, how do you dare to reproach another? When were we such? When, he says, we were in error, when we worshipped idols. For it is clear how the Greeks live irreverently. For among them are adultery, fornication, murders, and shameful all-night partying [παννυχίδες]. And these they commit as if in honor of the gods.
kindness and love of God our Savior appeared . Through His incarnation.
not because of works done by us in righteousness . Not because, Paul says, we live so religiously as to urge him to become incarnate, but because God himself wished to have mercy on us, being unworthy.
works done by us . For we did not do it.
He poured out richly upon us . Which spirit? The one whom , Paul says, poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ . He says that we needed great spiritual grace, so that not only might we be justified from past sins, but also become heirs of life; for this reason, He poured out .
by His grace . Of Christ, and of the Holy Spirit.
we might become heirs . He says, Let us become heirs of eternal life, which is now in hope for us. — So be it. Let us become heirs of eternal life, as we also hope.
Titus 3:8-9 The saying is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to insist on, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to excel in good works. These things are good and beneficial to people; but avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain .
Since Paul spoke about future things, which were unclear to most, he adds, The saying is trustworthy , that is, true and certain to come to pass.
and concerning these things I want you . And about those things which have been said above and about these things. About which?
may be careful to excel in good works . That is, of widows, orphans, those who are troubled, those in need; not only with money, but also with sincerity. These are the good things. To lead to good works.
but avoid foolish disputes, genealogies . Genealogies or concerning the Greeks, who were recounting the lineage of their gods. They say, ‘such a one begot such a one’. Concerning the Jews, who do not assert anything, but resort to genealogies and from them hold great esteem. Abraham, they say, Isaac and Jacob are our ancestors. But they bring foolish things, that is, nothing beneficial. For what benefit is there to a sinner if Abraham is his father? Indeed, rather it will bring harm if, having come from these, they were made reprobate. Flee, and beware. How then does Paul elsewhere command that he should stop the mouths of those who contradict, if it is absolutely necessary to believe and to forsake? And we say: That it is necessary to stop the mouths of those who teach to the destruction of others: but when they contend against you not about dogma, yield and forsake.
for they are unprofitable . For, Paul says, they will have no good end.
Exhortations concerning the avoidance of heretical seekers.
Titus 3:10-15 Warn a heretical man once or twice, and then reject him; knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make haste to come to me at Nicopolis; for I have decided to spend the winter there. I have earnestly sent Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that nothing may be lacking for them. Let our own also learn to devote themselves to good works for necessary needs, so that they may not be unfruitful. All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen .
— [OECUMENIUS] And elsewhere Paul says, "May God not grant them repentance." (2 Tim. 2:25) How then does he here order to cease? There he speaks about correction for those who have hope; here, however, about those suffering incurable diseases. [ end of the excerpt by Oecumenius R f. 300r ] —
being self-condemned . For Paul has no defense to offer, saying, "No one told me; no one advised me." Being self-condemned means either being without defense or being condemned by oneself and one's own conscience.
make haste to come to me . Why indeed, having established Titus in Crete, does Paul call him back to himself again? In order that he may be better structured and may advise on what is to be done. Nicopolis is a city of Thrace.
— [THEODORET] at Nicopolis . Nicopolis is in Thrace, and it borders on Macedonia. It is therefore clear that Paul wrote the Letter at that time when he was staying in Macedonia and Achaia. [ end of the excerpt by Theodoret PG 82.869b ] —
I have earnestly sent Zenas the lawyer. Experienced in the Jewish laws. Yet these had not yet been entrusted to the Church. But Apollos was a certain great man, both learned and mighty in the Scriptures.
so that nothing may be lacking for them . In every abundance, provide for them, perhaps with food and clothing.
Let our own also learn . The statement concerning teaching, or concerning instruction, as if Paul said: They themselves showed themselves to be generous towards those in need, and let them draw them to themselves, whether they are in need of teaching or of necessities.
so that they may not be unfruitful . For Paul wishes to benefit those who give rather than those who receive.
Greet those who love us in faith . Or it means those who love him, generally the faithful. And the phrase " in faith ," as through faith.
Finished, with divine help, of the Epistle to Titus.
It was written from the city of Nicopolis in Macedonia to Titus, the ordained bishop of the first Church of the Cretans.
COMMENTARY ON PHILEMON
BY OECUMENIUS
COMMENTARY BY OECUMENIUS
ON THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON
HYPOTHESIS ON THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON
Paul sends this from Rome; and the cause of the letter is this: Onesimus, the servant of Philemon, fled; and having gone to the apostle Paul, he was instructed by him, and became useful to him in ministry. Therefore, Paul writes to Philemon about this, praising Onesimus, so that he may receive him sincerely, and no longer have him as a slave, but as a brother. He also urged him to prepare a welcome for him, so that if he comes, he may find a place to stay. And thus, he completes the letter. It is noteworthy that this Onesimus was also deemed worthy of martyrdom in the city of Rome, at that time under the authority of Tertullus the governor, having endured the breaking of his legs as to undergo martyrdom.
