Albert Barnes

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ - See notes at Rom 1:1; compare the notes at 1Co 9:1-5. According to the faith of God’s elect - Compare the Rom 8:33 note; Eph 1:4 note; 2Ti 2:10 note.”

In His own time He has made His word evident in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.

“But hath in due times - At the proper time; the time which he had intended; the best time: see the notes at 1Ti 2:6; compare the notes at Mat 2:2. Manifested his word through preaching - See the notes at 2Ti 2:10.”

The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

“For this cause left I thee in Crete - Compare the notes, 1Ti 1:3. On the situation of Crete, see the Introduction, Section 2. That thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting - Margin, “left undone.””

As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

“For a bishop must be blameless - 1Ti 3:2. As the steward of God - See notes, 1Co 4:1-2. A man, in order to perform the duties of such an office, should be one against whom no accusation could lie.”

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

“Holding fast the faithful word - That is, the true doctrines of the gospel. This means that he is to hold this fast, in opposition to one who would wrest it away, and in opposition to all false teachers, and to all systems of false…”

who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

“Whose mouths must be stopped - The word here rendered stopped - ἐπιστομιζειν epistomizein - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, to check, or curb, as with a bridle; to restrain, or bridle in; and then, to put to silence.”

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith

“This witness is true - That is, this testimony long before borne by one of their own number, was true when the apostle wrote to Titus.”

To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

“Unto the pure all things are pure - See the notes at Rom 14:14, Rom 14:20. There is probably an allusion here to the distinctions made in respect to meats and drinks among the Jews.”

But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.

“But speak thou - In thine own ministry. In the previous chapter he had given him instructions as to the kind of persons who were to be put into the sacred office. Here he gives him special instructions in regard to his own preaching.”

Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.

“The aged women likewise - Not only those who may have the office of deaconesses, but all aged females. That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness - Marg, “holy women.” The Greek word is not found elsewhere in the New Testament.”

to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

“To be discreet - The same word rendered, in Tit 2:2, “temperate,” and explained in Tit 2:4. Chaste - Pure - in heart, and in life. Keepers at home - That is, characteristically attentive to their domestic concerns, or to their duties in their families.”

In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

“In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works - Not merely teaching others, but showing them by example how they ought to live. On the word rendered “pattern” (τύπον tupon, type), see the Heb 9:5 note; 1Co 10:6 note; Php 3:17 note.”

Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

“Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters - See this explained in the notes at Eph 6:5, following, and 1Ti 6:1-4.”

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.

“For the grace of God - The favor of God, shown to the undeserving; see the notes at Rom 1:7. That bringeth salvation - Margin, to all men, hath appeared.”

as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Looking for - Expecting; waiting for. That is, in the faithful performance of our duties to ourselves, to our fellow-creatures, and to God, we are patiently to wait for the coming of our Lord.”

Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

“These things speak and exhort - Notes, 1Ti 6:2. And rebuke with all authority - 1Ti 5:1, note, 20, note; 2Ti 4:2 note. The word “authority” here means command - ἐπιταγὴ epitagē; 1Co 7:6, 1Co 7:25; 2Co 8:8; 1Ti 1:1; Tit 1:3.”

Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,

“Put them in mind to be subject ... - See the duty here enjoined, explained in the notes at Rom 13:1, following. Principalities and powers - See these words explained in the notes at Rom 8:38.”

For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

“For we ourselves - We who are Christians. There is no reason for supposing, as Benson does, that this is to be understood as confined to Paul himself.”

He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done - The plan was not based on our own good works, nor are our own good works now the cause of our salvation.”

so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

“That being justified by his grace - Not by our own works, but by his favor or mercy; see the notes at Rom 3:24. We should be made heirs - See the notes at Rom 8:15, Rom 8:17.”

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

“But avoid foolish questions and genealogies - See the 1Ti 1:4 note; 2Ti 2:16, 2Ti 2:23 notes. And contentions, and strivings about the law - Such as the Jews started about various matters connected with the law - about meats and drinks, etc.; the notes…”

knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.

“Knowing that he that is such is subverted - Literally, “is turned out;” or, “is changed,” i. e., for the worse. He has gone from the right way, and therefore he should be rejected.”

Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.

“Bring Zenas the lawyer - - This person is not elsewhere mentioned in the New Testament, and nothing more is known of him.”

All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.

“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.”