3:1 To be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient (\archais exousiais hupotassesthai peitharchein\). Remarkable double asyndeton, no \kai\ (and) between the two substantives or the two verbs. \Peitharchein\ (to obey), old verb (from \peithomai, archˆ\), in N.T. only here and Ac 27:21. To be ready unto every good work (\pros pan ergon agathon hetoimous einai\). Pauline phrase (2Co 9:8; 2Ti 2:21; 3:17), here adjective \hetoimos\ (2Co 9:5), there verb.

3:2 To speak evil (\blasphˆmein\). See Col 3:8; 1Ti 6:4. Not to be contentious (\amachous einai\). "To be non-fighters" (1Ti 3:3), originally "invincible." Gentle (\epieikeis\). See 1Ti

3:3. Meekness (\prautˆta\). \Praotˆta\. See Col 3:12.

3:3 Aforetime (\pote\). "Once" in our unconverted state as in Eph 2:3. Foolish (\anoˆtoi\). See Ro 1:14,21. Disobedient (\apeitheis\). See Ro 1:30. Deceived (\plan“menoi\). Present passive participle of \plana“\ though the middle is possible. Divers lusts (\hˆdonais poikilais\). "Pleasures" (\hˆdonais\ from \hˆdomai\, old word, in N.T. only here, Lu 8:14; Jas 4:1,3; 2Pe 2:13). \Poikilais\ (old word) is many-coloured as in Mr 1:34; Jas 1:2; 2Ti 3:6, etc. Living (\diagontes\). See 1Ti 3:6 (supply \bion\). In malice (\en kakiƒi\). See Ro 1:29. Envy (\phthon“i\). See Ro 1:29. Hateful (\stugˆtoi\). Late passive verbal from \stuge“\, to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T. Hating one another (\misountes allˆlous\). Active sense and natural result of being "hateful."

3:4 The kindness (\hˆ chrˆstotˆs\). See Ro 2:4 for this very word used of God as here. His love toward man (\hˆ philanthr“pia\). "The philanthrophy of God our Saviour." Old word from \philanthr“pos\, for love of mankind, in N.T. only here and Ac 28:2. Appeared (\epephanˆ\). See 2:11 and here as there the Incarnation of Christ. See 1Ti 1:1 for \s“tˆr\ with \theos\ (God).

3:5 Done (not in the Greek, only the article \t“n\), "not as a result of works those in righteousness which we did." Same idea as in Ro 3:20f. According to his mercy he saved us (\kata to autou eleos es“sen\). See Ps 109:26; 1Pe 1:3; Eph 2:4. Effective aorist active indicative of \s“z“\. Through the washing of regeneration (\dia loutrou palingenesias\). Late and common word with the Stoics (Dibelius) and in the Mystery-religions (Angus), also in the papyri and Philo. Only twice in the N.T. (Mt 19:28 with which compare \apokatastasia\ in Ac 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For \loutron\, see Eph 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Ro 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. And renewing of the Holy Spirit (\kai anakain“se“s pneumatos hagiou\). "And renewal by the Holy Spirit" (subjective genitive). For the late word \anakain“sis\, see Ro 12:2. Here, as often, Paul has put the objective symbol before the reality. The Holy Spirit does the renewing, man submits to the baptism after the new birth to picture it forth to men.

3:6 Which (\hou\). Genitive case by attraction from \ho\ (grammatical gender) to the case of \pneumatos hagiou\. We do not have grammatical gender (only natural) in English. Hence here we should say "whom," even if it does not go smoothly with \execheen\ (he poured out, second aorist active indicative of \ekche“\). The reference is to the great Pentecost (Ac 2:33) as foretold by Joel (Joe 2:28). Richly (\plousi“s\). Then and to each one in his own experience. See Ro 10:12; 1Ti 6:17.

3:7 Being justified by his grace (\dikai“thentes tˆi ekeinou chariti\). First aorist passive participle of \dikaio“\ and instrumental case of \charis\ as in Ro 3:24; 5:1. That we might be made heirs (\hina klˆronomoi genˆth“men\). Purpose with \hina\ and first aorist passive of \ginomai\. See Ro 4:13; 8:17.

