Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Titus 3:15
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace [be] with you all. Amen.
15. Closing Salutation
15. All that are with me salute thee ] The companions of his journey or sojourn, cf. Gal 1:2; Col 4:7-14. They are not specified and would be changing, as his needs and their feelings changed, cf. 2Ti 4:9-12.
Greet them that love us in the faith ] Rather: salute them that love us in faith, ‘in faith,’ as 1Ti 1:2 ‘my true child in faith,’ i.e. spiritually, where see note. The phrase marks the gradual crystallising of the word ‘faith,’ somewhat as ‘our Christian friends’ has become a modern formula: cf. Tit 1:4 ‘in communion of faith.’
Grace be with you all. Amen ] The shortest form of the Benediction, the fullest being at the end of 2 Cor. ‘An inclusive benediction that comprehends the episcopus and those committed to his oversight, Titus and all the faithful in Crete.’ Bp Ellicott; who rejects the final ‘Amen,’ as at the end of both the letters to Timothy, though the ms. authority for it is stronger here, on the ground that accidental omission seems less probable than insertion. The end recalls the beginning; the Apostle, whose sphere of ministry was the faith and full knowledge of the Cretan Christians, prays for ‘grace’ to be with them ‘all.’
The subscription given above has no sufficient authority; see note at end of 1 Tim.; and for ‘Macedonia’ note above, Tit 3:12. The best supported subscription here is simply To Titus.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
All that are with me salute thee – Notes, Rom 16:3. Paul, at the close of his epistles, usually mentions the names of those who sent affectionate salutations. Here it would seem to be implied that Titus knew who were with Paul, and also that he himself had been traveling with him. He evidently refers not to those who were residing in the place where he was, but to those who had gone with him from Crete as his companions.
Greet them that love us in the faith – In the faith of the gospel, or as Christians. No names are here mentioned; compare 1Th 5:26; Col 4:15.
Grace be with you all – Notes, Rom 1:7; Rom 16:20.
The subscription, It was written to Titus, etc., is, like the other subscriptions at the close of the epistles, of no authority whatever; see the close of the notes at 1 Cor. In this subscription there are probably two errors:
(1) In the statement that Titus was ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians; because:
(a)There is no evidence that there was a church there called the church of the Cretians, as there were doubtless many churches on the island;
(b)There is no evidence that Titus was the first Bishop of the church there, or that he was the first one there to whom might be properly applied the term bishop in the Scriptural sense. Indeed, there is positive evidence that he was not the first, for Paul was there with him, and Titus was left there to complete what he had begun.
- There is no evidence that Titus was bishop there at all in the prelatical sense of the term, or even that he was a settled pastor; see the notes at Tit 3:1, Tit 3:5.
(2) That the epistle was written from Nicopolis of Macedonia; for
(a)There is no certain evidence that it was written at Nicopolis at all, though this is probable;
(b)There is no reason to believe that the Nicopolis referred to was in Macedonia; see Introduction 4.
These subscriptions are so utterly destitute of authority, and are so full of mistakes, that it is high time they were omitted in the editions of the Bible. They are no part of the inspired writings, but are of the nature of notes and comments, and are constantly doing something, perhaps much, to perpetuate-error. The opinion that Timothy and Titus were prelatical bishops, the one of Ephesus and the other of Crete, depends far more on these worthless subscriptions than on anything in the epistles themselves. Indeed, there is no evidence of it in the epistles; and, if these subscriptions were removed, no man from the New Testament would ever suppose that they sustained this office at all.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Tit 3:15
Greet them that love us in the faith
Christian love
Hence note that religion bindeth man to man in the straightest bond; for
1.
The Spirit is the tier of it; and hence is it called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; and indeed it must be a wonderful bond that can reconcile such deadly enemies as men are before they come into the kingdom of Christ (Isa 11:6).
