Fragments on Titus
Fragmenta in epistulam ad Titum
The Truth of the Witness§1
1Since the poet who said that the Cretans are always liars, wild beasts, and lazy bellies (Titus 1:12), took these words, said that they badly demonstrate the tomb of a non-existent Zeus, Paul used the same verse so that it might not be thought that he runs to the poet and that the one called Zeus witnesses immortality; he brought it forward. This witness is true. That one lied by supporting Zeus, but I speak truthfully, saying that the Cretans are always liars and lazy bellies. This witness is true, not that one.
Since he often teaches moderation in praise (Titus 1:13), but he found the Cretans having need of something like a center of striking, because of this he said that they are sharp.
Greek · §1
Fragmenta in epistulam ad Titum (in catenis) Tit 1,12®13a Ἐπειδὴ ὁ ποιητὴς ὁ εἰρηκὼς τὸ Κρῆτες ἀεὶ ψεῦσται, κακὰ θηρία, γαστέρες ἀργαί, ἐπιλαμβανόμενος αὐτῶν εἶπεν ὡς κακῶς δεικνύντων τάφον ∆ιὸς τὸν οὐκ ὄντα, ἐχρήσατο δὲ τῷ αὐτῷ στίχῳ Παῦλος, ἴνα μὴ νομισθῇ τῷ ποιητῇ συντρέχειν καὶ τῷ λεγομένῳ ∆ιῒ μαρτυρεῖν ἀθανασίαν, ἐπήγαγεν· ἡ μαρτυρία αὕτη ἀληθής ἐστιν. ἐκεῖνος ἐψεύσατο τῷ ∆ιῒ συνηγορῶν, ἐγὼ δὲ ἀληθεύω λέγων ὅτι οἱ Κρῆτες ἀεὶ ψεῦσταί εἰσιν καὶ γαστέρες ἀργαί. αὕτη ἡ μαρτυρία ἀληθής, οὐκ ἐκείνη. Tit 1,13b Ἐπειδὴ πολλάκις ἐπαινῶν ἐπιείκειαν ἐκδιδάσκει, εὗρεν δὲ τοὺς Κρῆτας χρείαν ἔχοντας ὥσπερ κέντρου τῆς ἐπιπλήξεως, διὰ τοῦτο εἶπεν ὅτι ἀποτόμως
The Purity of All Things§2
2Examine. All things indeed are pure to the pure (Titus 1:15). God has made all things pure; but if things are unclean, the accusation of the rejoicing creator touches it. And this is...
Greek · §2
ἔλεγχε. Tit 1,15®16 Πάντα μὲν καθαρὰ τοῖς καθαροῖς. ὁ θεὸς πάντα καθαρὰ ἐποίησεν· εἰ δὲ ἀκάθαρτά ἐστιν, ἡ κατηγορία τοῦ δημιουρ345 γήσαντος ἅπτεται. καὶ τοῦτό ἐστι
Acknowledgment vs Denial in Works§3
3They confess to know God, but in works they deny him.
He showed that he calls women to an inheritance (Tit 2:3); for he would not have said they are fit for priestly service (Tit 2:3).
The matter of indifference (Tit 2:7).
Greek · §3
τὸ θεὸν ὁμολογοῦσιν εἰδέναι, τοῖς δὲ ἔργοις ἀρνοῦνται. Tit 2,3 Ἔδειξεν ὅτι εἰς κλῆρον τὰς γυναῖκας καλεῖ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν ἱεροπρεπεῖς εἶπεν. Tit 2,7 Τὸ τῆς ἀδιαφορίας
Intellect and Dignity in Work§4
4He took hold of it through the intellect, but that which pertains to dignity is in the work, so that he might abstain not only from corruptible work but also from corruptible thought.
Greek · §4
ἐπὶ τοῦ νοῦ ἔλαβεν, τὸ δὲ τῆς σεμνότητος ἐπὶ τοῦ ἔργου, ἵνα μὴ μόνον ἔργου ἀπέχῃ φθαρτοῦ ἀλλὰ καὶ νοήματος.