Titus 2:11,12
Titus 2:11
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,"
"For the grace of God"
It is because of what God has done in Grace that the Cretan believers were
Christians in the first place; and that the holy life which has been described
in 2:1-10 is possible.
It is as if God were saying, "Do this, because you can do it; my Grace
was given for this purpose!"
Topic: GRACE
"hath appeared": (epiphainow), "to show forth; to display;
to shine upon" [Eng: epiphany]
The whole favor of God is manifested in the "Epiphany", the "Manifestation"
of Christ. Verse 3:4 uses other words to describe the grace of God, "...
the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared".
The Grace of God, and the appearance of Christ, distinguish Christianity
from all religion. This is a historical reality which changes men's lives.
Luke 1:78,79 "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring
from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And
the child grew..."
Acts 11:22-24; Col. l:6; I Pet. 5:12; Acts 13:43; Rom 1:5; Eph 3:2,7
"that brings salvation to all men"
Salvation is made available to all men.
Salvation is the most comprehensive spiritual concept in Christianity. The
mighty God performed a transaction that encompasses time and eternity, and
makes it possible for any person to take part in it, because of the substitutionary
atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
The topical study, SALVATION DOCTRINES, provides a detailed look at all
of the parts of what might be called the "salvation package",
those things which God does for a believer at the moment he accepts Christ
as Savior.
Topic: SALVATION DOCTRINES
Titus 2:12
"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"
"teaching us that": (paideuw), "to rear or train (as a child),
to educate, to instruct".
Examples of the use of (paideuw):
(paideuw) = "to train"
Acts 7:22 "And Moses was learned (paideuw) in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds."
Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia,
yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught (paideuw)
according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous
toward God, as you all are this day."
2 Tim. 2:25,26 "In meekness instructing (paideuw) those that oppose
themselves; if God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,
who are taken captive by him at his will."
(paideuw) = "to correct; to discipline; to chasten"
1 Cor. 11:32 "But when we are judged, we are chastened (paideuw) by
the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world"
See also 2 Cor. 6:9
1 Tim. 1:20 "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered
unto Satan, that they may learn (paideuw) not to blaspheme."
Here, paideuw is translated "may learn" (in the passive voice),
but it is clear that not just the impartation of knowledge but severe discipline
is intended.
Another use of (paideuw) is seen in Luke 23:16 and 22, in which Pilate,
since he had declared the Lord "not guilty" of the charge brought
against Him, and hence could not punish him, offered as a concession to
the Jews to "chastise (paideuw) him and let him go."
The noun form is (paideuteis), "educator, instructor, chastiser".
Rom. 2:20 "An instructor (paideuteis) of the foolish, a teacher (didaskalos
!) of babes, which have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law."
Note the two types of teachers mentioned here - the connotation of strict
teaching, or chastisement, is used with the "foolish" but not
used with respect to "babes."
Heb. 12:9 "Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline (paideuw)
us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father
of spirits, and live?
Another noun in (paideia), "discipline, instruction"
Eph. 6:4, "...but bring them up in the nurture and admonition (paideuw)
of the Lord."
2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction (paideuw) in
righteousness."
There are also the words (paideusis), "training; education; a school",
and paideuma (paideuma), "one who is trained; a pupil"
"denying ungodliness": (arneomai), "to deny; disown; renounce."
plus (asebeian), "impiety; unholiness"
Compare "godliness" (eusebeia) in 1:1 with "ungodliness"
here.
Rom. 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness (asebeian) and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness."
Good reason for Christians not to participate in ungodliness!
2 Tim. 2:16 "But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase
unto more ungodliness (asebeian)."
One of the ways to avoid falling into ungodliness as a lifestyle.
This verb ("denying) emphasizes the firm decision of the believer who
stoutly refuses to participate in the world system.
"and worldly lusts": (tas kosmikas epithumias), "an irregular
or violent desire for the things belonging to the universe", "lust
accommodated to the present state of things of the world".
Hence, lust patterns of the soul, such as a desire for approval and recognition,
materialism, sex, power, etc. We are commanded to "deny" these
things.
"we should live": aorist active subjunctive of (zaw), "we
should live"
These verses are about what it really means to be grace oriented. Living
by grace depends on whether the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit
and is constantly growing in Christ.
In Greek grammar, the subjunctive mood of the verb here indicates potential,
godly living depends on the volition of the believer. We have to choose
to be godly, to avoid worldly lusts.
The words "soberly; righteously; godly" are terms relating to
the outward grace life. These are the results of grace orientation, living
by grace, occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ.
"soberly": (swphrwnos), "sensible; mentally stable".
This word indicates that the Word of God is so well assimilated in the soul
that the Christian's standards of life are God's standards.
"righteously": (dikaios), "righteousness".
In practical Christianity, this refers to the production of gold, silver,
precious stones => the output of divine good through the exercise of
the Word of God in the life.
"godly": (eusebws), an adverb from eusebeia (eusebeia), "godliness"
2 Tim. 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly..."
2 Pet. 2:9 "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of testing..."
References: 1 Tim. 2:1-3; 3:15,16; 4:7,8; 6:36 Titus 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:3-7.
Topic: GODLINESS
"in this present world": "in this now age". Reference
to the age in which we now live, the age prior to the return of Christ.
Summarizing the passage:
Titus 2:11, "Because the grace of God that brings salvation to all
men has appeared."
Titus 2:12, "Instructing us that, renouncing ungodliness and lusts
for the things of the world, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly
in this present age."
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