Fathers

Titus 2

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But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

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What the Fathers say

Titus 2:14

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Ver. 14. "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people." "Peculiar": that is, selected from the rest, and having nothing in common with them. "Zealous of good works." Dost thou see that our part is necessary, not merely works, but "zealous"; we should with all alacrity, with a becoming earnestness, go forward in virtue. For when we were weighed down with evils, and incurably diseased, it was of His lovingkindness that we were delivered. …

Homily on Titus 5 ↗

Athanasius of Alexandria

How could he have given himself if he had not worn flesh? He offered his flesh and gave himself for us, in order that undergoing death in it, "He might bring to nothing the one who held the power of death, that is, the devil." For this reason we continually give thanks in the name of Jesus Christ. We do not bring to nothing the grace which came to us through him. For the coming of the Savior in the flesh has been the ransom and salvation of all creation.

Letter To Adelphus 60.6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

And this is a sign of His power, that He gave Himself—and not so as to deliver from one iniquity but not from another, but "from all iniquity." Let us then honor our redemption. To cleanse by the font of divine baptism and by the fulfillment of His divine and purifying commandments. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

For the same Church of holy and good believers is both small if compared with the number of the wicked, which is greater, and large if considered by itself; "for the desolate hath more sons than she which hath an husband," and "many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God." God, moreover, presents unto Himself a "numerous people, zealous of good works." And in the Apocalypse, many thousands "which no man can number," from every tribe and tongue, are seen …

Letters 93.9.30 ↗

Jerome

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse for Himself a people pleasing (for so it is held in Greek), and might make us zealous of good works. Often considering with myself what the word "pleasing" might mean, and asking of the wise of this world if they had perchance read it anywhere, I have never been able to find anyone who could tell me what it signified. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, who gave himself, the workings of grace are revealed: first, he shows the benefits derived from the grace of his passion; second, the fruit of his passion, at that he might redeem us. He says, therefore: I say that he is our Savior. But how? Because he gave himself for us: and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph 5:2). Its fruit is deliverance and sanctification. …

Commentary on Titus ↗