Titus 2:13. awaiting the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Here is the reward: the Second Coming, truly blessed. He well said: "glory." He speaks of two appearances. The first, as was said above, had grace and forgiveness, which was accomplished with mercy and simplicity. The second is retribution, which is to be revealed with glory, as it is also said in the Gospel: "when the Son of Man shall come in His glory" (Matt. 25:31). Where are those who demean the Son and do not wish to call Him God? Let them hear that He is both God and great. Great, it is said, as God—not in comparison with something else that is small, but absolutely, since He is great in Himself, by nature. If He saved us when we were enemies, what will He not give then, when He finds us pleasing to Him?
Titus 2:14. Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity
And this is a sign of His power, that He gave Himself—and not so as to deliver from one iniquity but not from another, but "from all iniquity." Let us then honor our redemption.
Titus 2:14. And to purify for Himself a special people,
To cleanse by the font of divine baptism and by the fulfillment of His divine and purifying commandments. "Peculiar" (περιούσιος), that is, His own — this expression is metaphorically taken from servants who revolve around the property and possessions of their master, just as one calls a person chosen, set apart, having nothing in common with the rest of mankind.
Titus 2:14. Zealous for good works.
That is, a people zealously striving for virtue and showing "zeal for all good works" and fervent emulation. Redemption is His work alone, but being zealous in works is also ours.
Titus 2:15. These things speak, exhort, and rebuke with all authority,
First "speak and exhort," that is, teach with gentler speech; and then "rebuke," and not simply, but "with all authority," that is, insistently and authoritatively. Since they were rough, he brings forth severity against them. There are vices that do not need severity, but only exhortation and persuasion, such as completely despising money. But there are also those that need severity, such as adultery, theft, robbery, and sorcery.
Titus 2:15. Let no one despise you.
That is: let no one despise you for rebuking opportunely and strictly; for whoever rebukes strictly but not opportunely is all the more despised.