THEODORET
Philemon was a remarkable man, a Phrygian by birth, and his city was Colossae; he was faithful in character and shared in the needs of the saints. Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, ran away, having stolen from him. Onesimus, coming to Rome to Paul, was instructed by him and, having been baptized, became remarkable even while Paul was in chains. Paul sends him back to Philemon, having made this letter a recommendation for Onesimus. Some say that this letter should not be counted among the other epistles because it concerns a trivial matter. But see how many useful things come from it! First, it teaches us to be earnest even about trivial matters. Second, that if a slave has returned so boldly, those who are free should not despise them. Third, that it is not fitting, under the pretense of holiness, to separate slaves against the will of their masters. Fourth, that we should not be ashamed of virtuous slaves, especially when Paul calls Onesimus his child. How then could such a letter, containing so much benefit, not be counted among the others?
The Epistle to Philemon by the Apostle Paul
Philemon 1-3 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker, and to Apphia our beloved, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul, a prisoner . Immediately from the opening words he instructs the master not to shame the servant. For all things, even chains, are good for Christ. And that it is right for grace to be given to the prisoner for Christ.
and Timothy our brother . Paul includes Timothy as a partner in the supplication.
to Philemon our beloved . If beloved, he will grant favor; if a coworker, Paul will not put the servant to shame in the service of the preaching. Onesimus, having been given, will also fulfill the work of the master Philemon.
and to Apphia our beloved, and Archippus . Perhaps Apphia was the wife of Philemon, and Archippus. But see the humility, for it also urges these to join in the supplication.
our fellow soldier . If a fellow soldier, Paul also struggles in this. This is the one about whom he writes to the Colossians: Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received." (Co. 4:17)
and to the church in your house . Paul invites the whole household, and slaves.
Grace to you . How then will the grace of God be with you? If you also forgive those who owe you. How then is peace? If you are reconciled to the servant.
The praise of Philemon and a thanksgiving on his behalf.
Philemon 4-9 I always thank my God, making mention of you in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Therefore, having great boldness in Christ, I am commanding you what is proper, because of love, I urge you, being such as Paul the aged, but now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
If ever I make mention of you , I always do, I give thanks to God for you. Why? Hearing of your love and faith , he says. Do you see that Paul does not immediately seek favor from the beginning?
hearing of your love . which, if it were not great, would by no means be heard from Phrygia all the way to Rome.
that the fellowship of your faith . It unites him to himself, just as if he said: Fellowship of faith is that which makes one and common. But why do you give thanks to God? So that the fellowship of your faith , Paul says, may become effective . But how will it be effective? If it proceeds to every work of virtue. Blessed Paul interprets himself. But how will it be effective ? By this, that you have the knowledge and accomplish every good thing .
that is in us . Paule says that which is now also in us. (Matt. 25:40)
for Christ Jesus . For whoever does good to someone, does it to Christ, especially to the saints.
we have great joy . Not only, Paul says, did we rejoice, but such was the pleasure that it even brought us comfort while in bonds.
because the hearts of the saints . Consider that when Paul wishes to say: ‘If you show kindness to others, much more so show it to me’, he does not say it exactly like that, but in a somewhat more fitting manner. For he knows that the memory of favors shown to others makes those whom we urged more inclined to help us.
have been refreshed through you . For, Paul says, they find rest in your love. They rest because of you. Since you are such toward the saints that you even strengthen them, I have confidence in commanding you: since I have confidence because of Christ in commanding you something that is beneficial; for this is what ‘to command’ [ἐπιτάσσειν] signifies. However, I said 'to command' not because I dominate you, but because of the love by which I both love you and am loved by you; indeed, I seem to command, but I do not command. For if I seem to command out of love, I do not command, but rather I ask: thus, he says, I magnify the matter.
Paul . And this alone is sufficient to persuade,
the aged, but now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ . Do you see the motives for persuading?
Recommendation of Onesimus, a runaway servant, and an appeal on his behalf, who has been saved through faith.
Philemon 10-14 I therefore appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my chains, formerly useless to you, but now indeed useful both to you and to me, whom I have sent back. I appeal to you to receive him as my very heart: whom I wished to keep with me, so that he might serve me in the chains of the gospel on your behalf; but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed would not be forced but voluntary .
