Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Titus 1:1

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Ver. 1. "Paul, a servant of God, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect." You observe how he uses these expressions indifferently, sometimes calling himself the "servant of God," and sometimes the "servant of Christ," thus making no difference between the Father and the Son. "According to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness. …

Homily on Titus 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He uses these expressions interchangeably, sometimes calling himself a servant of Christ, an apostle of God, and now the reverse. Thus he made no distinction between the Father and the Son. This can be understood in different ways: either that I became an apostle so that the chosen ones would come to believe through me, or that I was chosen as an apostle not for my own merits, but because God was pleased to entrust His chosen ones to me. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Oecumenius

HYPOTHESIS ON THE EPISTLE TO TITUS Paul sends this letter from Nicopolis. For he spent the winter there. The purpose of this letter is this: He left Titus in Crete to appoint clergy in the cities. Since many there were attempting to deceive the people under the pretext of the law, Paul, having learned this, writes. And first, giving thanks to God for His reverence, it signifies that the faith in Christ is not new, but has been prepared and promised by God from eternity. …

Commentary On Titus ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

"Paul the servant of God: an apostle however of Jesus Christ." In the Epistle to the Romans he begins thus: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle," but in this one he calls himself "a servant of God," while he is "an apostle of Jesus Christ." For if the Father and the Son are one, and he who believes in the Son, believes also in the Father, that servitude of the Apostle Paul is to be referred, indiscriminately, either to the Father or to the Son. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Thomas Aquinas

This letter is divided into a greeting and a message, at for this cause I left you in Crete (Titus 1:5). In the greeting, first, the person who sends the greeting is mentioned, and he is identified by certain marks: first, by his name; hence he says, Paul, which signifies humility: I am the least of the apostles (1 Cor 15:9); second, by his state when he says, a servant of God: O Lord, I am your servant (Ps 116:16). But this seems contrary to John: no longer do I call you servants (John 15:15). …

Commentary on Titus ↗