2. Gods image, wheresoever it is, is exceeding beautiful, and a great binder, especially where renewed and repaired; which being once espied, let the outward condition be what it can be, a religious heart seeth sufficient matter of love, and will knit the soul unto the soul of such a one.
3. It addeth strength and firmness to all other bonds of nature, affinity, desert, etc., and maketh them more natural. What a true friend was Jonathan to David! Because he saw that God was with him his soul clave unto him; though the kingdom was to be rent from him for it, yet could he not rend his heart from David. If Joseph had not had more than nature, he could not but have revenged such infinite wrongs upon his brethren; whereas the grace of his heart made him say, It was not you, my brethren, but God sent me before you. Consider also of the example beyond all imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to the death for us when we were yet His enemies.
4. This love must needs be most lasting; for being love in the truth for the truths sake, it shall continue so long as the truth doth; but the truth abideth with us, and shall abide with us forever; and this is the cause, that whereas the love of nature dieth with it, and the love of wicked men dieth with their persons, this love liveth in death, yea, when it goeth to heaven with a man, and getteth strength and perfection thee faith ceaseth, and hope vanisheth away.
Use
1. Whence we are taught most familiarly to embrace them that love us in the faith, and to make most account of their love. Many love in the face, many in the flesh, many in nature, only the love of Christians is a fruit of faith, a work of the Spirit, and therefore a surer bond than they all. Well knew the apostle that none was in comparison worth having but this; he calleth for no other, he careth for no other, he mentioneth no other.
2. Such as set into any society with others, if he would have it comfortable unto him, let him strengthen all other natural or civil bonds by this bond of religion; let him labour to begin his love in the faith, or, if he have begun elsewhere already, let him reform the same hereby if he look for any sound comfort in his estate; for this is the cause that men often have so little return of love from their wives, so little obedience from their children, so little duty from their servants, so slender respect from their equals, because they begin their love and duties at a wrong end, and have for other respects affected those with whom they live, but the least, if at all, for grace and religion, which of all is the soundest, most profitable, and most comfortable. (T. Taylor, D. D.)
Shake hands
Shake hands with somebody as you go out of church. The more of it the better, if it is expressive of real interest and feeling. There may be a great deal of the spirit of the gospel put into a hearty shake of the hand. Think of St. Pauls four times repeated request–Greet one another–after the custom then in common use, and one which is expressive of even warmer feeling than our common one of handshaking. Why not give your neighbours the benefit of the warm Christian feeling that fills you to your finger tips, and receive the like from them in return? You will both be benefited by it; and the stranger will go away feeling that the Church is not, after all, so cold as he had thought it to be.
Christian love
A lady and her little daughter, passing out of church, the child bade goodbye to a poorly dressed little girl. How did you know her? inquired the mother. Why, you see, mamma, she came into our Sabbath School alone, and I made a place for her on my seat, and I smiled and she smiled, and then we were acquainted.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 15. All that are with me] He means his companions in the ministry.
Salute thee.] Wish thee well, and desire to be affectionately remembered to thee.
Greet them that love us in the faith,] All that love us for Christ’s sake, and all that are genuine Christians.
Grace be with you] May the Divine favour be your portion for ever.
Some MSS. read, The grace of the Lord be with you all; others, The grace of God be with you all; and one, Grace be with THY spirit, as if the greeting was sent to Titus only, whereas the others send it to the whole Church at Crete.
Amen.] This is wanting in ACD, and some others.
The subscriptions are, as usual, various. Those of the VERSIONS are the following: –
The Epistle to Titus was written from Nicopolis; and sent by the hands of Zena and Apollo. – SYRIAC.
To the man Titus. – AETHIOPIC.
The end of the epistle: it was written from Nicopolis. Incessant and eternal praise be to the God of glory. Amen. – ARABIC.
Written in Nicopolis, and sent by Artemas, his disciple. – COPTIC.
The Epistle to Titus is ended, who was the first bishop of the Church of the Cretans: and it was written from Nicopolis of Macedonia. – PHILOXENIAN SYRIAC.
