Matthew Poole and continuators on Titus 1:6
Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Browse this work.
Read Titus 1. Compare commentaries on this chapter.
Source and publication rights
Text Creation Partnership. Public domain; TCP unrestricted text and encoding. Source edition.
Berean Blue opens December 1, 2026. Explore this passage in the app preview.
Titus1:6
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.
Matthew Poole and continuators, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, Titus 1:6. Public domain.
Permanent link. Source edition.