Titus 2:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After commanding slaves to have great virtue, for it is truly a great virtue to adorn in all things the doctrine of our God and Savior and give masters no occasion for displeasure, even in small things, the Apostle gives the just reason why slaves should be such. What is it? "For the grace of God," he says, "has appeared, bringing salvation." How can those who have God as their teacher and have received forgiveness of countless sins fail to be what I have just described? You know that, among other things, this greatly shames and instructs the soul. Though guilty of countless sins, it was not punished, but received forgiveness and many blessings. Suppose someone had a slave who had offended many times. He did not punish him with lashes, but granted him forgiveness.

Since the Apostle required much that is great from slaves, I mean that they should adorn the Lord’s teaching by their virtuous life, he now shows why he rightly demands such lofty qualities from them. For grace appeared for them also, although they are slaves. “For all men,” he says. The Lord also granted them the cleansing of many sins, and they must live the rest of their time to the glory of their Benefactor.

He Who was born of a woman (Gal 4:4) and in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3) became like us for our sake, and at the same time He is above us, since He is apprehended in thought as God. [...] For one and the same was God and man. I do not know how those heretics plunder this sacred and most wondrous divine economy of the Only-begotten. They join to Him as God the man Jesus through a "relation," scetikwj. They honor Him in a contemptuous and external way, as shining with another's glory. Thus He is not truly God, but an associate and participant of God. Therefore He is falsely called Son, a Savior who is saved, and a Redeemer who is redeemed. This contradicts what blessed Paul wrote.

Who does not know how demonic deception filled all parts of the universe through idolatry, having taken possession of human life? How did it become law for all the nations of the world to serve demons in idols, with animal sacrifices and the placing of abominations on altars? But since, according to the word of the Apostle, “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,” coming in human nature, all this has been turned into nothing, like smoke.

“For the grace of God bringing salvation has appeared to all men,” that is, the truth has been proclaimed to Jews and Gentiles, to masters and slaves.

For this reason the Only-begotten Son of God was incarnate: to deem all people worthy of salvation, masters and servants alike. He prepared them not only to abandon impiety, but also a lawless life. The Apostle also showed us the straight path, commanding us to live in piety and temperance. He then shows the fruit of progress.

By “the grace of God” the Apostle here means Christ, since He granted remission of transgressions to the guilty and deemed them worthy of spiritual gifts. Thus He truly serves as grace and benefaction for them, and grants salvation to “all men” who obey His commandments. See the commentary on Tit 2:12.

Paul depicts these two comings in his letter to Titus with these words: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, teaching us that, denying impiety and worldly desires. We should live temperately, righteously, and piously in the present age, awaiting the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Do you see? He speaks both of the first coming, for which he gives thanks, and of the second, which we await. Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven. He will come in glory at the end of this world, on the last day.

Therefore, beloved, at the appearing of grace such riches of divine goodness were poured out upon us. We were not served only by the benefit of preceding examples, by which men are called to eternity. Truth Himself appeared, visible and bodily. Therefore we must celebrate the day of the Lord’s Nativity not with slothful or fleshly joy.

“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.” Grace here is understood in the most general sense, as the totality of all gracious gifts, or even in the sense of the Giver of every grace, Christ.

"The grace of God has appeared." By the grace of God the Apostle here plainly means the whole divine economy of human salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"Bringing salvation to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly passions, we should live soberly, righteously, and piously in the present age" (Tit 2:11-12).

It is remarkable how these apostolic words expose the false teaching about justification by faith alone, apart from good works. The Lutherans understand superficially and incorrectly the Apostle Paul's many strong expressions about justifying faith, especially in Romans and Galatians.

After reading everything the Apostle has said so far, someone might ask why so much care should be taken for slaves, when few people think about them. Another might wonder why he commands that everyone be taught only how to live, as though there were no other subjects.

The Apostle answers: I care for slaves because the saving grace of God has appeared to all men, not excluding slaves. And I command that they be taught chiefly how to live because this saving grace, embracing all, appeared for this purpose: to make us zealous for good works by teaching us to live chastely, piously, and righteously.

The first answer is contained in the present verse, and the second in those that follow. Chrysostom places this verse in direct connection with the preceding instruction to slaves:

At Theophany the Church celebrates the solemn outpouring of abundant gracious gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the God-man Jesus Christ, and through Him upon all humanity. Therefore the words of the holy Apostle Paul were chosen for the communion verse: “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.”