There is no subscription in the VULGATE.
The MANUSCRIPTS are also various.
To Titus. – C, and Clarom.
That to Titus is completed: that to Philemon begins. – DEFG.
To Titus, written from Nicopolis. – A.
To Titus, written from Nicopolis of Macedonia. – of the Macedonians. – From Nicopolis, which is a province of Macedonia.
Paul the apostle’s Epistle to Titus.
To Titus, ordained the first bishop of the Church of the Cretans: written from Nicopolis of Macedonia. – Common Greek Text.
To Titus, archbishop of Crete. – One of the Vienna MSS., written A. D. 1331.
THERE is not one of these subscriptions of any authority, and some of them are plainly ridiculous. We do not know that Titus was what we term bishop, much less that he was ordained bishop of Crete, as appointed to a particular see; and still less that he was the first bishop there. As to his being archbishop, that is the fiction of a time of deep darkness. That the epistle was written from some place near to Nicopolis, of Epirus, is very probable. That it was not written at Nicopolis is evident; and that this was not Nicopolis of Macedonia is also very probable. See the preface to this epistle for farther information on this point. And see a treatise by old Mr. Prynne entitled, The unbishoping of Timothy and Titus, 4to. Lond. 1636 and 1660, where, among many crooked things, there are some just observations.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Greet them that love us in the faith; that love us as we are Christians, in and for the gospel.
Grace be with you all. Amen: the free love of God be thy portion, and the portion of all the Christians in Crete.
It was written to Titus, ordained the first Bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. Greet“Salutethem that love us in the faith.” All at Crete had not this loverooted in faith, the true bond of fellowship. A salutationpeculiar to this Epistle, such as no forger would have used.
GraceGreek,“The grace,” namely, of God.
with you allnot thatthe Epistle is addressed to all the Cretan Christians, butTitus would naturally impart it to his flock.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
All that are with me salute thee,…. All the apostles, fellow labourers, and the ministers of the Gospel that were with him; and all the members of the church where he was, sent their Christian salutation to Titus; he being a person greatly esteemed, and whose praise was in all the churches:
greet them that love us in the faith; not merely as men, as their countrymen, as related to them in the flesh; or on account of any external things, but as believers; because of the doctrine of faith, professed and preached; and because of the grace of faith obtained and possessed; or who love us faithfully, sincerely, and uprightly, from their hearts, and not in word and tongue only:
grace be with you all, Amen; which is the common concluding salutation in all Paul’s epistles. This shows that this epistle was not designed for Titus only, but for the saints at Crete.
It was written to Titus the first bishop of the church of the Cretians. But this subscription, as many others, is not to be depended upon; it is not very likely that Titus was bishop of this church at all; since his stay there was but short, nor indeed elsewhere, seeing he was an evangelist; though this is asserted both by Eusebius d, and Sophronius e, who adds, that he died and was buried here: and what follows, that it was written
from Nicopolis of Macedonia, does not seem to be just, as may be concluded from Tit 3:12. Many learned men think it was written from Colosse, or some neighbouring place; though when he wrote his epistle to the Colossians it looks as if he had never been there before: the Syriac version adds, “sent by the hands of Zenas and Apollos”; which is not unlikely, since he desires they might be accommodated by Titus with what was necessary for the remaining part of their journey, Tit 3:13.
d Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 4. e In Hieron. Eccl. Script. Catalog. sect. 12.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
That love us ( ). Paul craved the love of his friends as opposed to 2:8.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Them that love us in the faith [ ] . Better, in faith. The phrase N. T. o. Filein to love, only here in Pastorals, and in Paul, only 1Co 16:22. See on ajgaph love, Gal. verse
Const. in faith with that love us.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “All that are with me salute thee.” (aspazontai se oi met’ emou pantes) “All those in close fellowship with me salute thee or greet thee.”
