The Meaning of Titus 2:11 Explained

Titus 2:11

KJV: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

YLT: For the saving grace of God was manifested to all men,

Darby: For the grace of God which carries with it salvation for all men has appeared,

ASV: For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  the grace  of God  that bringeth salvation  hath appeared  to all  men, 

What does Titus 2:11 Mean?

Study Notes

grace
Grace (in salvation). vs. Titus 3:7 ; Romans 3:24 .
Grace. Summary:
(1) Grace is "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man.. . not by works of righteousness which we have done" Titus 3:4 ; Titus 3:5 .
It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man Romans 3:21 ; Romans 3:22 ; Romans 8:4 ; Philippians 3:9 . Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith; John 1:17 ; Romans 10:4-10 . Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad; Exodus 19:5 ; Ephesians 2:1-9 . Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift; Deuteronomy 28:1-6 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; Romans 4:4 ; Romans 4:5 .
(2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ Romans 3:24-26 , Romans 4:24 ; Romans 4:25 . The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation,; John 1:12 ; John 1:13 ; John 3:36 ; Matthew 21:37 ; 1 John 5:10-125 ; John 15:22 ; John 15:25 ; Hebrews 1:2 ; 1714190472_52 . The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile Acts 4:27 . The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church: See "Apostasy" (See Scofield " 2 Timothy 3:1 ") 2 Timothy 3:1-8 and the resultant apocalyptic judgments.
(3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation Romans 3:24 and in the walk and service of the saved Romans 6:15 .
See, for the other six dispensations:
Innocence, (See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ")
Conscience, (See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ")
Human Government, (See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ")
Promise, (See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ")
Law, (See Scofield " Exodus 19:8 ")
Kingdom, (See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ") .

Context Summary

Titus 2:9-15 - How We May "adorn The Doctrine"
The servants addressed in this tender and priceless paragraph were household slaves, employed in the most menial drudgery, but they were taught that even they might adorn the Gospel as jewels adorn the brow of beauty. Their holy lives might display and set forth its loveliness. To please one's superiors, in all things so far as our loyalty to Christ permits, is to commend Christ to our households, and win His approval. The grace of God has ever offered salvation, but in Jesus it was brought to our doors. In its first appearance, it came to teach; in its second appearance, it will bring us glory. Have we sat sufficiently long in the school of grace, that our gentle Teacher may instruct us how to live? It must be soberly in regard to ourselves, righteously toward others, and godly toward God. And we cannot realize any one of these unless we resolutely deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. This was the aim and purpose of Jesus in coming to die for us. He wanted to redeem us from all iniquity, purify us as His own, and use us in all manner of good works. It is a solemn question whether that supreme purpose has been realized in our own experience. If not, why not? [source]

Chapter Summary: Titus 2

1  Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life
10  Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians

