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Selected Verse: Titus 2:12 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Tit 2:12 |
King James |
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is opposed to God (Tit 1:12, Tit 1:16; Co1 1:20; Co1 3:18-19): in the coming world we may gratify every desire without need of self-discipline, because all desires there will be conformable to the will of God.
that--Greek, "in order that"; the end of the "disciplining" is "in order that . . . we may live soberly," &c. This point is lost by the translation, "teaching us."
denying . . . lusts-- (Luk 9:23). The Greek aorist expresses "denying once for all." We deny "worldly lusts" when we withhold our consent from them, when we refuse the delight which they suggest, and the act to which they solicit us, nay, tear them up by the roots out of our soul and mind [ST. BERNARD, Sermon 11].
worldly lusts--The Greek article expresses, "the lusts of the world," "all worldly lusts" [ALFORD], (Gal 5:16; Eph 2:3; Jo1 2:15-17; Jo1 5:19). The world (cosmos) will not come to an end when this present age (aeon) or course of things shall end.
live soberly, righteously, and godly--the positive side of the Christian character; as "denying . . . lusts" was the negative. "Soberly," that is, with self-restraint, in relation to one's self: "righteously" or justly, in relation to our neighbor; "godly" or piously, in relation to God (not merely amiably and justly, but something higher, godly, with love and reverence toward God). These three comprise our "disciplining" in faith and love, from which he passes to hope (Tit 2:13). |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Teaching us - That is, the "grace of God" so teaches us; or that system of religion which is a manifestation of the grace of God, inculcates the great and important duties which Paul proceeds to state.
That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts - "That by denying ourselves of these, or refusing to practice them, we should lead a holy life." The word ungodliness here means all that would be included under the word impiety; that is, all failure in the performance of our proper duties towards God; see the notes at Rom 1:18. The phrase "worldly lusts" refers to all improper desires pertaining to this life - the desire of wealth, pleasure, honor, sensual indulgence. It refers to such passions as the people of this world are prone to, and would include all those things which cannot be indulged in with a proper reference to the world to come. The gross passions would be of course included, and all those more refined pleasures also which constitute the characteristic and special enjoyments of those who do not live unto God.
We should live soberly - See the word "soberly" (σωφρόνως sōphronōs) explained in the notes at Tit 2:2, Tit 2:4. It means that we should exercise a due restraint on our passions and propensities.
Righteously - Justly - δικαίως dikaiōs. This refers to the proper performance of our duties to our fellow-men; and it means that religion teaches us to perform those duties with fidelity, according to all our relations in life; to all our promises and contracts; to our fellow-citizens and neighbors; to the poor, and needy, and ignorant, and oppressed; and to all those who are providentially placed in our way who need our kind offices. Justice to them would lead us to act as we would wish that they would towards us.
And godly - Piously; that is, in the faithful performance of our duties to God. We have here, then, an epitome of all that religion requires:
(1) our duty to ourselves - included in the word "soberly" and requiring a suitable control over our evil propensities and passions;
(2) our duty to our fellow-men in all the relations we sustain in life; and,
(3) our duty to God - evinced in what will be properly regarded as a pious life.
He that does these things, meets all the responsibilites of his condition and relations; and the Christian system, requiring the faithful performance of these duties, shows how admirably it is adapted to man.
In this present world - That is, as long as we shall continue in it. These are the duties which we owe in the present life. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Teaching (παιδεύουσα)
Better, instructing or training. The saving economy of God is educative. Comp. Heb 12:4-11, and see on Ti1 1:20.
Ungodliness (ἀσέβειαν)
In Pastorals only here and Ti2 2:16. The contrary of εὐσέβεια, for which see on Ti1 2:2.
Worldly lusts (κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας)
The phrase N.T.o. Κοσμικὸς worldly, only here and Heb 9:1. On the ethical sense in κόσμος the world, see on Act 17:24, and see on Joh 1:9. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Instructing us - All who do not reject it. That, having renounced ungodliness - Whatever is contrary to the fear and love of God. And worldly desires - Which are opposite to sobriety and righteousness. We should live soberly - In all purity and holiness. Sobriety, in the scripture sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections. And righteously - Doing to all as we would they should do to us. And godly - As those who are consecrated to God both in heart and life. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Teaching us, that, denying, etc. - Παιδευουσα· Instructing us as children are instructed. Christ is the great teacher; and men, in order to learn, must become his disciples - must put themselves under his tuition, and learn of him.
Denying ungodliness - Ασεβειαν· All things contrary to God; whatever would lead us to doubt his being, deny any of his essential attributes; his providence or government of the world, and his influence on the souls of men. Every thing, also, which is opposed to his true worship; theoretical and practical atheism, deism, and irreligion in general.
Worldly lusts - Such desires, affections, and appetites, as men are governed by who have their portion in this life, and live without God in the world. Gluttony, drunkenness, lasciviousness, anger, malice, and revenge; together with the immoderate love of riches, power, and fame.
We should live soberly - Having every temper, appetite, and desire, under the government of reason, and reason itself under the government of the Spirit of God.
Righteously - Rendering to every man his due, injuring no person in his body, mind, reputation, or property; doing unto all as we would they should do to us; and filling up the duties of the particular stations in which it has pleased God to fix us, committing no sin, omitting no duty.
And godly - Ευσεβως. Just the reverse of what is implied in ungodliness. See above.
In this present world - Not supposing that any thing will be purified in the world to come that is not cleansed in this. The three words above evidently include our duty to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves.
1. We are to live soberly in respect to ourselves.
2. Righteously in respect to our neighbor. And
3. Godly, or piously, in respect to our Maker. |
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.