Bible Commentaries

To be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient (αρχαις εχουσιαις υποτασσεσται πειταρχειν — archais exousiais hupotassesthai peitharchein). Remarkable double asyndeton, no και — kai (and) between the two substantives or the two verbs. Πειταρχειν — Peitharchein (to obey), old verb (from πειτομαι αρχη — peithomaiπρος παν εργον αγατον ετοιμους ειναι — archē), in N.T. only here and Acts 27:21.

To be ready unto every good work (ετοιμος — pros pan ergon agathon hetoimous einai). Pauline phrase (2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:17), here adjective hetoimos (2 Corinthians 9:5), there verb.

To speak evil (βλασπημειν — blasphēmein). See note on Colossians 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:4.

Not to be contentious (αμαχους ειναι — amachous einai). “To be non-fighters” (1 Timothy 3:3), originally “invincible.”

Gentle (επιεικεις — epieikeis). See note on 1 Timothy 3:3.

Meekness (πραυτητα — prautēta). Πραοτητα — Praotēta See note on Colossians 3:12.

Aforetime (ποτε — pote). “Once” in our unconverted state as in Ephesians 2:3.

Foolish (ανοητοι — anoētoi). See Romans 1:14, Romans 1:21.

Disobedient (απειτεις — apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30.

Deceived (πλανωμενοι — planōmenoi). Present passive participle of πλαναω — planaō though the middle is possible.

Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις — hēdonais poikilais). “Pleasures” (ηδοναις — hēdonais from ηδομαι — hēdomai old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1, James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc.

Living (διαγοντες — diagontes). See note on 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον — bion).

In malice (εν κακιαι — en kakiāi). See note on Romans 1:29.

Envy (πτονωι — phthonōi). See note on Romans 1:29.

Hateful (στυγητοι — stugētoi). Late passive verbal from στυγεω — stugeō to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T.

Hating one another (μισουντες αλληλους — misountes allēlous). Active sense and natural result of being “hateful.”

The kindness (η χρηστοτης — hē chrēstotēs). See note on Romans 2:4 for this very word used of God as here.

His love toward man (η πιλαντρωπια — hē philanthrōpia). “The philanthrophy of God our Saviour.” Old word from πιλαντρωπος — philanthrōpos for love of mankind, in N.T. only here and Acts 28:2.

Appeared (επεπανη — epephanē). See note on Acts 2:11 and here as there the Incarnation of Christ. See note on 1 Timothy 1:1 for σωτηρ — sōtēr with τεος — theos (God).

Done (not in the Greek, only the article των — tōn), “not as a result of works those in righteousness which we did.” Same idea as in Romans 3:20.

According to his mercy he saved us (κατα το αυτου ελεος εσωσεν — kata to autou eleos esōsen). See Psalm 109:26; 1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:4. Effective aorist active indicative of σωζω — sōzō

Through the washing of regeneration (δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας — dia loutrou palingenesias). Late and common word with the Stoics (Dibelius) and in the Mystery-religions (Angus), also in the papyri and Philo. Only twice in the N.T. (Matthew 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια — apokatastasia in Acts 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον — loutron see note on Ephesians 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it.

And renewing of the Holy Spirit (και ανακαινωσεως πνευματος αγιου — kai anakainōseōs pneumatos hagiou). “And renewal by the Holy Spirit” (subjective genitive). For the late word ανακαινωσις — anakainōsis see note on Romans 12:2. Here, as often, Paul has put the objective symbol before the reality. The Holy Spirit does the renewing, man submits to the baptism after the new birth to picture it forth to men.

Which (ου — hou). Genitive case by attraction from ο — ho (grammatical gender) to the case of πνευματος αγιου — pneumatos hagiou We do not have grammatical gender (only natural) in English. Hence here we should say “whom,” even if it does not go smoothly with εχεχεεν — execheen (he poured out, second aorist active indicative of εκχεω — ekcheō). The reference is to the great Pentecost (Acts 2:33) as foretold by Joel (Joel 2:28).

Richly (πλουσιως — plousiōs). Then and to each one in his own experience. See note on Romans 10:12; 1 Timothy 6:17.

Being justified by his grace (δικαιωτεντες τηι εκεινου χαριτι — dikaiōthentes tēi ekeinou chariti). First aorist passive participle of δικαιοω — dikaioō and instrumental case of χαρις — charis as in Romans 3:24; Romans 5:1.

That we might be made heirs (ινα κληρονομοι γενητωμεν — hina klēronomoi genēthōmen). Purpose with ινα — hina and first aorist passive of γινομαι — ginomai See note on Romans 4:13; Romans 8:17.

The saying (ο λογος — ho logos). In Titus 3:4-7.

I will (βουλομαι — boulomai). See note on 1 Timothy 2:8.

That thou affirm confidently (σε διαβεβαιουσται — se diabebaiousthai). Indirect command. For the verb see note on 1 Timothy 1:7.

That they may be careful (ινα προντιζωσιν — hina phrontizōsin). Sub-final use of ινα — hina with present active subjunctive of προντιζω — phrontizō old verb, only here in N.T.

To maintain good works (καλων εργων προστασται — kalōn ergōn pro). Present middle infinitive of προιστημι — proistēmi intransitive use, to stand before, to take the lead in, to care for. Paul is anxious that “believers” may take the lead in good works.