Titus Chapter 1

“Paul, a servant of God, etc.] So James styles himself, (<590101>James 1:1) and others of the apostles, as Peter and Jude, call themselves the servants of Jesus Christ; and as does the Apostle Paul also; and both seem to be esteemed by them as high characters and titles of honour, by which they chose to be described and known. Paul, before his conversion, was a servant of sin, of divers lusts and pleasures, and which he owns in this epistle, (<560303>Titus 3:3) but being called by grace, he became free from the vassalage of sin, and became a servant of God, and of righteousness; and henceforward, from a principle…”

“ADDRESS: FOR WHAT END TITUS WAS LEFT IN CRETE. QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS: GAINSAYERS IN CRETE NEEDING REPROOF. (Tit. 1:1-16) servant of God--not found elsewhere in the same connection. In Rom 1:1 it is "servant of Jesus Christ" (Gal 1:10; Phi 1:1; compare Act 16:17; Rev 1:1; Rev 15:3). In Rom 1:1, there follows, "called to be an apostle," which corresponds to the general designation of the office first, "servant of GOD," here, followed by the special description, "apostle of Jesus Christ." The full expression of his apostolic office answers, in both Epistles, to the design, and is a comprehensive index to the…”

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ - See notes at Romans 1:1; compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:1-5. According to the faith of God’s elect - Compare the Romans 8:33 note; Ephesians 1:4 note; 2 Timothy 2:10 note. The meaning of the word rendered here, “according to” - κατὰ kata - is, probably, with reference to; that is, he was appointed to be an apostle with respect to the faith of those whom God had chosen, or, in order that they might be led to believe the gospel. God had chosen them to salvation, but he intended that it should be in connection with their believing, and, in order to…”

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ - Titles suitable to the person of Paul, and the office he was assigning to Titus. According to the faith - The propagating of which is the proper business of an apostle. A servant of God - According to the faith of the elect. An apostle of Jesus Christ - According to the knowledge of the truth. We serve God according to the measure of our faith: we fulfil our public office according to the measure of our knowledge. The truth that is after godliness - Which in every point runs parallel with and supports the vital, spiritual worship of God; and, indeed, has no…”

“1:1-4 The opening of Titus, like that of 1 Timothy (1 Tim 1:1-2), establishes Paul’s authority for his delegate. 1:1 and to teach . . . godly lives: See 2:11-14; 1 Tim 6:3.”

“a servant: Ch1 6:49; Rom 1:1; Phi 1:1 faith: Joh 10:26, Joh 10:27; Act 13:48; Eph 2:8; Th2 2:13, Th2 2:14; Ti1 1:5 the acknowledging: Col 2:2; Ti2 2:23, Ti2 2:25; Jo1 2:23 after: Tit 2:11, Tit 2:12; Ti1 1:4, Ti1 3:16, Ti1 6:3; Pe2 1:3, Pe2 3:11 Titus 1:2”