Theodoret of Cyrus

In his own words on Titus

• Titus 1:1

  The opening of every one of his letters is distinguished by the divine apostle with this address. At one time it is "Paul a servant of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle." At another "Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ." At another "Paul a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ." And suiting his benediction to his salutation he deduces it from the same source and links the title of the Son with God the Father, saying "grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

  LETTERS 146

• Titus 1:4

  Natural generation does not operate by the assent of the one who is born, whereas the birth that comes from faith requires such assent. Although the one who preaches may sincerely believe, he who hears, unless he takes to himself what he learns with faith, cannot be called the son of the preacher.

  INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO TITUS

• Titus 1:7

  Here it is clear that he calls presbyters bishops. In the same community it was the custom that there would be more presbyters than bishops.

  INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO TITUS

• Titus 1:12

  The quote is from Callimachus, who is not a Jewish prophet but a pagan poet. He calls the Cretans liars on account of a tomb of Jove. Paul is not here offering fables but insisting on the inconsistency of the Cretans, for it is true that the one they call Jove is in another place dead and they have built him a tomb.

  Interpretation of the Letter to Titus

• Titus 1:14

  Paul uses the term "Jewish fables" not to describe the law but the interpretation of the law put forward by the Jews. The Lord accuses them of this very thing when he says, "Why do you transgress the law for the sake of your own traditions?"

  Interpretation of the Letter to Titus

• Titus 2:13

  Here he says that he who according to the flesh derived his descent from the Jews is eternal God and is praised by the right minded as Lord of all created things. The same teaching is given us in the apostle's words to the excellent Titus: "Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Here he calls the same one both Savior and great God and Jesus Christ.

  LETTERS 146