Greek Commentary for Titus 2:11

Hath appeared [επεπανη]
“Did appear,” the first Epiphany (the Incarnation). Second aorist passive indicative of επιπαινω — epiphainō old verb, in N.T. here, Titus 3:4; Luke 1:79; Acts 27:20. [source]
Bringing salvation [σωτηριος]
Old adjective from σωτηρ — sōtēr (Saviour), here alone in N.T. except το σωτηριον — to sōtērion (salvation, “the saving act”) in Luke 2:30; Luke 3:6; Ephesians 6:17. Instructing (παιδευουσα — paideuousa). See note on 1 Timothy 1:20. Ungodliness See note on Romans 1:18. Worldly lusts (τας κοσμικας επιτυμιας — tas kosmikas epithumias). Aristotle and Plutarch use κοσμικος — kosmikos (from κοσμος — kosmos) about the universe as in Hebrews 9:1 about the earthly. Here it has alone in N.T. the sense of evil “in this present age” as with κοσμος — kosmos in 1 John 2:16. The three adverbs set off the opposite (soberly σωπρονως — sōphronōs righteously δικαιως — dikaiōs godly ευσεβως — eusebōs). [source]
Instructing [παιδευουσα]
See note on 1 Timothy 1:20. [source]
Ungodliness [ασεβειαν]
See note on Romans 1:18. Worldly lusts (τας κοσμικας επιτυμιας — tas kosmikas epithumias). Aristotle and Plutarch use κοσμικος — kosmikos (from κοσμος — kosmos) about the universe as in Hebrews 9:1 about the earthly. Here it has alone in N.T. the sense of evil “in this present age” as with κοσμος — kosmos in 1 John 2:16. The three adverbs set off the opposite (soberly σωπρονως — sōphronōs righteously δικαιως — dikaiōs godly ευσεβως — eusebōs). [source]
Worldly lusts [τας κοσμικας επιτυμιας]
Aristotle and Plutarch use κοσμικος — kosmikos (from κοσμος — kosmos) about the universe as in Hebrews 9:1 about the earthly. Here it has alone in N.T. the sense of evil “in this present age” as with κοσμος — kosmos in 1 John 2:16. The three adverbs set off the opposite (soberly σωπρονως — sōphronōs righteously δικαιως — dikaiōs godly ευσεβως — eusebōs). [source]
[]
d This teaching or doctrine which is to be adorned by the lives of God's servants - the teaching of the gospel - is now stated in Titus 2:11-15. [source]
The grace of God [ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ]
A common Pauline phrase. The exact phrase only here in Pastorals. It is the ultimate ground of salvation. Comp. 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 1:15. [source]
That bringeth salvation [σωτήριος]
Lit. saving. N.T.oConst. with χαρις graceThe saving grace of God. [source]
Hath appeared [ἐπεφάνη]
Only in Pastorals, Luke, and Acts. In the active voice, to bring to light, show. See on ἐπιφάνεια appearing 1 Timothy 6:14. [source]
To all men []
Const. with that bringeth salvation, not with hath appeared. [source]
The grace of God which is saving for all men []
Comp. 1 Timothy 2:4. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Titus 2:11

