Matthew Poole and continuators on Titus 3

1 PUt them in mind to besubject to principalities, and powers , to obey magistrates , to be ready to every good work .

All the supreme secular Powers at this time, were Pagans, and no friends to the Christians in their Dominions, which might be a temptation to the Christians to rebel against them, or at least not to yield them so free, universal, and chearful an Obedience as they ought; therefore the Apostle presseth this Duty upon them, and that not here only, but Rom. 13.1. 1 Pet. 2.13.

By the former term he might understand the supreme Magistrates, by the latter, those inferiour ranks; as he expresseth himself more particularly, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14.

To be free, and prepared to every work which is acceptable to God, and honourable in it self.

2 To speak evil of no man , to be no brawlers, but gentle , shewing all meekness to all men .

Gr. To blaspheme no man. Blasphemy is a speaking evil, whether it be applyed to God or Man, though use hath so obtained, that we only in common discourse speak of blaspheming God.

To be no Fighters, ([non-Latin text not transcribed]) neither with hands, nor tongues.

To be modest, fair, equitable men.

Forbearing Wrath and Passion in their converse with all.

Marginal references: 2 Tim. 2.24, [illegible: 2 letters].

3 For we our selves also were sometimes foolish , disobedient h, deceived , serving divers lusts, and pleasures , living in malice, and envy , hateful , and hating one another .

Without any Knowledge, Wisdom, or Spiritual Understanding.

Deceived by the deceitfulness of sin,

The word signifieth as well unbelieving, as disobedient, neither perswaded to assent to the Truth, nor yet to live up to the rule of the Gospel.

being slaves to our sensitive appetite.

Suffering Wrath to rest in our bosoms, till it boiled up to a desire of Revenge, and shewed it self in actions of that Nature, and pining at the good and prosperity of others.

Deserving to be abominated by good men,

and hating good men, or such as were our Neighbours, and having been so our selves formerly, we ought to pity such as still are so.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 6.11. Eph. 2.1. Col. 3.7. 1 Pet. 4.3.

4 But after that the kindness , and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared .

[non-Latin text not transcribed], The word signifies ones easiness to do good to another. That native goodness that is in God, rendring him inclinable to love, and prone to do good unto the sons of men. This was in God from Eternity

but appeared in his sending Christ, and then his Spirit, and in the application of Christ's Redemption to particular Souls.

Marginal references: chap. 2.11.; Or, pity.

5 Not by works of righteousness, which we have done , but according to his mercy he saved us , by the washing of regeneration , and the renewing of the holy Ghost .

Not according to our works, 2 Tim. 1.9. whether Ceremonial or Moral.

But from his own Bowels freely yerning upon persons in misery.

He hath put us into a state of, and given us a right to Eternal Salvation.

Washing us by Regeneration, as in a layer, the pledge and sign of which is in Baptism.

The Holy Spirit changing and renewing our Natures.

Marginal references: Rom. 3.20. [illegible: 1 letter]9.11. & 11.6. Eph. 2.4, 9.; Joh. 3.3, 5. Eph. 5.26.

6 Which he shed on us abundantly , through Jesus Christ our Saviour .

Which Holy Spirit, as well for the renewing of us, as for the collation of more common or extraordinary gifts God poured out upon us abundantly,

Through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Marginal references: Ezek. 36.25. Acts 2.3[illegible: 1 letter]. [illegible: 1 word]. 5.5.; Gr. richly.

7 That being justified by his grace , we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life .

That we, through the free love of God, having the guilt of our sins removed, and the righteousness of Christ reckoned to us for righteousness,

should through Adoption be made Children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, Rom. 8.17.

Some think that the words should be read thus, That we according to hope should be made Heirs of Eternal Life; because otherwise, the Text hath no object to relate to Heirs. But what should we be Heirs of, but the Kingdom mentioned Matth. 25.34? Though it be true, we are no more then Heirs according to hope, nor is any man otherwise an Heir of an Inheritance, as Heir stands distinguished from an owner or proprietor.

