For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. 15 Say these things. Exhort and correct with all authority. Let no one look down on you.
In the preceding verses (Titus 2:1-10), Paul instructs Titus on how to teach various groups within the Christian community about proper conduct. He provides specific guidance on how older men, older women, young men, young women, and slaves should behave, emphasizing the importance of living in a manner that reflects sound doctrine.
In this passage, Paul highlights the universal scope of God’s grace. The phrase "the grace of God has appeared" refers to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, which is the historical manifestation of God’s grace for the salvation of all mankind (1 Tim. 2:4). This grace initiates a believer’s relationship with God through Justification and continues to sustain that relationship throughout the Christian life through Sanctification. God’s grace not only saves but also trains believers to renunciate behaviors and attitudes contrary to the Gospel (Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 3:5-10). Grace calls Christians to live "temperately, justly, and devoutly," which encompasses the entirety of the Christian life in the present world.
The ”blessed hope” refers to believers' confident expectation of Christ's second coming when the Glory of God and the divine majesty of Christ will be fully revealed. The purpose of Christ’s voluntary and sacrificial death was to redeem believers from sin and its consequences (Gal. 1:4; Rom. 6:18). Christ willingly underwent suffering and death for the sake of humanity and his self-sacrifice is understood as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Through Christ, the Church becomes the new people of God, consecrated and set apart for His purposes just as in the Old Testament God chose Israel as His people, setting them apart to be holy. Those who have been redeemed and purified by Christ are now expected to be "eager to do what is good."
Paul instructs Titus that adhering to doctrinal teaching is crucial, and he must guide the community with confidence and clarity. He is also encouraged to maintain his dignity and authority in his pastoral duties.
Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the grace You bestowed on us through Jesus Christ which brought salvation to all. Help us to live each day in the light of Your grace, renouncing all that is contrary to Your will. Strengthen us to live temperately, justly, and devoutly, as we await the blessed hope of Christ’s glorious return. This we pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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