Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin we ought not to contend for either of these expositions, because it will always hold good, that, by the grace of God, we have obtained righteousness through Christ.
Heirs according to the hope of eternal life This clause is added by way of exposition. He had said that we have been saved through the mercy of God. 1166 But our salvation is as yet hidden; and therefore he now says that we are heirs of life, not because we have arrived at the present possession of it, but because hope brings to us full and complete certainly of it. The meaning may be thus summed up. ``Having been dead, we were restored to life through the grace of Christ, when God the: Father bestowed on us his Spirit, by whose power we have been purified. and renewed. Our salvation consists in this; but, because we are still in the world, we do not yet enjoy `eternal life,' but only obtain it by `hoping.' ''
Titus 3:8-9
Titus 3:8-9
8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
8. fidelis sermo est et de his volo to confirmare ut curent bonis operibus praeesse qui credunt Deo haec sunt bona et utilia hominibus
9. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
9. Stultas autem quaestiones et genealogias et contentiones et pugnas legis devita sunt enim inutiles et vanae
8 A faithful saying He employs this mode of expression, when he wishes to make a solemn assertion as we have seen in both of the Epistles to Timothy. (1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 2 Timothy 2:11.) And therefore he immediately adds: ---
I wish thee to affirm these things 1167 {Διαβεβαιοῦσθαι} under a passive termination, has an active signification, and means ``to affirm anything strongly.'' Titus is therefore enjoined to disregard other matters, and to teach those which are certain and undoubted --- to press them on the attention of their hearers --- to dwell upon them --- while others talk idly about things of little importance. Hence also, we conclude that a bishop must not make any assertions at random,
1166"Par la grace et misericorde de Dieu." — "By the grace and mercy of God." 1167"Meaning, 'and I would have you constantly insist on these truths; so that those who have believed in God may maintain good works.' The cause of the obscurity, and consequent diversity of interpretation, arose from the Apostle not having here shewn how it should be, that the doctrine of salvation by grace should produce holiness of life. But he has done it in another kindred passage, namely, Ephesians 2:9,10, where, after having at large treated on the subject of salvation by grace, (as here,) adding that it is not of works, lest any man should boast, he subjoins, {αὐτοῦ} {γάρ} {ἐσμεν}, {κ}.{τ}.{λ}. where the {γὰρ} refers to a clause omitted, q. d. (Yet works must be done,) for, etc. Hence it would seem that {καλῶν} {ἔργων} here must have the same sense as {ἔργοις} {ἀγαθοῖς} there; and consequently it must not be limited, with many eminent commentators, to works of benevolence, still less to the business of our avocation, but be extended to good works of every kind.'' --- Bloomfield.