Matthew Poole and continuators on Titus 1

1 PAul a servant of God , and an apostle of Jesus Christ , according to the faith of Gods elect , and the acknowledgment of the truth, which is after godliness .

That is in the work of the Ministry.

Who glory in this as my greatest honour and dignity, that I was one immediately sent by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel.

[non-Latin text not transcribed] according to what the Elect, or chosen of God from the beginning of the World, have believed, so as it is no new doctrine which I bring, or else [non-Latin text not transcribed] here should be Translated for denoting the final cause, as some judge it signifieth, 2 Tim. 1.1. and in verse 9. of this chapter, then the sense is, that he was sent to be an instrument to beget Faith in such as God had chosen unto life, Acts 26.18. for these onely ordained to eternal life believe, Acts 13.48. and Paul was sent to be an helper of their Faith. Some think the Apostle by this phrase only distinguisheth himself from the Ministers of the Law.

To which Faith men are brought by the knowledge of the truth, and it worketh by the owning Profession, and acknowledgment of the truth ▪ not all propositions of truth, but that which is productive of a Godly Life, lying in the true worship of God, and an universal Obedience to the Divine Will.

Marginal references: 1 Tim. 3.16. and 6.3.

2 In hope of eternal life , which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began .

Which Faith also producing the acknowledgment, profession and obedience to the truth, according to Godliness, produceth in the soul an hope, or certain expectation of Eternal Salvation or Happiness.

Nor doth this hope grow up as a rush without mire, or a flag without water, but is bottomed in Gods declaration of his will to that purpose, and it is impossible that the God of truth should lye, or speak what he never intended to effect. [non-Latin text not transcribed] might as well here have been Translated purposed, and must be so interpreted, if we interpret the next words before the beginning of time, unless we say it was promised to the head of the Elect, Christ on their behalf,

before the beginning of time, or rather many ages since, as Rom. 16.25. Thus Eternal Life was promised, though more obscurely, Gen. 15.1. and 17.7. and 22.18.

Marginal references: Or, for.; Numb. 23.19; 2 Tim. 1.9. 1 Pet. 1.20.

3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching , which is committed unto me , according to the commandment of God our Saviour l.

In proper time, (saith the Gr.) in such time as God had eternally purposed, and as seemed good to the Divine Wisdom.

He hath by setting up the Ordinance of Preaching or Publishing the Gospel by men, sent by him, manifested this promise of Eternal Life, which lay much obscured under the vail of temporal promises under the Old Testament.

Which office of preaching, or which word was committed to me, by the will of God, or immediate command of God, as to which, see Acts 26.18.

Marginal references: 1 Thess. 2.[illegible: 1 letter] ▪

4 To Titus mine own son after the common faith , Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour .

From hence we learn that Titus was converted to Christianity by Paul. Timothy was so called, 1 Tim. 1.2.

The Salutation is the same with that to Timothy, 1 Tim. 1.2. 2 Tim. 1.2. and in most of the Epistles with small variation. See the Notes there, and in the beginning of most of the Epistles.

Marginal references: 2 Cor▪ 2.1[illegible: 1 letter] ▪13. and 7.14 [illegible: 1 word] 8.6, 1[illegible: 1 letter]. Gal. 2.3.

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete , that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting , and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee .

In Candia, (as it is now called) see the Argument to this Epistle.

Set to rights things which I left undone, being hastened away to other places.

In this Island we are told, there were an Hundred Cities, in how many of them the Gospel had taken place, we are not told. Paul left Titus in this place, for this end, to regulate the Churches, and constitute Officers for the Holy Ministry, to execute the office of an Evangelist; doing what the Apostle should have done there, could he have stayed.

Marginal references: Or, le[illegible: 1 letter]t undone.; Acts. 14.23.

