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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Titus 1:7 - 1:7
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Tit 1:7. Ὡς Θεοῦ οἰκονόμον, as the steward of God) The greater that the Master is, the greater virtues should be in His servant. Paul calls the ministers of the Gospel the stewards of God, 1Co 4:1, note. The power, therefore, of a bishop is indeed circumscribed, but he has still some authority. He is a steward, and the steward of God; but a steward has at least some authority and power, something is entrusted to his fidelity and skill; he does not merely use the power of locomotion, he is not an instrument or a machine: the steward of God is not the slave of men, not a drudge or a sutler; only let him be a true steward. This remark needs to be made in opposition to the false politicians, who desire that the ministers of Christ, and the princes, whose name they abuse, and believers and all things, should belong, not to God, not to believers, but to themselves.-μὴ αὐθάδη, not harsh or self-willed) The antithesis is in Tit 1:8, a lover of hospitality; for αὐθάδης, a man harsh, inflexible, neglects humble guests, as Nabal did, 1 Samuel 25; he cares for himself alone, and whatever is connected with himself: others also he bids to keep their own affairs and anxieties to themselves.-μὴ ὀργίλον, not soon angry) The antithesis is a lover of good.-μὴ πάροινον, not given to wine) The antithesis is sober.-μὴ πλήκτην, no striker) The antithesis is just, who decides by reason and equity, not by violence.-μὴ αἰσχροκερδῆ, not covetous of filthy lucre) Base gain (filthy lucre) might be acquired in a matter honourable in itself, as in the work-shop, in bargains and merchandise, in the office of a bishop; Tit 1:11; 1Ti 6:5; 2Co 11:12; 2Co 11:20; Php 3:19; 1Pe 5:2; 2Pe 2:3. The antithesis is ὅσιον, holy.