2) “Greet them that love us in the faith. (aspasai tous philountas hemas en pistei) “Greet those who affectionately love us in (the) faith, or a faithful way.”
3) “Grace be with you all. Amen. (he charis meta panton humon) “The keeping grace be in closeness with all of you.” 2Co 13:14; Heb 13:9; Rev 22:21. It is this “abiding grace” that Paul desired to dwell with Titus and the Cretian brethren.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(15) All that are with me salute thee.It is uncertain where Paul was when he wrote this letter. All that are with me include those with him, journeying in his company. They are not named, because the individuals composing the immediate following of St. Paul would be likely to be well known to Titus.
Greet them that love us in the faith.An inclusive greeting, embracing each member of the Cretan Church whose love to him (St. Paul) was based upon the common faith in the Lord Jesus. Greet all who love me, as the earnest preacher of their faith and mine.
Amen.The greater number of the ancient authorities omit Amen.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. All with me Though Paul now calls Titus and others to him, there are a number with him. These were his retinue (see notes Act 20:4; Act 21:18) of fellow-labourers. They came and went by his direction.
Love us Christian acquaintances who specially cherished his remembrance.
You all Not all the Churches of Crete, but all the attendant labourers of Titus. It was a salutation from Paul’s retinue to Titus. The subscription affirming that the epistle was written from Nicopolis is clearly erroneous, as is shown by the word there in Tit 3:12.
‘All who are with me salute you. Salute those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all.
Paul then closes off by sending greetings from all who are with him, and calls on Titus to salute all who are loyal to Paul and love him as a brother. And he finally wishes that God’s unmerited goodness will be with them all.
Tit 3:15. Grace be with you all. Amen. This salutation shews, that though the epistle was directed and sent to Titus, it was intended for the benefit of all the true Christians in Crete.
Inferences.The remembrance of the irregularities with which we ourselves were once chargeable, and of that sinful and miserable state in which we once were, should make us candid to others, and silence our severe censures against them, ch. Tit 3:2. Let the kindness, the infinite philanthropy of God, be daily celebrated and adored by us; of GOD, who saves the faithful by his own rich and overflowing mercy; who hath justified us by his free grace in Christ, and thereby made us heirs, according to the hope of eternal life. Nor let us ever forget how much we are indebted to the regenerating and renewing influences of the Holy Ghost, shed abroad upon us richly by Jesus Christ our Saviour. May it wash and purify our souls more and more from every stain of sin, and inspire us with a pious ardour to honour our profession by a holy life! having professed out belief in God, may we carefully practice all the graces and virtues of the Christian character; for those things are indeed good and profitable to men;guarding at the same time against all those airy curiosities, and abstruse speculations, which on the contrary are unprofitable and vain.
How greatly is it to be wished, that all the churches of Christ were delivered from such factious members and teachers, as would depart from the infallible rule of truth laid down in the word of God, and subvert the faith once delivered to the saints;introducing, instead of it, the doctrines of men, and teaching things which tend to alienate the minds of Christians from the gospel, and from each other, in order to set up their own authority, and promote a private secular interest! we ought undoubtedly to be cautious how we pass such a censure on particular persons, without clear and evident proof; but when such proof arises, and the persons in question appear to be the turbulent and pernicious heretics that St. Paul describes, Tit 3:10 it were to be wished that they might always meet with the treatment which he recommends. They ought first to be plainly and seriously admonished; and if repeated admonitions are rejected, it is the duty of the wiser and sounder parts of Christian churches to expel them; that so they may be less capable of doing mischief, and that the gangrene of such pernicious principles may not spread, to the disgrace and ruin of the churches to which they belong.
But, let us ever remember, this is all the remedy which the sacred scriptures suggest or furnish out to us: and they who, to the solemn censure of disturbed and injured churches, add any corporal severities, or civil penalties whatsoever,or take up weapons which Christ has never put into their hands, may very probably do more mischief in the church and in the world, than the most erroneous of those against whom they would arm their terrors.
