Verse 14
Christ’s intent in providing salvation for us was to buy our freedom from slavery to sin and wickedness.
"First, the verb gave (and indeed the entire saying-who gave himself for us) portrays Christ’s death as a ritual offering made specifically to atone for sins (Romans 4:25; Romans 8:32; compare Galatians 1:4). . . .
"Second, the note of willingness is emphasized, for it is said that he gave himself. . . .
"Third, the phrase for us reveals that this offering was both representative and substitutionary." [Note: Towner, 1-2 Timothy . . ., p. 248.]
Christ’s purpose was also to purify a people for Himself who are eager to do what is right and good.
"When a royal visit is expected, everything is cleansed and decorated, and made fit for the royal eye to see." [Note: Barclay, p. 294.]
"The highest and purest motivation for Christian behavior is not based on what we can do for God but rather upon what God has done for us and yet will do." [Note: Griffin, p. 316.]
To summarize this section (Titus 2:11-14), the grace of God should result in the Christian’s present commitment to deny what He detests and to pursue what He values. We see God’s grace in His past provision of salvation in Christ and the prospect of Christ’s future return to take us to be with Himself forever. The fact that so few Christians make this commitment is disappointing, but it is true to life, and Jesus Christ anticipated it (Luke 17:11-19).
"Verses 11-14 are notable for their perfect balance of doctrine with living. Beginning with the incarnation (’the grace of God hath appeared,’ Titus 2:11), they relate this doctrine to a life that denies evil and practices good here and now (Titus 2:12); that sees in the return of Christ the incentive for godly conduct (’looking for that blessed hope . . .’ Titus 2:13); and that realizes, in personal holiness and good works, the purpose of the atonement (Titus 2:14). The passage is one of the most concise summations in the entire N.T. of the relation of Gospel truth to life." [Note: The New Scofield Reference Bible, p. 1307.]
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