Fragments on Titus
Fragmenta in epistulam ad Titum
Severianus of Gabala (fl. c. 400) is the author of these fragments on Titus. They are not Chrysostom's homilies on Titus, and they are not Oecumenius's fragments on that letter.
Paul limits his use of the poet's line to the true charge about Cretans§1
Severianus opens the fragments by explaining why Paul, after quoting the Cretan poet's saying about Cretans, adds that this testimony is true.
1The poet who said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons” (Titus 1:12) was attacking them for pointing to a tomb of Zeus that does not exist. Paul used that same line, but so that he would not be thought to agree with the poet and testify to the immortality of the so-called Zeus, he added, “This testimony is true” (Titus 1:13). That poet lied in defending Zeus, but I speak the truth when I say that Cretans are always liars and idle gluttons. This testimony is true, not that one.
Greek · §1
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Why Paul commands a sharp rebuke, and purity belongs to creation§2
Severianus is explaining Paul's instructions to Titus about rebuking the Cretans and about purity, after Paul quoted the Cretan poet's saying.
2Since Paul often teaches gentleness when he praises it, but found that the Cretans needed the rebuke like a goad, for this reason he said, “Rebuke them sharply” (Titus 1:13). Paul writes, “All things are pure to the pure” (Titus 1:15). God made all things pure. But if they are impure, the accusation touches the one who created them.
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Women called to clerical inheritance§3
Severianus is commenting on Titus 1:16 and 2:3, explaining that Paul's calling older women reverent shows they are summoned to a clerical inheritance.
3And this is what it means: “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works” (Titus 1:16). Paul showed that he calls women to a share in the clerical inheritance, for he would not have called them reverent in Titus 2:3 otherwise.
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Integrity of mind and dignity of work§4
Severianus is explaining Paul's instruction in Titus 2:7, distinguishing where integrity and dignity apply.
4In Tit 2:7, He took integrity as a matter of the mind, and dignity as a matter of work, so that he may hold back not only from corrupt work but also from corrupt thought.
Greek · §4
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