| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, |
To the faith of God's elect – A special, peculiar faith, not shared by others, neither can others know it, for "it is spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14) R3586:5
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| 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal; |
God, that cannot lie – It would be advisable to accept the Lord's Word. Q765:3
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| 3 but in his own seasons manifested his word in the message, wherewith I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour; |
In due times – Israel did not have an accurate chain of chronology. There were certain broken links supplied for us in the New Testament, to be connected up "in due time." R5769:2
God our Saviour – Jehovah is the Saviour, the author of the divine plan of salvation, and the executor of it. E33
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| 4 to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. |
Mine own son – Titus was probably young but matured in Christian character. R1894:3
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| 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;
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Left I thee – As a general overseer. F249
Ordain – Greek: kathestemi, to place or set down. F277; Q811:1
It is on this text the Episcopal theory of church order rests. It provides weak support. F277
Appoint. R1890:3
Elders – Not necessarily an elder in years, but advanced, matured in Christian character. R1894:3; 2723:1
Not Lords, nor Masters, nor Reverends. Q844:2
In every city – To organize and lay the foundation for an age of work just beginning. R536:3
To take the oversight of the Lord's flock in their vicinity, to feed them with the truth, to guard them against the wolves in sheep's clothing, and in a general way to act as their representatives. R1890:3
Otherwise the Lord's people would not make the proper progress in knowledge and in the graces of the Spirit. R3745:6
As I had appointed thee – The Apostle would surely not give Titus "charge" or instruction to do differently from what he (the Apostle) did in this matter. (Acts 14:23) F278; Q811:1
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| 6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. |
If any be – The Apostle judged fitness of an elder in the same manner that we now should judge. (vs. 6-11) R1822:1; 1890:4
Husband of one wife – An injunction more pertinent in those days. R1892:1
Not necessarily a married man; for the celibate state is preferable. (Matt. 19:12; 1 Cor. 7:32,33) R1892:1
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| 7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; |
Filthy lucre – The spoils taken by the clergy from the laity--(filthy lucre), honors, reverence, titles, etc. R1895:6
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| 8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled; |
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| 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers. |
Holding fast the faithful word – Searching the Scriptures daily and critically, and abandoning everything which conflicts therewith. R5097:1
To exhort and to convince – To teach, "to feed the flock." (I Pet. 5:2-4) E284
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| 10 For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, |
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| 11 whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. |
Whose mouths – "Be not many teachers." (James 3:1, Revised Version) R2156:2
If contaminated with error, the tongue can do almost untellable harm--injury to faith, to morals, to good works. R2156:2
Which they ought not – Faithful elders will be quick to discern and prompt to warn and defend the flock against all such influences. (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Pet. 2:1-3) R1890:5
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| 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. |
Even a prophet – A public expounder, a public teacher. A55
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| 13 This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, |
Rebuke them sharply – Leave no doubt with any as to just where you stand on the ransom. R1453:4
As soon as we see that any teacher or paper is wrong on the one, central and vital point--"a corresponding price" for all--we should have nothing further to do with such until it fully and openly acknowledges the error and retracts it heartily. R1453:4
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| 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. |
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| 15 To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. |
Unto the pure – Those who are pure can see the true, pure hearts of God's sincere "little ones," in spite of the weaknesses of the fallen flesh. R5746:3
All things are pure – They can see righteousness in the divine law and arrangement. R5746:3
Them that are defiled – Some who identified with the cause of God, but whose doctrines and manner of life were in conflict with the Gospel--fault-finders. R5746:2
And unbelieving – "And unfaithful." (Diaglott) R5746:5
The unfaithfuls' consciences become perverted, so that they are unable to see anything or anybody in a proper light. R5746:3
Having lost the spirit of love which thinketh no evil. R2516:3
Is nothing pure – Unable to think of love and benevolence as motives for conduct. R2516:3
Being impure themselves, they attribute impurity to others. R2516:3
The minds of such become corrupted, seeing nothing pure, good or right in others. R5746:3
Even to the extreme of impugning the motives of Jehovah, our Lord Jesus, and the angels. R2516:3,6
Mind and conscience is defiled – They become blinded, self-deceived. R2516:6
They have permitted ill-natured thoughts to enter the mind and lodge there--suspicions, evil surmisings. R5746:3
Their consciences become corrupt and hardened. They are prevaricating, misjudging; do not see how unjust, impure and blind they have become. R5746:3
To avoid such a terrible condition, the Lord's people should maintain pure hearts and minds, keeping consciences very tender. R2516:6
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| 16 They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. |
They profess that they know God – Knowing something in an intellectual way about his plan and Word. R5746:3
Those who have enjoyed the truth, enjoyed at least the first step in heart-purification. R2516:3
Satan has driven far away from God nearly all, even of those who profess church membership. SM131:1
In works they deny him – "By their works they renounce him." (Diaglott) R5746:5
If we deny him, he will also (then) deny us. (2 Tim. 2:12) E490
Their works are contrary to God's Word, which instructs that all should seek to do all the good they can, to see all the good they can, and to give generous judgment to others. R5746:3
Not that such have necessarily become immoral and vile. R5746:5
Every good work reprobate – "To every good work worthless." (Diaglott) R5746:2
Spoiled by the spirit of pride, selfishness, malice, and envy--worthless as bad salt: "If the salt have lost its savor...it is thenceforth good for nothing." (Matt. 5:13; Luke 14:34,35) R2517:3
So far as any good work is concerned they will defile it, injure it. R5746:5
Instead of fault-finding, tearing down, we should give our time, hands, feet, tongues, to blessing and upbuilding. R5746:6
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