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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Titus 1:12 - 1:12
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Tit 1:12. Εἶπέ τις, one said) Those who are too much devoted to the study of profane writers ought not to applaud themselves because Paul quotes from Menander, Aratus, Epimenides; for he does not even mention their names: Act 17:28; 1Co 15:33.-ἐξ αὐτῶν ἴδιος αὐτῶν, of their own) in origin and condition. That circumstance increases the authority of the witness. Testimonies of the wickedness of the Cilicians were also brought forward, but by others [not by one of themselves, as in the case of the Cretans]; therefore Paul, a Cilician, might quote this without reproach.-προφήτης, a prophet) Epimenides, according to the statement of Diogenes Laertius, uttered many predictions; and he acted in the character of a prophet when he spoke these things which Paul quotes.-ἀεὶ, always) Every natural man is at times guilty of lying, but always is a more heinous matter.-ψεῦσται, liars) unlike God, Tit 1:2; liars also in their doctrine concerning God, since they love fables, Tit 1:14. The Cretans had the sepulchre of Jupiter; therefore they were called liars by the poets.-κακὰ θηρία, evil beasts) Crete was considered a χώρα ἄθηρος, a country without wild beasts; whether that be true or false, Al. Morus considers Epimenides (in this line of his) drew the point of his pleasantry from the fact.-γαστέρες ἀργαὶ) Pasor is of opinion that ἀργὸς is here used by Aphæresis for μάργος, voracious; comp. ch. Tit 2:2-6. But the common idea is satisfactory: bellies are slow which are useful to nobody.