[ See Calmet, Benson, Michaelis, Lardner, Grotius, Hammond, Doddridge, Bentley, Lightfoot, Raphelius, Wetstein, Parkhurst, Spanheim, Erasmus, Beza, Bishop Pocock, Elsner, Plutarch, Morris, Wolfius, Suicer, Locke, Bishop Sherlock, Barrow, Taylor, L’Enfant, Craddock, and Heylin.]
REFLECTIONS.1st, The apostle proceeds,
1. To direct Titus respecting the obedience which he must inculcate as due to the civil magistrate. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, under whatever government they live; to obey magistrates with loyalty and willing submission; to be ready to every good work, rendering to all degrees of men the duty owing to them: to speak evil of or calumniate no man, not reviling the magistrates, nor raising any slanderous report of any human being; to be no brawlers, disturbing the peace of society, turbulent and quarrelsome; but gentle in temper and manners, shewing all meekness unto all men, however perverse or provoking their conduct may be toward us.
2. He suggests the most cogent reasons to enforce his exhortation. [2.] The kindness and love of God to them in their miserable estate, should engage them to shew the like pity and compassion toward others. But after that, vile as we were, the kindness and love of God our Saviour, notwithstanding, toward man appeared, most illustriously displayed in his glorious gospel; not by works of righteousness which we had done, for all our works were the very reverse, and merited only wrath to the uttermost; but according to his mercy, in the most astonishing manner extended to the miserable and the desperate, he hath saved us freely, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, who is the glorious agent of the divine change wrought in regeneration; cleansing our souls from the power of corruption, quickening us to a life of grace and holiness, maintaining and carrying it on in the faithful unto the perfect day; which Holy Ghost he shed on us abundantly, both in his gifts and graces, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, the purchaser of every blessing for his faithful people, and the dispenser of this Spirit unto them; that being justified by his grace, and through faith of the operation of God brought into a state of pardon and reconciliation, we should be made heirs of glory according to the hope of eternal life, which he hath given us in that adored Redeemer, who hath obtained a complete salvation for every faithful saint, not only from all the miseries of sin, but unto all the blessedness of eternity. Note; (1.) The salvation of the sinner is entirely of grace; pardon, holiness, and hope of life eternal, are all the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Saviour, and will be all realized to every persevering believer. (2.) Though we are justified freely, not for any righteousness of our own, but of God’s mere favour; yet do we from that moment become different men, and new creatures, by the Spirit of our God renewed in our minds, and pressing after the glory which is prepared for the righteous.
2nd, The apostle, 2. He cautions him what to shun. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, which the Judaizing teachers affect, to the great prejudice of Christianity; for they are unprofitable and vain; tending to no one useful purpose, but sowing discord in the church, and corrupting the simplicity of the gospel.
3. A man that is an heretic, who openly professes and maintains doctrines subversive of the fundamental articles of faith, after the first and second admonition reject; if he continue obstinate in his errors, remove him from your communion, and acknowledge him no longer as a brother: knowing that he that is such, is subverted, apostate from Christ, the only foundation; and sinneth wilfully, being condemned of himself; openly broaching his sentiments, departing from the confession of the true faith, which he formerly made, and avowedly separating himself from the church of God. Note; They who refuse to be reclaimed from important errors by repeated admonition, must be cut off from the body of the visible church by excommunication.
3rdly, We have, 3. He concludes with salutations and his apostolic benediction. All that are with me, salute thee affectionately. Greet them that love us in the faith, and are one in sentiment and heart with us. Grace be with you all, in its most abundant fruits and richest manifestations, Amen! So prays your faithful friend.
Tit 3:15 . End.
] is not to be understood generally of believers, but of the apostle’s fellow-workers.
