1. An apostle—according to the faith of God’s elect, etc. The norm of the apostolate in each of the three Epistles is unique, and not Pauline. In 1 Tim., according to the com- mandment of God: in 2 'Tim., according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Karta according to, not for the faith, but cor- responding to the norm or standard of faith which is set for God’s elect.
And acknowledging of the truth (kal ériyvwow adn- Getas). For acknowledging rend. knowledge. For the phrase, see on 1 Tim. ii. 4. Governed, like wiotw faith, by xara. The writer is an apostle according to the faith of God’s elect, and according to the truth which is contained in the faith, as that truth is intelligently apprehended and held.
Which is after godliness (ris Kat’ evogBecav). Or accord- ing to godliness. Comp.1 Tim. vi. 8. This addition describes the peculiar and essential character of the truth which is held and known by God’s elect, namely, that it is concerned with the fear and obedience of God —all that constitutes true piety. See on 1 Tim. i. 10.
2. In hope of eternal life (én €dridu Sons aiwviov). Const. with Apostle, ver. 1.* Emi resting upon.
* Not with rloriy, nor érlyvwowv, nor ddnGelas, neither of which rest upon hope; nor with ris kar’ edcéBeay, which is a defining clause complete in
itself. 831
332 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Ca. L.
God that cannot lie (6 dyevdys Beds). ’Ayrevdys, N. T.°. Once in LXX, Wisd. vii. 17. Comp. Rom. iii. 4; Heb. vi. 18. Paul expresses the idea positively, by 4dnOys truthful, Rom. iii. 4,
Before the world began (po ypdvev aiwviov). Lit. before eternal times. Before time began to be reckoned by aeons. See on 2 Tim. i. 9, and additional note on 2 Th. i. 9.
3. In due times (xarpois idious). Better, in his (or tts) own seasons. See on 1 Tim. ii. 6.
Through preaching (év «nptyuate). Rather, in a proc- lamation. See on 2 Tim. iy. 17.
Which is committed unto me (6 éuctevOnv eyo). Better, wherewith I was intrusted. See on 1 Tim. i. 11.
4, Own (yvnolm). See on 1 Tim. i. 2.
According to the common faith (cata xowny miotiv). The phrase N. T.°. Kovvds common, usually in contrast with KaQapeos pure or aytos holy, as Acts x. 14; xi. 8; Apoc. xxi. 27. In the sense of general as here, Acts ii. 44; iv. 82; Jude 8. Comp. 2 Pet.i. 1. The “catholic” faith. Kara according to, as ver. 1.
5. In Crete. Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. By the mythological writers it was called Aeria, Doliché, Idaea, Telchinia. According to tradition, Minos first gave laws to the Cretans, conquered the Aegean pirates, and established a navy. After the Trojan war the principal cities of the island formed themselves into several republics, mostly independent. The chief cities were Cnos- sus, Cydonia, Gortyna, and Lyctus. Crete was annexed to the Roman Empire B.c. 67. About Paul’s visiting the island we have no information whatever beyond the hints in this Epistle. There is no absolute proof that Paul was ever there
Cz)L] THE EPISTLE TO TITUS. 333
before the voyage to Rome. Although on that voyage some time appears to have been spent at Crete, there is no notice of Paul having received any greeting from the members of the Christian churches there. According to this Epistle, Paul and Titus had worked there together. Paul went away, and left Titus to organise the churches founded by himself. He sent this letter by Zenas and Apollos (iii. 18), and announced in it the coming of Artemas or of Tychicus. On their arrival Titus was to join Paul at Nicopolis, where Paul was propos- ing to winter.
Shouldst set in order (émidvopPwon). N.T.°. Lit. to set straight besides or farther; that is, should arrange what remained to be set in order after Paul’s departure. Used by medical writers of setting broken limbs or straightening crooked ones. Auép@wcts reformation, Heb. ix. 10: dudpAwpa correction, Acts xxiv. 3.