THE EPISTLE TO TITUS.

[Titus, a Gentile, it may be a Cretan, was brought to the faith by St. Paul. He was at Antioch with the Apostle about A.D. 51, where there was a controversy as to whether he should be circumcised. He was probably taken by the Apostle to the Conference at Jerusalem (Acts xv. p. 257) as a representative of the Gentile converts. He may have been with St. Paul during the Second Missionary Journey, going with him to Galatia, where afterwards he was evidently well known. From Ephesus, some years later, he was sent by St. Paul three times to Corinth, during the troubles in that Church, in circumstances which shew that a deep confidence was reposed in him, and with a result which proves his brilliant ability and strength of character. It is not too much to suppose that he was with the Apostle when not on the Apostle's errands; and when, somewhat later than this Epistle, we hear of him as in Dalmatia (II Tim. iv. 10), his previous record entitles him to be thought of as there on a commission which had been given to him by the friend whom he so faithfully served in the Gospel. Shortly before this Epistle was written he had been left in Crete to regulate the affairs of the churches there. Zenas and Apollos were now going that way, and by them the Apostle sends a letter enforcing the charges he had already given with new reasons, and adding further instructions. He speaks of (1) The Organization of the Church on account of the prevailing errors. (2) How Titus is to minister to the different classes in the Church. (3) How the Grace Offered to all ought to Sanctify all. (4) How Titus must conduct himself so as to Commend this Grace to all. (5) Personal explanations and salutations.]

PAUL, a bondservant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the full knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, based on the hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie promised before times eternal, but in His own seasons manifested, His word in the message wherewith I was intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour; to Titus my very own child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.

I. 5

[1] For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of self-abandonment or unruly. For the bishop must be blameless as God's steward, not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, not ready with a blow, not greedy of filthy lucre, but given to hospitality, a lover of good, soberminded, just, holy, temperate, holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine and to confute the gainsayers. For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially the converts from Judaism, whose mouths must be stopped, men who overthrow whole families by teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said,

Cretans are alway liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons.

This testimony is true. For which cause confute them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure all things are pure but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate.

[2.] But speak thou the things which befit the sound. doctrine that aged men be temperate, nobly serious, soberminded, sound in faith, in love, in stedfastness: that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that

2.4

which is good, that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be soberminded, chaste, workers at home, kind, submitting themselves to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed: the younger men likewise exhort to be soberminded in all things shewing thyself an ensample of good works, in thy doctrine shewing uncorruptness, noble seriousness, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us. Exhort slaves to submit themselves to their own masters in all things, to be well-pleasing, not contradicting, not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

[3] For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world, looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works.

[4] These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority: let no man despise thee. Put them in mind to submit themselves to be obedient to rulers, to authorities, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, shewing all meekness toward all men. For we also were aforetime foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Saviour and His love toward man appeared, not as the result of works which we ourselves had done in our own

3.5

righteousness, but according to His mercy He saved us through the laver of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to hope of eternal life. Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I will that thou affirm confidently, in order that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men: but shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strifes and fightings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain. A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse, knowing that such a one is perverted and sinneth, being self-condemned.

[5.] When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, make haste to come unto me to Nicopolis, for there I have determined to winter. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary wants, that they be not unfruitful.

All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith.

Grace be with you all.

THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.

[The last Epistle of St. Paul that has come down to us, written under the shadow of approaching death, yet radiant with immortal hope. Timothy is in deep despondency at Ephesus. The Apostle writes to him of (1) Timothy's duty under trial. He must not allow his gift to lie idle any longer nor be daunted by the sufferings which the service of Christ may bring on him. (2) He must remember that while the service of Christ is not free from suffering it is the service of One who is faithful and strong to save. He must contend for the faith firmly and stedfastly, and must place faithful teachers at his side. (3) Moral corruption may invade the Church. Timothy must remember his friend's constancy under suffering, and hold fast to the course he had taken at his conversion; must faithfully carry his ministry through to the end. (4) The Apostle's joy as his own ministry draws towards its close in martyrdom. His desire to see Timothy before the end. The situation at Rome. Salutations.]

PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

[.] I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, as my remembrance of thee in my supplications is unceasing, night and day longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy, I thank God since I have been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in thee also. For the which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir into flame again the gift of God which is in thee through the laying on of my hands: for God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but of power