8 This is a faithful saying , and these things I will that thou affirm constantly , that they which have believed in God , may be careful to maintain good works , These things are good, and profitable unto men .

We had this phrase before, 1 Tim. 1.15. and 3.1. and 4.9. 2 Tim. 2.11. It may be applyed to what went before, or to what follows.

This is the Doctrine I would have thee preach, maintain, and stand to.

That those who assent to these things as true, and have cast their Souls upon God and Jesus Christ for the fulfilling of them, may (considering good works are the condition annexed to the promise of this Eternal Life and Salvation) be careful to practise all that God hath commanded them in all their Relations.

That those who assent to these things as true, and have cast their Souls upon God and Jesus Christ for the fulfilling of them, may (considering good works are the condition annexed to the promise of this Eternal Life and Salvation) be careful to practise all that God hath commanded them in all their Relations.

All these things are true in themselves, and profitable for men to know and understand.

9 But avoid foolish questions , and genealogies , and contentions , and strivings about the law , for they are unprofitable, and vain k.

In the discharge of thy Ministry meddle not with idle questions, 2 Tim. 2.23. tending to no godly edifying.

And sifting out genealogies, 1 Tim. 1.4. and

strifes about words, or things unprofitable▪ Perverse disputings, and oppositions of science falsly so called, 1 Tim. 6.4, 5.

Particularly questions about the Law, the Traditions, and Constitutions of the Elders about it, these things are to no purpose or advantage.

10 A man that is an heretick , after the first and second admonition, reject .

Two things make up an heretick according to the common acceptation of the term now. 1. An error in some matters of Faith 2. Stubbornness and contumacy in the holding and maintaining of it, whether it so signified so early I cannot tell; it seems to refer to the former verse, supposing some, that notwithstanding all the endeavours of Titus, would be striving and contending for nicities about questions, genealogies, &c.

For such (saith the Apostle) admonish them once and again, if they will not have done.

Refuse them, reject them, whether Excommunication can be certainly builded upon this Text, may be doubted, [non-Latin text not transcribed] ▪ signifies no more than to avoid, reject, or refuse.

Marginal references: Matth. 18.17. Rom. 16.17. 2 Thess. 3.6, 14. 2 Joh. 10.

11 Knowing that he that is such, is subverted , and sinneth , being condemned of himself .

[non-Latin text not transcribed], Is turned out of the true and right way and road,

and is a transgressor, and

condemned of his own Conscience; for he who spends his time about questions and genealogies, and strifes of words, and little questions about the Law instead of preaching Christ, is told by his own Conscience that he doth not do his duty.

12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis , for I have determined there to winter s.

Of Artemas we read in no other place but of Tychicus often, they were both Ministers, one of which Paul intended to send to take care of the Church in Creet, in the absence of Titus,

whom he would have come to him to Nicopolis, where he designed to take up his Winter quarters, but being very loth that the Flock at Creet should for a little time be without a Shepherd, he limits the time of Titus, his setting out towards him till one of them should come into Creet.

Marginal references: Act. 20.4.

13 Bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey diligently , that nothing be want-unto them ing .

Of this Zenas we read no more in Holy Writ, but of Apollos we read both in the Acts, and 1 Cor. 3.4, 5, 22. it seemeth they were about to go to Paul to Nicopolis.

The Apostle would have Titus take care that they might want no necessaries that might accommodate them in their journey.

Marginal references: Act. 18.24.

14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses , that they be not unfruitful z.

Either those of our Order, Ministres of the Gospel, or those that are Christians, learn

in the Greek it is to excel, or to be in the front, or to shew forth, or maintain, and each fence hath its patrons of note

for the necessary uses of the Church, or of others, or for their own necessary uses. I take their sense who would expound the phrase, maintain good works, by learn some honest Trade to be forrein to the true sense of the phrase.

Marginal references: Or, to profess honest trades.; 2 Pet. 1.8.

15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith . Grace be with you all. Amen .

That love us, as we are Christians in, and for the Gospel.

The free love of God be thy portion, and the portion of all the Christians in Creet.