Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Titus Ch.1 / 3 Ch.s
TIT:1
** This epistle chiefly contains directions to Titus concerning
the elders of the Church, and the manner in which he should give
instruction; and the latter part tells him to urge obedience to
magistrates, to enforce good works, avoid foolish questions, and
shun heresies. The instructions the apostle gave are all plain
and simple. The Christian religion was not formed to answer
worldly or selfish views, but it is the wisdom of God and the
power of God.
* The apostle salutes Titus. (1-4) The qualifications of a
faithful pastor. (5-9) The evil temper and practices of false
teachers. (10-16)
#1-4 All are the servants of God who are not slaves of sin and
Satan. All gospel truth is according to godliness, teaching the
fear of God. The intent of the gospel is to raise up hope as
well as faith; to take off the mind and heart from the world,
and to raise them to heaven and the things above. How excellent
then is the gospel, which was the matter of Divine promise so
early, and what thanks are due for our privileges! Faith comes
by hearing, and hearing by the word of God; and whoso is
appointed and called, must preach the word. Grace is the free
favour of God, and acceptance with him. Mercy, the fruits of the
favour, in the pardon of sin, and freedom from all miseries both
here and hereafter. And peace is the effect and fruit of mercy.
Peace with God through Christ who is our Peace, and with the
creatures and ourselves. Grace is the fountain of all blessings.
Mercy, and peace, and all good, spring out of this.
#5-9 The character and qualification of pastors, here called
elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to
Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be
examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs
of his household, there is great reason that they should be
blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as
what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers
of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described
the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of
good works.
#10-16 False teachers are described. Faithful ministers must
oppose such in good time, that their folly being made manifest,
they may go no further They had a base end in what they did;
serving a worldly interest under pretence of religion: for the
love of money is the root of all evil. Such should be resisted,
and put to shame, by sound doctrine from the Scriptures.
Shameful actions, the reproach of heathens, should be far from
Christians; falsehood and lying, envious craft and cruelty,
brutal and sensual practices, and idleness and sloth, are sins
condemned even by the light of nature. But Christian meekness is
as far from cowardly passing over sin and error, as from anger
and impatience. And though there may be national differences of
character, yet the heart of man in every age and place is
deceitful and desperately wicked. But the sharpest reproofs must
aim at the good of the reproved; and soundness in the faith is
most desirable and necessary. To those who are defiled and
unbelieving, nothing is pure; they abuse, and turn things lawful
and good into sin. Many profess to know God, yet in their lives
deny and reject him. See the miserable state of hypocrites, such
as have a form of godliness, but are without the power; yet let
us not be so ready to fix this charge on others, as careful that
it does not apply to ourselves.