3:8 The saying (\ho logos\). In verses 4-7. I will (\boulomai\). See 1Ti 2:8. That thou affirm confidently (\se diabebaiousthai\). Indirect command. For the verb see 1Ti 1:7. That they may be careful (\hina phrontiz“sin\). Sub-final use of \hina\ with present active subjunctive of \phrontiz“\, old verb, only here in N.T. To maintain good works (\kal“n erg“n pro‹stasthai\). Present middle infinitive of \proistˆmi\, intransitive use, to stand before, to take the lead in, to care for. Paul is anxious that "believers" may take the lead in good works.

3:9 Fightings about the law (\machas nomikas\). "Legal battles." See 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Wordy fights about Mosaic and Pharisaic and Gnostic regulations. Shun (\periistaso\). Present middle imperative of \periistˆmi\, intransitive, step around, stand aside (2Ti 2:16). Common in this sense in the literary _Koin‚_. Unprofitable (\an“pheleis\). Old compound adjective (\a\ privative and \ophelos\), in N.T. only here and Heb 7:18.

3:10 Heretical (\hairetikon\). Old adjective from \hairesis\ (\haireomai\, to choose), a choosing of a party (sect, Ac 5:17) or of teaching (2Pe 2:1). Possibly a schism had been started here in Crete. Refuse (\paraitou\). Present middle imperative of \paraite“\, to ask from, to beg off from. See same form in 1Ti 4:7; 5:11. Possibly an allusion here to Christ's directions in Mt 18:15-17.

3:11 Is perverted (\exestraptai\). Perfect passive indicative of \ekstreph“\, old word to turn inside out, to twist, to pervert. Only here in N.T. Self-condemned (\autokatakritos\). Only known example of this double compound verbal adjective (\autos, kata, krin“\).

3:12 When I shall send (\hotan pemps“\). Indefinite temporal clause with \hotan\ and the first aorist active subjunctive (or future indicative) of \pemp“\ (same form). Artemas (\Artemƒn\). Perhaps abbreviation of Artemidorus. Nothing more is known of him. Or Tychicus (\ˆ Tuchikon\). Paul's well-known disciple (Col 4:7; Eph 6:21; 2Ti 4:12). To Nicopolis (\eis Nikopolin\). Probably in Epirus, a good place for work in Dalmatia (2Ti 4:10). I have determined (\kekrika\). Perfect active indicative. I have decided. To winter there (\ekei paracheimasai\). First aorist active infinitive of \paracheimaz“\, a literary _Koin‚_ word for which see Ac 27:12; 1Co 16:6.

3:13 Zenas the lawyer (\Zˆnƒn ton nomikon\). Possibly abbreviation of Zenodorus and may be one of the bearers of the Epistle with Apollos. Probably an expert in the Mosaic law as the word means in the Gospels. A converted Jewish lawyer. The Latin term is _jurisconsultum_ for \nomikon\. Apollos (\Apoll“n\). Paul's friend (Ac 18:24-19:1; 1Co 1:12ff.). Set forward (\propempson\). First aorist active imperative of \propemp“\, old verb, to send on ahead (1Co 16:6,11; Ro 15:24). That nothing be wanting unto them (\hina mˆden autois leipˆi\). Purpose with \hina\ and present (or second aorist \lipˆi\, some MSS.) subjunctive of \leip“\, old verb to leave, to remain, to lack. With dative case here (\autois\).

3:14 Our people (\hoi hˆmeteroi\). "Our folks." The Cretan converts, not just Paul's friends. Let learn (\manthanet“san\). Present active imperative, keep on learning how. To maintain (\pro‹stasthai\). See verse 8. For necessary uses (\eis anagkaias chreias\). "For necessary wants." No idlers wanted. See 1Th 4:12; 2Th 3:10f. Unfruitful (\akarpoi\). See 1Co 14:14; Eph 5:11.

3:15 That love us (\tous philountas hˆmƒs\). Paul craved the love of his friends as opposed to 2:8.