Commentary on the Epistle to Titus

“Commentary on the Epistle to Titus” (3 chapters) is one of the voluminous Commentaries on the 14 epistles of the Apostle Paul, written by Blessed. Theodoret of Cyrus later than all his other comments. In the preface, Bl. Theodoret briefly reveals the content of the apostolic letter. The Apostle Paul explains what shepherds should be like, mentions the Divine economy, and also “accuses some of the Jewish believers who are going to distort the saving sermon.” The interpretation also pays attention to moral instructions concerning different groups of people: elders, young people, women and slaves. The Divine Apostle brought saving teachings not only to the inhabitants of the land, but also to the islanders, and, above all others, illuminated Crete, a very great island, with the light of the knowledge of God. Having established the foundation of piety, he entrusted the rest of his care to the blessed Titus, whom he crowned with many praises in the Epistles to the Corinthians. He writes to him, firstly, teaching what those who are entrusted with Divine service should be like; then he accuses some of the Jewish believers who are going to distort the saving sermon. He also mentions the Divine Economy, showing its reason. Titus 1:1–2. Paul, a servant of God, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the mind of truth, even according to piety. About the hope of eternal life. Paul indifferently calls himself a servant, sometimes of Christ, sometimes of God, for he knows that dominion is common. The Apostle said that he was appointed for this purpose, so that those worthy of election would believe, know the truth of piety and receive the hope of eternal life. Then he shows the antiquity of the Divine sermon, even the promise of the unfaithful God before the eternal years, Titus 1:3. Reveal your word in your time by preaching, which I was entrusted with quickly by the command of our Savior God: From ancient times and before centuries, this was pleasing to the God of all, but he made it obvious when he was pleased with me and entrusted me with the preaching of the Economy. Titus 1:4. To Titus, ever-child of the common faith: grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Natural birth does not require the consent of the person being born, but birth by faith requires the consent of both the person giving birth and the person being born. For if the one who listens to the sermon, although the preacher sincerely believes, does not accept the instructions with faith, then he cannot be called the son of the preacher. Such kinship is reasonable. Therefore, what has been said: to the natural child of the common faith, makes it possible to see the virtue of blessed Titus. For, having entered into communion of faith with the Apostle, he was honored to call him father. Titus 1:5. For this reason, I will leave you in Crete and fix the unfinished situation. The Apostle showed that he himself laid the foundation of piety, for he says: “I will leave you, and fix the unfinished thing,” and, showing what exactly was unfinished, he added: And arrange a city of presbyters, as I commanded you. He says what rules he gave for this, and what kind of people should be elected for this. Titus 1:6. If anyone is blameless, he does not give any reason for a thorough accusation. The husband of one wife whose children is faithful, does not encourage fornication, or is disobedient. Requires the same distinctive properties that he depicted in the Epistles to Timothy. Titus 1:7. It is fitting for a bishop to be without blemish, like God’s builder. And from this it is clear that the Apostle called the presbyters bishops, for having said: and you organized presbyters in a city, he added: it is fitting for a bishop to be without blemish. In every city there are usually many presbyters, and not bishops. Titus 1:8. I am not self-pleasing, not angry, not a drunkard, not a murderer, not filthy acquisitive, but hospitable, kind, chaste, righteous, reverent, temperate. The Apostle says the same thing in his Epistle to Timothy. He calls the impudent one pleasing to himself, the vindictive one who is angry, the one who gets drunk as a drunkard, and the one who inflicts punishment without reason as a killer. Titus 1:9. To the one who holds the word according to doctrine, may he be able to console those who are in sound doctrine and to reprove those who oppose them. Legitimizes not being eloquent, but knowledgeable in Divine words. For whoever understands them clearly teaches useful teaching to believers and exposes the lies of their opponents. Having thus demonstrated the distinctive qualities of the priest, the Apostle turns his speech to accusing those who intend to preach some unclean and corrupt teachings. Titus 1:10–11. The essence is that there are many who are disobedient, talkers of vainness and a deceived mind, especially those who are of circumcision, whose lips must be stopped, He also speaks about the manner of their idle talk. who corrupt all houses, more often than not, for the sake of profit Having said this about those who teach otherwise, the Apostle imposes punishment on those who fall into deception; they were pagans, and not Jews; and this makes it clear what is being added: Titus 1:12. Someone from them spoke, his prophet to them: The Cretans are ever deceitful, evil beasts, idle bellies. Titus 1:13. This evidence is true: Callimachus was not a Jewish prophet (and this is the beginning of his poem), but a pagan poet. But he called the Cretans liars for the tomb of Zeus 1. The Divine Apostle called this testimony true, not confirming poetic mythology, but denouncing