Titus 3:3

Paul, the apostle from Israel, came to us as one "blameless according to the justice in the law." Yet he says "we ourselves," those from Israel, "were then deceitful, foolish." So not only those from the pagan nations were "deceitful," nor only sinners, but we "also," who have been taught by the law, were such before the coming of Christ.

Then when he says, for we ourselves also were sometimes unwise, he gives the reason behind this advice, and especially the last, namely, that he be meek. For someone could say: how are we to be meek to unbelievers and to the wicked? For we …

In the Epistle to the Corinthians he frightens with the future, so that they would not condemn, saying: "let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). But here he admonishes with the past, saying: let us not reproach others, …

For we - And as God hath dealt with us, so ought we to deal with our neighbour. Were without understanding - Wholly ignorant of God. And disobedient - When he was declared to us.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,....

The exact picture of human life without grace. Grace is the sole remedy for foolishness. disobedient--to God. deceived--led astray. The same Greek, "out of the way" (Heb 5:2). serving--Greek, "in bondage to," serving as slaves." divers--The cloyed appetite craves constant variety. pleasures--of the flesh. malice--malignity. hateful . . . hating--correlatives.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes

LAST Thursday evening my sermon was based upon the contrast in the second chapter of Ephesians, between the expressions "not of works" and "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." I tried to show the true place of good works in connection with salvation. Many of you were not present then and I felt that the subject was of such extreme importance that I must return to the same line of thought in this greater congregation.

LAST Thursday evening my sermon was based upon the contrast in the second chapter of Ephesians, between the expressions "not of works" and "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." I tried to show the true place of good works in connection with salvation. Many of you were not present then and I felt that the subject was of such extreme importance that I must return to the same line of thought in this greater congregation. I shall endeavor by another text which contains the same contrast, to set before you the usefulness, the benefit, yes, and the absolute necessity for our abounding in good works if indeed we are saved by faith in Christ Jesus. Let us come at once to our text. Our Apostle tells us that we are to speak evil of no man but to show meekness unto all men. And he adds this as an all-sufficient reason—we ourselves also were sometimes like the very worst of them. When we look upon the world today, it pains us by its folly, disobedience and delusion. He that knows most of this modern Babylon, whether he observes the richer or the poorer classes of society, will find the deepest cause for grief. But we cannot condemn with bitterness—for such were some of us. Not only can we not condemn with bitterness but we must look upon our sinful fellow creatures with great compassion—for such were some of us. Yes more—we feel encouraged to hope for ungodly men, even for the foolish and disobedient—for we ourselves also were, not long ago, like they. We feel that we must give the thought of our heart and the energy of our lives to the great work of saving men out of gratitude to the Lord our God, who, in His kindness and love, has saved us. "I am a man," said one, "and everything that has to do with men concerns me"—but the child of God adds to this, "I am also a sinful man and owe my cleansing to the loving favor of the Lord.

For we ourselves - All of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, were, before our conversion to Christ, foolish, disobedient, and deceived. There is no doubt that the apostle felt he could include himself in the above list, previously to his conversion. The manner in which he persecuted the Christians, to whose charge he could not lay one moral evil, is a sufficient proof that, though he walked according to the letter of the law, as to its ordinances and ceremonies, blameless, yet his heart was in a state of great estrangement from God, from justice, holiness, mercy, and compassion. Foolish - Ανοητοι· Without understanding - ignorant of God, his nature, his providence, and his grace. Disobedient - Απειθεις· Unpersuaded, unbelieving, obstinate, and disobedient. Deceived - Πλανωμενοι· Erring - wandering from the right way in consequence of our ignorance, not knowing the right way; and, in consequence of our unbelief and obstinacy, not choosing to know it. It is a true saying, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” Such persons are proof against conviction, they will not be convinced either by God or man. Serving divers lusts and pleasures - Δουλευοντες· Being in a state of continual thraldom; not served or gratified by our lusts and pleasures, but living, as their slaves, a life of misery and wretchedness. Divers lusts - Επιθυμιαις· Strong and irregular appetites of every kind. Pleasures - Ἡδοναις· Sensual pleasures. Persons intent only on the gratification of sense, living like the brutes, having no rational or spiritual object worthy the pursuit of an immortal being. Living in malice and envy - Εν κακιᾳ και φθονῳ διαγοντες· Spending our life in wickedness and envy - not bearing to see the prosperity of others, because we feel ourselves continually wretched. Hateful - Στυγητοι· Abominable; hateful as hell. […]