] marks the inner, personal relation. The distinction between and is plain from a comparison of Joh 3:16 , , with Joh 16:17 , ; also Mat 10:37 : , i.e. the apostle. ] “with you all,” i.e. “with thee and all Cretan believers.” The form of the benediction does not imply that Titus was to communicate the epistle to the churches in Crete.
REFLECTIONS
READER! I would pass by all observations on men and things, while reading this sweet scripture, and beg for grace to have all my thoughts directed to that one, glorious contemplation, brought before the Church in this Chapter, namely, the kindness and love of God the Father toward man, in his original, and eternal purpose, concerning the Church in Christ; Jesus’s mercy, in betrothing, and redeeming his Church; and God the Spirit, pouring out his regenerating, and renewing grace, which he hath shed abundantly on the Church, and is forever shedding, on all the members of the body, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Oh! the unspeakable felicity of being justified by the Lord’s grace, and made heirs according to the hope of eternal life!
Blessed Spirit of all Truth! praises to thine Almighty name, for this precious portion of thine inspired scripture, through the ministry of thy servant Paul. The memory of all the Paul’s, and Titus’s, which God the Holy Ghost hath raised up as servants in his Church, is precious; and thy faithful, desire grace to bless the Lord for their labors of love. But, oh! thou Holy Lord the Comforter! what praise shall we offer thee, for thine Almighty Ministry, in the glorifying our dear Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ? Glory, praise, and power, be unto our Covenant God in Christ, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now, and ever. Amen.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. << It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia. >>
Ver. 15. That love us in the faith ] That best ligament of love. The Church is the only daughter of her mother, and is called Ecclesia , of calling all hers together. Religion hath its name of binding, because it binds men all in a bundle, and makes them be of one heart and of one soul, Act 4:32 , to serve the Lord with one shoulder, Zep 3:9 , to glorify God with “one mind and with one mouth,” Rom 15:6 , there being no such oneness in the world as among true believers.
15 .] SALUTATIONS: GREETINGS: APOSTOLIC; BENEDICTIONS. All that are with me salute thee. Salute those that love us in the faith (not ‘ in faith :’ see note, 1Ti 1:2 . This form of salutation, so different from any occurring in St. Paul’s other Epistles, is again [see on ch. Tit 1:1 ] a strong corroboration of genuineness. An apocryphal imitator would not have missed the Apostle’s regular formul of salutation). God’s ( ) grace be with all of you (of the Cretan churches. It does not follow from this that the letter was to be imparted to them: but in the course of things it naturally would be thus imparted by Titus).
On the subscription in the rec., making our Epistle date from Nicopolis, see in Prolegg. ii. 30 ff.
Tit 3:15 . Final Salutation.
: The preposition is different elsewhere in Paul: , Gal 1:2 ; , Phi 4:21 . is a constant phrase in the Synoptists. There is a similar use of in Act 20:34 (a speech of St. Paul’s), and in 2Ti 4:11 .
; The faith (see note on 1Ti 1:2 ) is that which binds Christians together more or less closely. Timothy and Titus were St. Paul’s ; others were more distantly related to him, though of the same family, “the household of faith”.
Dean Armitage Robinson ( Ephesians , p. 281) gives several examples from papyri of similar formulas of closing, especially two, which read, (or ) . This suggests the rendering here, those who love us truly .
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Tit 3:15 a
15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Tit 3:15 “all who are with me greet you” Paul usually, but not always (cf. 1 Timothy), concludes his letters with greetings (1) from the mission team accompanying him and (2) to the believers in the church or locality he is writing.
“in the faith” The term for faith can be used of doctrine as in Act 6:7; Act 13:8; Act 14:22; Gal 1:23; Gal 3:23; Php 1:27; Jud 1:3; Jud 1:20 or as a way of expressing one’s personal relationship to God through Christ (cf. Joh 1:12; Joh 3:16). It can also be used in the OT sense of faithfulness or trustworthiness. See SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT () , Believe, and Trust at 1Ti 1:16. This phrase refers to the fact that the false teachers on Crete had rejected Paul’s apostolic authority and teachings.
with. App-104.
salute, Greet. Greek. aspazomai.
love. App-135.
the. Omit.
faith. App-150.