6 If any be blameless , the husband of one wife , having faithful children , not accused of riot , or unruly .

The Apostle now directs what kind of persons should be made Elders or Officers in the Church. It is an Elliptick speech, where must be something understood to perfect the sense. Do not make every one an Elder, but if any be [non-Latin text not transcribed], see the notes on 1 Tim. 3.10. such a one, as though possibly he may be clamoured on by ill men, yet cannot be justly charged with, or accused of any notorious crime.

One that doth not take the sinful liberty, taken by the Jews and Heathens, (but contrary to the rule of Christ) to have at the same time more then one Wife. See the notes on 1 Tim. 3.2.

Having also a Religious Family, Children that are Believers, or at least honest in a Moral sense, (so then Ministers in those dayes might marry.)

The Gr. is under an accusationof, [non-Latin text not transcribed]: We translate it by a general word Riot, and undoubtedly, our English words, sots and sottishness, comes from this word. The word signifieth any kind of Luxury, Drunkenness, Whoredom, Prodigality.

Unruly; Sons of Belial, ungoverned, disorderly persons, like Souldiers that will not keep their ranks, or rather, like Cattle untamed, that will not indure any yoke. Obj. But why must none be put into the Ministry that have such Children? The Fathers may be good men, though the children be bad. Sol. 1. Because the honour and repute of the Church is more to be regarded then the interest of any private person. 2. Because it is an ill sign that the Parents of such children, have not ruled their own houses well, keeping their children in all subjection and gravity under Authority, and are therefore very unfit to rule the greater Society of a Church.

7 For a bishop must be blameless , as the steward of God , not self-willed , not soon angry , not given to wine , no striker , not given to filthy lucre .

One that hath an oversight of the Church of God, ought to be one whom none can truly tax with any scandalous sin.

As a chief Servant in Gods house, intrusted to dispense his mysteries, 1 Cor. 4.2. one that should set an example to the under servants in the house of God.

Not [non-Latin text not transcribed], one that pleaseth himself, proud, stubborn, pertinacious, confident, &c. having an high opinion of his own person, parts, judgment or humour; (for all this the word signifies.)

[non-Latin text not transcribed], not too quick, and subject to passion, how then shall he in meekness instruct those that are without?

See the notes on 1 Tim. 3.3. where the same word is used.

See the notes on 1 Tim. 3.3. where both these qualifications are mentioned, and opened.

See the notes on 1 Tim. 3.3. where both these qualifications are mentioned, and opened.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 10.9.; 1 Pet. [illegible: 1 letter].2.

8 But a lover of hospitality , a lover of good men , sober , just , holy , temperate .

A lover of strangers. See the notes on 1 Tim. 3.2.

One that hath a kindness for good men, or who loves all good things.

See the notes on 1 Tim. 3.[illegible: 1 letter].

Just in his dealings betwixt man and man, giving to all their due.

One that reverenceth and worshippeth God, and is Heavenly and Spiritual in his Conversation.

One that restraineth all his evil inclinations and propensions, that hath brought his sensitive appetite under the dominion and government of his reason.

Marginal references: Or, good [illegible: 1 word].

9 Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught , that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort , and to convince the gainsayers .

No airy incertain man that is of that opinion which his company is of, or his age favours, but holding steady the word of Faith, as he hath learned it from me, and the rest of the Apostles.

His work is to perswade others to the Faith, and

by sound arguments to convince those that speak contrary to it; and if he himself be ignorant of, or incertain, as to that, how can he ever discharge this employment.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter] Tim. 1.19. [illegible: 1 word] 6.3. [illegible: 1 letter] Tim. 1.13. and 4.3. chap. 2.1.; Or, i[illegible: 1 letter] teach [illegible: 3 letters].

10 For there are many unruly, and vain talkers , and deceivers , especially they of the circumcision .

We have had both of these words before, the first signifieth, stubborn, unruly men, the second, idle, foolish, vain talkers: The Apostle saith, that in that age there were many of these,

and such who were deceivers of other mens souls or had their own souls deceived:

Especially (he saith) the Jews, who mixt the Law with the Gospel; pressed the necessary observance of their Ceremonies, and taught that all the Jews should be saved: Of these there were many in Creet, they at this time being scattered abroad over the face of the whole Earth.