the Cretans of the inconsistency of their opinions, as if saying: “He called you well liars, and you really remained so.” But the so-called Zeus probably died elsewhere, and the Cretans built his tomb in vain. Titus 1:13. even for the sake of guilt, rebuke them mercilessly, so that they may be healthy in the faith, Titus 1:14. people who turn away from the truth do not heed Jewish fables or commandments. The Apostle did not call the Law Jewish fables, but the interpretation of the Law proposed by the Jews. The Lord also accused the Jews of this: “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for your traditions?” (Matthew 15:3). “And this: reprove them mercilessly does not contradict what was said: with meekness I punish those who oppose them” (2 Tim. 2:25), because those who have not believed must still modestly and meekly preach the Divine teaching, and those who have promised to believe and those who attempt to act contrary to the faith must be treated with harsh medicine. Then the Apostle shows the purpose of observing the [prescriptions of the Old Testament] Law. Titus 1:15. All squalor is pure to the pure; to the defiled and unfaithful, nothing is pure, but their mind and conscience are defiled. Patriarch Abraham and the lamps of piety who came before him did not accept any law regarding food; God gave the law about this to the Jews, thereby preparing something else, which now is not the time to talk about, because at the present time we have taken upon ourselves the work of interpretation, and not accusations of the Jews. The God-wise Paul also said about them: Titus 1:16. They confess God, but His deeds are rejected; they are scoundrels and disobedient, and inexperienced in every good work. They strive to honor the God of all, but act directly contrary to what is pleasing to Him. For God limited the Law to a certain time; At that time they did not fulfill the Law, but when the time was up, they stood firmly for the Law. Titus 2:1. You speak as befits sound doctrine. Let them not confuse you, says the Apostle, by those who teach otherwise; teach Divine instructions according to custom. He also says something appropriate for every age. Titus 2:2. Be a sober old man, Always stay awake and sober and have the discretion appropriate to your age. And decent in appearance. Caring for a good life. living faith, love, patience So that they can sincerely believe, and be distinguished by love for one’s neighbor, and courageously endure what they suffer from the hostile enemies of the truth. Titus 2:3. The old women are also decorated with sacral decorations, The Apostle called “old women” those who were advanced in years, and not those who were worthy of any service; He called the decency of sedate behavior sacrilegious. not slanderous, not blaming the many enslaved, . I made this clear in the Epistle to Timothy (1 Tim. 3:3). Then the Apostle tells whom and what they should teach. Titus 2:4. May the young ones be wise, lovers of manhood, lovers of children, Titus 2:5. chaste, pure, ruling houses well, good, repentant husbands, so that the word of God is not blasphemed, For the fact that others left their husbands under the pretext of piety brought blasphemy to the preaching. Titus 2:6. Young men also pray to be chaste. For this virtue primarily adorns youth, because it is more strongly attacked by the passion of lust. Then the Apostle teaches how teaching should be made convincing. Titus 2:7. About everything, giving himself an image of good deeds, in teaching. Let life be an example of the teachings you propose, because the word, evidenced by deeds, becomes worthy of trust.” The Apostle will tell you what should be done. Integrity, honesty, incorruptibility - these are the hallmarks of praiseworthy deeds! The Apostle also sets out the rules of right teaching. Titus 2:8. The word is sound, not shameful. And such is the word, adorned with spiritual grace. Let the nasty one be put to shame, having nothing to say reproachfully about us. For when what is said is adorned with truth, and what is done agrees with the words, then the mouths of even the most evil-speakers are stopped. Titus 2:9. Slaves, obey your master and be pleasing in everything. It is said in everything, that is, related to the provision of bodily services to masters. For if the master commands wickedness, then he does not oblige the slave to obey; and this is clear from what follows. Titus 2:10. Not backbiting, not stealing, but showing faith in every good thing. May they be adorned with goodwill and freedom, and may they take care to provide services to their masters. And this, as clearly, the Apostle legitimizes to the slaves who have already believed. For he added this too: May the teachings of our Savior God be adorned in everything. For it is to the praise of Divine preaching that the servants also allowed such a change of thoughts within themselves. Then the Apostle sets forth the purpose of the Divine Economy. Titus 2:11–12. For the grace of God to save all man has appeared, punishing us, so that, having rejected wickedness and worldly lusts, we may live chastely, righteously and piously in this present world. For this reason, the Only Begotten Son of God was incarnate, so that all people, both masters and servants, might be worthy of salvation, having prepared them to leave behind wickedness and lawless life. But the Apostle also showed us the straight path, commanding us to live in piety and chastity; It also shows the fruit of success. Titus 2:13. Waiting for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. The Apostle also gave us the hope of His glorious coming, in which He promised to accomplish