Titus: The New American Commentary

I used Dr. Hayne Griffin Jr.’s commentary on Titus extensively during the Titus series at Rocky Creek.

The New American Commentary is for those who have been seeking a commentary that honors the Scriptures, represent the finest in contemporary evangelical scholarship, and lends itself to the practical work of preaching and teaching.

Dr. Griffin was one of my seminary professors while at Southern Seminary’s extension campus in Greenville.  He was the one “lay” commentator for the entire series.  Dr. Griffin has been extensively trained but never felt a call to full-time pastorate or seminary education.  He continued to run the family furniture business in Greer, SC.  He has taught adjunct at seminary levels and in his church.  I reconnected with him before teaching through Titus to go over notes and thoughts with him.  He is a gift!  I even used a part of his story for one of the sermons.

Favorite Quotes

  1. It is unfortunate when systematic theology goes beyond the express teaching of Scripture (264).
  2. In a day when many Christian institutions have been marred by financial irresponsibility, lack of integrity, division over nonessential issues, and the ever-present threat of false doctrine, Titus serves as a challenging example of a man of character who was consistently available to do God’s work (273).
  3. Simply put, these are qualifications that a man must meet in order to become an elder; they are not characteristics that a man should assume after he becomes an elder (279).
  4. The Christian leader should be sensitive to use authority in ways that truly promote God’s work and not any personal agenda (283).
  5. The church must not allow the gospel to be held captive to a free-speech mentality that compromises God’s clear revelation (289).
  6. The common expression “More is caught than taught” aptly sums up the power of teaching by personal example (304).
  7. Especially noteworthy is the fact that the exemplary behavior of those at the lowest level of society (i.e., slaves) has the effect of “making attractive” (kosmosin, “adorning”) the gospel (308).
  8. The highest and purest motivation for Christian behavior is not based on what we can do for God but rather upon what God has done for us and yet will do (316).
  9. The biblical fact that people cannot earn salvation strikes at the very heart of human pride and thus denies people the opportunity of exalting themselves (322).
  10. Divisions within the church result in believers who are confused, frustrated, angry, and hurt (328).
  11. Supplying the needs of those who traveled from their homes to proclaim the gospel was a reasonable and evidently honored expectation among Christians (332).