Marginal references: 1 Tim. 1.6.

11 Whose mouths must be stopped , who subvert whole houses , teaching things which they ought not , for filthy lucre sake .

The word is active, such Ministers ought to be placed in Cities, as shall be able and fit to stop such persons mouthes, by sound Doctrine and Arguments fit to convince them, or thou oughtest to stop their mouths by silencing them, (though I do not see how this was practicable (in a Pagan Country) otherwise than by perswading Christians not to hear them.

Who as to the foundation of Faith and its building, overturn whole Families of Christians.

Infusing false Doctrine into them,

and all for filthy gain, and all gain is so, that is got by deceiving and ruining of peoples Souls, as to their Faith, and Salvation.

Marginal references: 2 Tim. 3.6.; 1 Tim. 6.[illegible: 1 letter].

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own , said, The Cretians are alwayes lyars , evil beasts , slow-bellies .

Epimenides a Greek Poet thus spake of the people of this Country, whom he calls a Prophet, because he was a Poet, and wrote something about such Divine Oracles as they had.

The Cretians were famous for lying and falsehood, so as it became a proverb.

He called them evil Beasts, either for their cruelty or Treachery.

A lasie, idle people, that had much more inclination to eat and drink, than they had to work in any honest labour. From all this the Apostle would infer, that Titus had the more need be watchful in his place, and faithful in the discharge of his Office, being amongst such a people.

13 This witness is true : Wherefore rebuke them sharply b, that they may be sound in the faith .

This testimony of Epimenides is true, what I have found by experience, and those of them that in profession have embraced the Christian Faith, may have some tincture of their Nations vices, if thou meetest with any such, reprove, or convince them [non-Latin text not transcribed] cuttingly, that is, sharply, severely, the metaphor possibly is fetched from Chirurgeons who cut out dead flesh to the quick,

that they may be sound in the Doctrine of the Gospel, or in their minds, not infected with any vice.

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables , and commandments of men that turn from the truth .

By his calling them Iewish fables, (not old wives fables, as in the Epistle to Timothy) he lets us know that he reflects upon those Jews that seemed to be proselyted, but yet had a tincture of their Jewish Education, and spent their Discourse about such fabulous Traditions as the Jews had,

and the Traditions and constitutions of the Scribes and Pharisees,

abhorring the Gospel, and the Doctrine of Truth in it.

Marginal references: 1 Tim. 1.4.; Col. 2.22.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure , but unto them that are defiled, and unbelieving is nothing pure , but even their mind, and conscience is defiled .

By the pure here (as appeareth by the terms opposed to it) are meant all those whose hearts are purified by Faith, working by love in an holy life. To these he saith all things, that is, all the Creatures of God, all Meats, and drinks are pure. What God hath cleansed, none ought to call common or impure, Acts 10.14. so as notwithstanding any Law of God to the contrary, any believers under the Gospel may eat of any meats.

But if men be unbelievers, and so defiled, having not their hearts purified by faith, Acts 15.9. nothing is pure to them.

Their mind, their notion and understanding is defiled;

and their Conscience, which is the practical judgment they make up about things, is defiled: If they forbear to eat, they are defiled through Superstition; if they do eat, they sin by acting against the dictate of their conscience, which is the proximate rule of mens actions.

Marginal references: Lu. 11.39, 40, Rom. 14.20. 1 Cor. 6.12. and 10.23, 25. 1 Tim. 4.3, 4.; Rom. 14.23.

16 They profess that they know God , but in works they deny him , being abominable, disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate .

He is speaking of the Iews who (all of them) professed to know, and to believe one living and true God.

But they lived like Atheists, as if there were no God in the World, Rom. 2.17. to ver. 24.

They are persons justly to be abominated of all good men, [non-Latin text not transcribed], unbelieving in the Gospel; disobedient to the rule of the Law, awkward to, and averse from any good work.

Marginal references: 2 Tim. 3.5.; Or, void of judgment.