the greatest rewards. The Apostle called Christ the Great God, denouncing heretical blasphemy. It reminds us of the Lord’s suffering by what has already been accomplished, assuring us of the future. Titus 2:14. He who gave Himself food for us, may He deliver us from all iniquity and purify Himself as chosen people, zealous for good deeds. For this reason, Christ accepted death for all of us, so that, having stopped the torment of death, he could deliver us from this bitter slavery and make us His own people, a lover and zealot of praiseworthy deeds. Titus 2:15. Say this, and pray, and reprove with every command: let no one despise you, that is, he does not neglect you. For one who has learned Divine lessons should do this not with compliance and some kind of fear, but teach with boldness and reprimand where necessary. Titus 3:1. Remember to those who are in charge and in control to obey and repent. And since those in power were then wicked, the Apostle, of necessity, added division. And be ready for every good deed. For one must not obey one’s superiors in everything, but pay dues and taxes, render due honor, but if they order to dishonor, then openly contradict. Titus 3:2. Not a single blasphemy, that is, not to speak ill of anyone. Do not be grumpy, but be quiet, showing meekness to everyone. This does not contradict what was said before. For, as I have already said, the Apostle commands that the teaching be taught to unbelievers quietly and meekly, and that if they sin, believers should be boldly reprimanded. He also explains the reason for meekness. Titus 3:3. Because sometimes we are foolish, rebellious, seduced, working with various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, scoundrels in existence, hating each other. Let us recall our previous behavior, imagine in our minds how many bad qualities we had; and when we were such, the God of all made us worthy of salvation. Therefore, we too will endure the evil of those who are still in error. The Divine Apostle included himself in the same number, not as subject to all these accusations, but as a former persecutor; for not all were subject to all vices, but some to one, and others to another, yet all received salvation. Titus 3:4–7. When the grace and love for mankind appeared of our Savior God, not from the works of the righteous, which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us by the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus Christ our Savior poured out on us richly, so that, having been justified by His grace, we would be heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The Lord, says the Apostle, having shown love for mankind, through the Only Begotten freed us from previous evils, by saving Baptism, granting us remission of sins and recreating and renewing us, granting us the gift of the Spirit and showing the path of righteousness, and promised the Kingdom of Heaven to those who follow them. And since it is invisible, for hope that is visible is not hope (Rom. 8:24), then the Apostle necessarily added: that is, truly, no one doubts. and about these, I want to strengthen you, so that those who have believed in God will take care of good deeds: For faith is not sufficient for salvation for those who do not have good works (cf. James 2:20). this essence is useful to man and good - believe in God and lead life according to His laws. Titus 3:9. Retreat from other rivalries and genealogies and zeal and legal quarrels: they are useless and vain. “Try to avoid useless interviews, because they bring no benefit to either the interviewee or the listener.” This is what the Apostle added: “The essence is useless and vain.” He said this again about the Jewish believers; He also wrote about them to Blessed Timothy (1 Tim. 4:7). Titus 3:10–11. Deny the human heretic the first and second punishment, knowing that such a person has become corrupted and sins and is self-condemned. When you teach the proper teaching two or three times to those who are trying to teach the opposite, and then you see that they remain with their evil dogmas, then do not enter into interviews with them, because this is useless work. Titus 3:12. Whenever I send Artem or Tychicus to you, try to come to me in Nikopol: there will be a lot of judgment there. Nikopol is located in Thrace, close to Macedonia. Therefore, it is clear that the Apostle wrote this Epistle while he was in Macedonia and Achaia. Titus 3:13. Zina the lawyer and Apollos were soon left behind, and nothing would be enough for them. And since blessed Titus led a non-covetous life, the Apostle, of necessity, added: Titus 3:14. Let ours also learn through good deeds to meet the necessary demands, so that they will not be fruitless. Teach the believers to take care of the bodily services of those who are entrusted with teaching the Divine. For they must bear such fruits as well. Titus 3:15. Those who exist with me kiss you. Kiss us who love us in faith. The Teacher of Truth did not want to be loved otherwise, but only for a pious purpose. Grace be with you all. Amen. The divine Apostle wrote this to blessed Titus, but he also brought us all the benefit contained in this, because we too, as from common treasures, derive wealth from this. May God grant us to keep what we have collected in Christ Jesus our Lord! With Him be glory, honor and power to the Father and the All-Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen. The Epistle to Titus, Bishop of the Cretan Church, written from Nicopolis in Macedonia. The Cretans showed the tomb of Zeus near Knossos, and the pagan poet Callimachus (c. 310-240 BC) in the Hymn to Zeus reproached them for this as a lie.