Grace = The grace. Greek. charis. App-184.
Amen. Omit.
15.] SALUTATIONS: GREETINGS: APOSTOLIC; BENEDICTIONS. All that are with me salute thee. Salute those that love us in the faith (not in faith: see note, 1Ti 1:2. This form of salutation, so different from any occurring in St. Pauls other Epistles, is again [see on ch. Tit 1:1] a strong corroboration of genuineness. An apocryphal imitator would not have missed the Apostles regular formul of salutation). Gods () grace be with all of you (of the Cretan churches. It does not follow from this that the letter was to be imparted to them: but in the course of things it naturally would be thus imparted by Titus).
On the subscription in the rec., making our Epistle date from Nicopolis, see in Prolegg. ii. 30 ff.
Tit 3:15
All that are with me salute thee.-All the brethren where Paul was sent salutations to Titus. They are not named because the individuals composing the company of Paul were most likely known to Titus.
Salute them that love us in faith.-An inclusive greeting, embracing each member of the church in Crete, whose love to Paul was based upon the common faith in the Lord Jesus.
Grace be with you all.-He prays that Gods favors and power might rest upon all of them.
with me: Rom 16:21-24
Greet: Rom 16:1-20
love: Gal 5:6, Eph 6:23, 1Ti 1:5, Phm 1:5, 2Jo 1:1, 2Jo 1:2, 3Jo 1:1
Grace: 1Co 16:23, Eph 6:24, 2Ti 4:22, Heb 13:25
Reciprocal: Act 15:40 – being 1Ti 6:21 – Grace
Tit 3:15. Paul usually had brethren and friends with him who were interested in the work he was doing, and who also were kindly disposed towards the disciples to whom he wrote his epistles. When the apostle wrote them, it was common for them to join in sending salutations to the brethren thus separated from them. Such expressions indicated the love and in terest they had for their fellow disciples. In turn, Paul asked for like greetings for those who were his friends in the island. Grace or favor was wished by the apostle for all the saints in the island. Amen means emphasis on the things that have been written.
Tit 3:15. Them that love, etc., i.e. Cretan Christians who had come to know Paul during his stay in the island.
All that are with me salute thee.–By these words St. Paul gives Titus to understand, that all the Christians that were then with him did embrace him with an endearing and loving affection, and would have their mindfulness of him witnessed by a kind and familiar salutation. These salutations had more in them than humanity, civility, and common courtesy; they were attestations of a truly Christian love and brotherly affection of one member of Christ towards another, for grace’s sake.
Greet them that love us in the faith–That is, as Christians, as brethern, and fellow-members in Christ, Verus Amicus qui vere & in Deo diligit. Grace binds man to man in the strongest and most indissoluble bonds and ties.
Grace be with you all. Amen.–This is the salutation of St. Paul, always written with his own hand, in all his epistles, although the epistles themselves were writ by others; he did it to prevent counterfeits, that no spurious writings might be obtruded upon the church: and whereas he says, Grace be with you all, it plainly intimates, that although this epistle be written by name to Titus, that yet it was intended for the benefit and advantage of the whole church.
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace [be] with you all. Amen.
“All” would indicate a real union of character, of thought, of purpose. The type of thing that a local assembly should have.
“Salute thee” pictures it is not wrong to bring attention to the work that individuals are doing. Bringing pride and glory is wrong; however giving attention to the work of another Christian is not wrong. It may even detract from your own work for a time, but it is something that you should do.
I have seen many pastors that are very unwilling to open their pulpit and congregations to missionaries. They feel that the pulpit is THEIR’S to use! Feeble is the flock that does not have diversity of messengers. Christians need to be challenged with the work of the world.
