Titus 2:12 Irreverence versus devoutness

… training us that, disowning irreverence and worldly desires, we should be living sanely and justly and devoutly in the current eon…

Paul mentions the contrast between “irreverence” and “devoutly” in this verse. In most translations, this contrast is not well expressed because both words are often rendered as ‘ungodlyness’ and ‘godly’. In Greek, Paul plays with the word “sebeia” meaning “to worship” (> “a-sebeia” and “eu-sebeia”).

The grace of God educates to deny “irreverence.” It is characteristic of the current eon that it does not glorify and thank God as GOD (Rom.1:21). We don’t have to fight that irreverence of the world or take action to counter it. Because that would not only be an impossible task, it would also lead to nothing. Instead of railing against irreverence, we focus positively on the good worship of the one true GOD.

Notice here too what effect the message of GOD’S grace that has appeared savingly to all men. It gives GOD the glory! He never forsakes the works of His hands and guarantees the salvation of all humanity “for free” (!) So all glory to Him!

Delen: