 |  |
We do well, therefore, to take our words seriously especially of others, lest we
blaspheme both God and man. The O.T. has also something solemn to say about this
(Lev. 19: 16).
Love in action will mould speech as well as deeds and will endeavour to `cover a
multitude of sins' (I Pet. 4: 8). It will always seek to be just and fair and to give credit
where it is due, encouragement and a word in season where it is needed. All this is
wrapped up in the healthy doctrine of Titus 2: 1. We shall need the emptying of self and
Divine strengthening in order that we can not only believe and accept such healthy
teaching but seek to adorn it by a practical response in word and deed. In this way it
will be made beautiful in the eyes of others who are watching our lives and witness
(Titus 2: 10).
No.6.
2: 1 - 13.
pp. 108 - 111
The Apostle has explained the practical implications of healthy (sound) doctrine as it
affects the elder and younger men and women, and also slaves with regard to their
relationship to their masters. All this flows out of verse 11 of chapter 2::
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly in this present world, looking for that blessed Hope and the appearing of the glory
of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
The carrying into effect of Paul's "healthy teaching" is the `adornment' of the
wondrous revelation of God's grace which instructs us so to respond and glorify Him.
The structure of the epistle brings out the two occurrences of epephane, `appeared'.
Chapter 2: 11, the grace of God `appeared', and in 3: 4 the kindness and love toward
man of God our Saviour `appeared', resulting in salvation for all who have responded to
such exceeding grace. This takes us back to His first Coming. But in 2: 13 our minds
are directed to the future Hope and here we have epiphaneia, appearing, which is derived
from epiphanes, a related word. It is also used of the First Coming in II Tim. 1: 10.
So we see that all practical Christian response resolves around the great doctrines
concerning the first appearing of Christ in the flesh and His future appearing in glory.
As the word epiphaneia is so intimately connected with our hope, we must pause to
give careful consideration to its usage and teaching. The verbal form, epiphaino means
`to shine over or upon', `to give light to' (Luke 1: 79) and in the passive, `to appear' or
`be manifested'. In this latter form the verb in Titus occurs in the two contexts we have
mentioned. In classical Greek the word has the force of coming suddenly into view, and