Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
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 Romans 1:1 it is "servant of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1; compare Acts 16:17; Revelation 1:1; Revelation 15:3). In Romans 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 contents. The peculiar form here would never have proceeded from a forger.
according to the faith--rather, "for," "with a view to subserve the faith"; this is the object of my apostleship (compare Titus 1:4, Titus 1:9; Romans 1:5).
the elect--for whose sake we ought to endure all things (2 Timothy 2:10). This election has its ground, not in anything belonging to those thus distinguished, but in the purpose and will of God from everlasting (2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 8:30-33; compare Luke 18:7; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 3:12). Acts 13:48 shows that all faith on the part of the elect, rests on the divine foreordination: they do not become elect by their faith, but receive faith, and so become believers, because they are elect.
and the acknowledging of the truth--"and (for promoting) the full knowledge of the truth," that is, the Christian truth (Ephesians 1:13).
after godliness--that is, which belongs to piety: opposed to the knowledge which has not for its object the truth, but error, doctrinal and practical (Titus 1:11, Titus 1:16; 1 Timothy 6:3); or even which has for its object mere earthly truth, not growth in the divine life. "Godliness," or "piety," is a term peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles: a fact explained by the apostle having in them to combat doctrine tending to "ungodliness" (2 Timothy 2:16; compare Titus 2:11-12).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
1 Timothy 4:7
2 Timothy 1:1
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