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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Tit_2:11-14
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Tit_2:11 "For" Tit_2:11-14 are linked to 1-10, and give the theological basis for godly living.
▣ "the grace of God has appeared" This refers to the incarnation of Jesus (cf. 2Ti_1:10; Tit_3:4-7). The life, teaching, and death of Jesus fully revealed the Father's love, mercy and grace. When we see Jesus, we see God (cf. Joh_1:1-14; Joh_14:8-11; Col_1:15-19; Heb_1:1-3).
The term epiphany (appearing) is used in Tit_2:13 for Christ's Second Coming (cf. Tit_2:11; Tit_2:13; Tit_3:4; 2Th_2:8; 1Ti_6:14; 2Ti_1:10; 2Ti_4:1; 2Ti_4:8). See Special Topic: NT Terms for Christ's Return at Tit_2:13.
▣ "bringing salvation to all men" God sent Christ to die for the sin of all humans (see Special Topic at 1Ti_4:10), but they must personally respond by repentance, faith, obedience, and perseverance. The following passages reflect the universal scope of Christ's work.
1. "for the world" (Joh_1:29; Joh_3:16; Joh_6:33; Joh_6:51; 2Co_5:19; 1Jn_2:2; 1Jn_4:14)
2. "all men" (Rom_5:18; 1Co_15:22; 1Ti_2:4-6; Heb_2:9; 2Pe_3:9)
See fuller note at 1Ti_2:4 and the Special Topic at 1Ti_4:10.
God made humans in His image (cf. Gen_1:26-27). In Gen_3:15 He promised to redeem all humans. He specifically mentions His worldwide agenda even in His call of Abraham (cf. Gen_12:3) and of Israel (cf. Exo_19:5). The OT promises to Israel (Jew vs. Gentile) have now been universalized to believer and unbeliever (cf. Eph_2:11 to Eph_3:13). God's invitation to salvation is worldwide, individually focused, and Spirit- energized.
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Tit_2:12 "instructing us" This literally meant child discipline or training (cf. 1Ti_1:20; 2Ti_2:25; 2Ti_3:16). Grace is personified as a loving parent (cf. Heb_12:5 ff).
▣ "ungodliness" This is a word play between asebeia (ungodliness, alpha privative) and eusebia (godliness, see Special Topic at 1Ti_4:7). They may reflect the "two ways" of the OT Wisdom Literature (cf. Jos_24:14-15; Psalms 1; Pro_4:10-19; Mat_7:13-14). We are to turn from evil because Christ gave Himself to deliver us from evil; we are to turn to good because Christ set the example. Grace teaches us both a positive and negative lesson!
▣ "worldly desires" (cf. Tit_3:3; 1Ti_6:9; 2Ti_2:22; 2Ti_3:6; 2Ti_4:3)
▣ "sensibly" See full note at 1Ti_3:2.
▣ "righteously" See Tit_2:2; Tit_2:4-6 and the Special Topic following.
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▣ "in the present age" See Special Topic at 1Ti_6:17.
Tit_2:13 "looking for" This is a present middle which refers to a continual personal expectation of Christ's return.
▣ "the blessed hope" This is another reference to the Second Coming.
▣ "the appearing" See Special Topic below.
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▣ "of the glory" The phrase "of the glory" can be understood in two ways: (1) the "glorious appearing" (cf. NKJV) or (2) "the appearing of the glory" (cf. NASB, NRSV, TEV and NJB). Glory is often associated with God's presence in the OT (especially the Shekinah cloud of glory during the wilderness wandering period). Glory is from the Hebrew term kabod which refers to a radiant splendor. Two of the Greek terms associated with the Second Coming also refer to a brightness or radiance: epiphaneia, (cf. Mat_25:31) and phanerôô (cf. Mat_24:30). Jesus spoke of His and His Father's glory in Joh_17:1-5; Joh_17:22; Joh_17:24.
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▣ "our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" Jesus is here unambiguously given the title of God! The Caesars claimed similar titles (i.e., Ptolemy I). The terms "appearing" (which contextually relates to Christ's Second Coming) and "great" are never used of YHWH. Also, there is no article with "savior." The syntax of Koine Greek supports this as a title for Jesus because there is only one article with both nouns, thus linking them together (see NET Bible). Jesus is divine (cf. Joh_1:1; Joh_8:57-58; Joh_20:28; Rom_9:5; Php_2:6; 2Th_1:12; Heb_1:8; 2Pe_1:1; 2Pe_1:11; 1Jn_5:20). In the OT the Messiah (see Special Topic at 1Ti_1:1) was expected to be a divinely empowered person like the Judges. His deity surprised everyone (see hyperlink at 1Ti_2:5)!
Tit_2:14 "who gave Himself for us" This follows the theology of Mar_10:45; 2Co_5:21; and Heb_9:14. It refers to the vicarious, substitutionary atonement (cf. Isaiah 53; Gal_1:4; 1Ti_2:5-6; Heb_9:12-15; 1Pe_1:18-19). God the Father "sent" but the Son "gave Himself"!
▣ "to redeem us" The terms "ransom" and "redeem" have OT roots (the NASB prints Tit_2:14 as an OT quote). Both words refer to someone being bought back from slavery as Israel was redeemed from Egypt. This also implies that believers are free from the power of sin through Christ (cf. Romans 6). See hyperlink at 1Ti_2:6.
▣ "to purify" Refer to the Special Topic on "Righteousness" at Tit_2:13. The theological question is how does He purify people? Is it a free gift through Christ, given by divine decree or is it a mandated, repentant, obedient, persevering faith? Is it all of God or is a human response mandated?
For me, since I view the Bible as presenting truth in paradoxical pairs, it is both a free act of the holy God and a required initial act and a continuing act of a fallen individual (see Special Topic at Tit_2:11)! These are unified in the concept of "covenant" (see Special Topic at 2Ti_2:1).
▣ "a people for His own possession" This is OT covenant terminology (cf. Exo_19:5; Deu_14:2; 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9-10; Rev_1:6). The church is spiritual Israel (cf. Gal_6:16; Rom_2:29). The church has the mandate to evangelize all humans (cf. Mat_28:19-20; Luk_24:47; Act_1:8) by sharing the gospel and living the gospel!
▣ "zealous of good deeds" The goal of Christianity is not only heaven when believers die but Christlikeness now (cf. Gal_4:19; Eph_1:4; Eph_2:10). God's people are characterized by an eager desire for good works (cf. James and 1 John).