The church is the place that we need to be hearing what is going on around the world, it is a place where we should be finding challenge, and it is a place where we should be trained for the work. One man can do it in the pulpit, but a multitude of men can make for a much better vision for the people.
I once heard a radio program and the preacher was relating that people pay big money to go to football games. He related that they paid that money to see the action, to see the excitement, to see the victory, not to see the huddle.
The huddle is needed, but the huddle is not the spectacle. If you huddle quickly or neatly or circumspectly it is not of interest to the paid viewer. The action is the spectacle!
The preacher then related this to the church. We are huddles all over the world. The huddle of the church where we pump each other up with things we’ve heard many times before – it is not where the action is, the action is during the week. The victory of the church is not in the huddle, but in the world where we fight the opposing team – the forces of the devil.
You could take this analogy further. The huddle is where strategy is planned, where action is planned, and planned well. What strategy or planning do we have in the churches today? What planning do we have to get the players out on the field Monday morning?
Most pastors are more interested in feeding the flock, fleecing the flock, and funing the flock. WE ARE TO BE PLANNING THE ATTACK ON THE DEVIL’S FORCES IN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT ENTERTAINING THE TROOPS – IF GOD WANTED BOB HOPE BRINGING A TROUPE TO ENCOURAGE THE TROOPS, HE WOULD HAVE COMMANDED IT!
The final words of the letter are indication of the general recipients of the churches at Crete, not to just Titus alone. “Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace [be] with you all.”
We do not know who was with Paul when he wrote this epistle or where he was when he wrote it, but obviously he was in the company of other Christians. Paul sent greetings to the faithful in Crete and closed with a benediction for them. The second "you" is plural in the Greek text.
"As in 1Ti 6:21 and 2Ti 4:22, the plural betrays that the letter was expected to be read out publicly." [Note: Kelly, p. 259.]
Paul opened and closed this epistle with references to faith and grace (Tit 1:4). "Grace" appears in the first and last chapters of every inspired letter from Paul plus 1 and 2 Peter and Revelation.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
[1.] The consideration of their former sinful state: and the more deeply we are sensible of our own vileness, the more we shall feel ourselves obliged to bear with others. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, as our opposers now are, ignorant of divine truth, and under the darkness of our fallen minds; disobedient in spirit and practice, refusing to hear and obey the dictates of God’s word; deceived, and wandering out of the way, under the influence of a corrupted heart, and the wiles of Satan; serving divers lusts and pleasures: perfect slaves to our sensual appetites, the basest of all servitude; living in malice and envy; possessed and governed by these diabolical passions; regarding others, who were most prosperous in the world, with a malignant eye; and pleased with any miseries which befel them; hateful to God because of these abominations; and hating one another, with implacable resentment. What a fearful description! yet in this glass may every enlightened sinner discover his own features by nature, and own the humbling resemblance; for as face answereth face, so does the heart of one natural man to another.
1. Inculcates the doctrine which Titus must preach. This is a faithful saying, all that I have above declared of the duties incumbent on believers, the misery from which they have been redeemed, and the amazing grace of which they have been made partakers, is to be steadfastly believed and embraced: and these things I will that thou affirm constantly; often insisting upon them in the course of thy ministry, to the end, that they which have believed in God, to the present salvation of their souls, might be careful to maintain good works; to excel and lead the way to others ( ), with all diligence and zeal improving every opportunity which offers to be useful. These things are good and profitable unto men; the doctrines here enforced, have the most immediate tendency to advance the benefit of mankind, and promote their present and eternal good. Note; The doctrine of justification by grace through faith, is so far from destroying the obligation of good works, that it is the only real and effectual principle which can make us careful to maintain them.
1. Some particular directions given to Titus.
2. We have a sacred command. And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful, but adorn the profession which they make, diligent in their several employments, and liberal according to their ability, in the maintenance of their ministers, or in assisting any of their brethren who may need their support.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)