Luke 1:79 To shine upon [επιπαναι]
First aorist active infinitive of επιπαινω — epiphainō (liquid verb). An old verb to give light, to shine upon, like the sun or stars. See also Acts 27:20; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:8 With the brightness [τῇ ἐπιφανείᾳ]
See on 1 Timothy 6:14. Rev., correctly, manifestation. See lxx, Esther 5:1; Amos 5:22; 3 Maccabees 2:9. In class. (but late) of deities appearing to a worshipper (Plut. Themistocles, 30): of the sudden appearance of an enemy (Polyb. i. 54,2): of a manifestation of Providence (Diod. Sic. i. 15): of the heathen gods assuming shape and appearing in order to work mischief (Just. Mart. Apol. i. 5). In N.T. of the parousia. See 1Timothy href="/desk/?q=1ti+6:14&sr=1">1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13. In 2 Timothy 1:10, of Christ's historical manifestation. So ἐπιφαίνω , Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4. Only here in Paul. [source]
1 Timothy 6:14 Appearing [ἐπιφανείας]
See on 2 Thessalonians 2:8. In the Books of Maccabees it is used to describe appearances and interventions of God for the aid of his people. See 3:24; 14:15; 15:27; 3 Maccabees 5:8,51. In 2Timothy href="/desk/?q=2ti+4:18&sr=1">2 Timothy 4:18, and Titus 2:13, it denotes, as here, the second coming of Christ. In 2 Timothy 1:10, his historical manifestation, for which also the verb ἐπιφαίνειν is used, Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4. for the Lord is second advent Paul commonly uses παρουσία presenceonce the verb φανεροῦν tomake manifest (Colossians 3:4), and once ἀποκάλυψις revelation(2 Thessalonians 1:7). It is quite possible that the word ἐπιφάνεια , so characteristic of these Epistles, grew out of the Gnostic vocabulary, in which it was used of the sudden appearing of the hitherto concealed heavenly aeon, Christ. This they compared to a sudden light from heaven; and Christ, who thus appeared, though only docetically, without an actual fleshly body, was styled σωτὴρ savioralthough his oneness with the God of creation was denied. The Creator and the Redeemer were not the same, but were rather opposed. Christ was only a factor of a great cosmological process of development. As Neander observes: “The distinctive aim of the Gnostics was to apprehend the appearance of Christ and the new creation proceeding from him in their connection with the evolution of the whole universe.” [source]
2 Timothy 1:10 By the appearing [δια της επιπανειας]
Only here of the Incarnation (except the verb, Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4), but for the second coming see note on Titus 2:13. Who abolished death (καταργησαντος μεν τον τανατον — katargēsantos men ton thanaton). First aorist active participle of καταργεω — katargeō the very phrase in 1 Corinthians 15:26; Hebrews 2:14. Brought to light First aorist active participle of πωτιζω — phōtizō literary Koiné{[28928]}š word for which see note on 1 Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 1:18, to turn the light on. Life and incorruption (ζωην και απταρσιαν — zōēn kai aphtharsian). The opposite of τανατος — thanatos “life and immortality” (unchangeable life). [source]
Titus 2:13 The blessed hope and appearing of the glory [την μακαριαν ελπιδα και επιπανειαν της δοχης]
The word επιπανεια — epiphaneia (used by the Greeks of the appearance of the gods, from επιπανησ επιπαινω — epiphanēsεπεπανη — epiphainō) occurs in 2 Timothy 1:10 of the Incarnation of Christ, the first Epiphany (like the verb επιπανεια — epephanē Titus 2:11), but here of the second Epiphany of Christ or the second coming as in 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:8. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 both παρουσια — epiphaneia and του μεγαλου τεου και σωτηρος Ιησου Χριστου — parousia (the usual word) occur together of the second coming. Of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (τεου — tou megalou theou kai sōtēros Iēsou Christou). This is the necessary meaning of the one article with σωτηρος — theou and Χριστου Ιησου — sōtēros just as in 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:11. See Robertson, Grammar, p. 786. Westcott and Hort read Christou Iēsou f0). [source]
Titus 2:11  []
d This teaching or doctrine which is to be adorned by the lives of God's servants - the teaching of the gospel - is now stated in Titus 2:11-15. [source]
Titus 3:4 Love [φιλανθρωπία]
Love is too vague. It is love toward men; comp. Titus 3:2. Only here and Acts 28:2: φιλανθρώπως kindly, Acts 27:3(note). While it cannot be asserted that the heretical characteristics noted in the Pastoral Epistles point collectively to any specific form of error, it is true, nevertheless, that certain characteristics of the economy of grace are emphasized, which are directly opposed to Gnostic ideas. Thus the exhortation that supplications be made for all men, supported by the statement that God wills that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1, 1 Timothy 2:4), is in the teeth of the Gnostic distinction between men of spirit and men of matter, and of the Gnostic principle that the knowledge ( ἐπίγνωσις ) of truth was only for a limited, intellectual class. To the same effect is the frequent recurrence of all, for all, in connection with the saving and enlightening gifts of God (1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 6:13; Titus 2:11). So here: not only has the saving grace of God appeared unto all (Titus 2:11), but it has revealed itself as kindness and love to man as man. [source]
1 John 2:8 Shineth [φαίνει]
See on John 1:5. Compare Revelation 1:16; Revelation 8:12; Revelation 21:23; 2 Peter 1:19. See also Romans 13:11sqq.; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4. [source]

What do the individual words in Titus 2:11 mean?

Has appeared for the grace - of God bringing salvation to all men
Ἐπεφάνη γὰρ χάρις τοῦ Θεοῦ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις

Ἐπεφάνη  Has  appeared 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐπιφαίνω  
Sense: to show to or upon.
χάρις  grace 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: χάρις  
Sense: grace.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
σωτήριος  bringing  salvation 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: σωτήριον 
Sense: saving, bringing salvation.
πᾶσιν  to  all 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ἀνθρώποις  men 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.