Homilist Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect… In this verse the apostle speaks of himself as — 1. Possessing a character common to the good of all worlds — "Servant of God." All creatures are servants of God — some without their will, some according to their will. Paul served God freely, cordially, devotedly. 2. Sustaining an office peculiar to a few — "Apostle." Peculiar in appointment, number, and authority. 3. Engaged in a work binding on all Christians. To promote "the faith of God's elect" — that is, of His people — and "the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness." I. GODLINESS IS THE GRANDEST END OF BEING. In the Old Testament the good are called "godly" (Psalm 4:3; Psalm 12:1; Psalm 32:6; Malachi 2:15). In the New Testament goodness is called "godliness" (1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Timothy 4:7, 8; 1 Timothy 6:3, 5, 6; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 Peter 1:3, 6, 7; 2 Peter 3:11). Godliness is moral likeness to God. II. TRUTH IS THE GRANDEST MEANS OF BEING. All truth is of God, natural and spiritual. The truth here referred to is the gospel truth — "the truth as it is in Jesus" — which, while it illustrates, vivifies and emphasises all other truth, goes beyond it, opens up new chapters of Divine revelation. It is not only moral truth, but redemptive truth, and redemptive truth not in mere propositions, but in a Divine life. This truth is the power of God unto salvation; it delivers from depravity, prejudice, guilt; it raises to purity, truth, peace. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; |
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