Paul mentions Philemon first, praising the servant as a beloved child, because he says he also baptized him. For this is the one, " I have begotten while in my chains ." Therefore, having calmed Philemon’s anger through these things, he thus gives the name Onesimus .
formerly useless to you . For Paul knows that the acknowledged sin is to extinguish the master's anger.
but now indeed useful both to you and to me . If such faithfulness is useful to Paul, who demands so much, it is clearly also useful to Philemon.
whom I have sent back . To hand Onesimus over to the master, rather extinguished his anger.
to receive him as my very heart . What do I mean by " receive him "? Receiving this one, you will receive my own very heart . Thus he says, I love him as one calls him his own heart . And " receive " means to accept with love.
so that he might serve me in the chains of the gospel on your behalf . Do you see that Paul has brought the master to the very place, little by little? For he says that he serves me on your behalf . Here he shows that he wishes what is more advantageous for the master. For if you say that you ought to serve, and he does this instead of you, the benefit is yours.
in the chains of the gospel . In chains for the sake of the Gospel.
without your consent . This especially softened the matter itself, because Paul did not do something so necessary for himself without his consent.
so that your good deed would not be forced but voluntary . Paul did not say, "By force," but, "would not be forced;" as if he had said, "I knew that even against your will, forcing Onesimus on you, I would not cause you pain. But so that it may not seem to be done by force, I was not willing," he says.
Philemon 15-20 For I suppose that for this reason he was separated for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. And if he has wronged you or owes you anything, charge that to me. I, Paul, write this with my own hand—I will repay it—to avoid saying to you that you owe me your own self as well. Yes, brother. May I enjoy refreshment in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
Since Onesimus has changed his mind from being a wicked one, he himself turns it to the doubtful, as if Paul said: For perhaps he fled for reasons of caution.
for this reason he was separated . With a euphemistic name, Paul called it separation, so that the memory of the separation would not provoke the master. Then he also limits the time, calming the anger, or he speaks in terms of a season of the year.
so that you might have him back forever , you have, that is, you receive.
But more than a slave . Do you see that escaping brought many benefits? For instead of an hour of escape, you have an eternal one. (For the escape is but one hour compared to eternity.) And instead of a worthless slave, you have received a beloved brother .
how much more to you . If to me, much more to you, even in worldly services. For this is " in the flesh ." And in spiritual matters. For this is " in the Lord ."
So if you consider me a partner . That is, if you think and wish the same things as I do.
welcome him as you would me . Wow, how great is the magnitude of those words!
And if he has wronged you . Paul did not say, "He stole," but the verb is cut short. He says he wronged or owes .
charge that to me . For it was likely that they themselves had consumed together the things that had been stolen, and Paul says, " charge this to me ," that is, charge these things as a debt to me, let the obligation be held against me.
I, Paul, write . He wrote with spiritual grace, as if he said, But for safe keeping, that I will repay the debt, I have made the letters with my own hand.
to avoid saying to you that you owe me your own self as well . So that Paul may not seem to insult Philemon by not daring to appeal to him openly on behalf of the runaway slave (for this would show Philemon to be somewhat harsh), it shows that Paul is also very confident in Philemon. For he says not only your own things, but also yourself you owe to me.
Yes, brother . Again, from what is pleasing it advances to what is serious. " Yes ," he said, " brother ." What? Accept it yourself. I will take advantage from you in things that are according to Christ.
May I enjoy . That is, I delight in your excellent works in the Lord. May I see you growing rich in all spiritual blessings.
refresh my heart . Paul says, Refresh my love for you for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 21-25 I wrote to you, confident in your obedience, knowing that you will also do more than I say. At the same time, prepare a lodging for me; for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted the opportunity to come to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen .
confident . Paul said, "You do this not for me, but for Christ."
confident in your obedience . I did not write to you as one commanding or stubbornly dealing with you, but having confidence in your obedience . Whom would these things not soften, even if he were made of iron?
knowing that you will also do more than I say . Paul said this, persuading Philemon in every way to accept Onesimus, if not for any other reason, then at least so as not to destroy his own reputation if he had any with the Apostle.
prepare a lodging for me . Paul says that he did not write only because of Onesimus (for Philemon would have said, if not for himself, that I was not worthy of even a word), but also for this reason, Paul says, that you might prepare a lodging for me . And Philemon was even afraid that if he did not receive Onesimus, the Apostle would come and it would be known that he had been disobedient.
for I hope that through your prayers . Great indeed is the power of prayers, and great also is the humility of Paul, because he was in need of those prayers.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner . This man was sent from the Colossians to Paul, as it is clear that Philemon was from Colossae. Epaphras is called a fellow prisoner, indicating that he too was in great distress. Moreover, this also honors him; for Epaphras was indeed a fellow prisoner, whereas this one did not even show kindness to Onesimus, who was a prisoner for the Lord.
Aristarchus, Demas . About this, Paul wrote to Timothy, “Demas abandoned me.” (2 Tim. 4:10)
— [PHOTIUS] They say that this Demas again turned away to Hellenism and became a priest of idols. [ end of the Photius excerpt ] —
— [OECUMENIUS] And if that was at first, now Demas has repented. But if later, after these things he became negligent. [ end of the excerpt by Oecumenius ] —
Luke . The last became first. For if in the second letter to Timothy he says, Luke is the only one with me. (2 Tim. 4:11) And Paul calls them co-workers , showing that these also, he says, are encouraging you with me.
“Finished, with divine help, the Epistle to Philemon.”
Written from Rome, through Onesimus the servant.