Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 62:1 (NA 2011)
Article: The Christology Of Titus 2:13 And 1 Timothy 2:5
Author: J. Christopher Edwards

TynBull 62:1 (2011) p. 141

The Christology Of Titus 2:13 And 1 Timothy 2:5

J. Christopher Edwards

Summary

This article makes an acute observation about the strong similarities between Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Timothy 2:1-7. These similarities are significant because they suggest that it is not valid to translate Titus 2:13 as: ‘The glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.’ This traditional translation affirms Jesus’ deity by ascribing to him the title of θεός.

1. Introduction

ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ (Titus 2:13)

Εἷς γὰρ θεός, εἷς καὶ μεσίτης θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἄνθρωπος Χριστὸς ᾿Ιησοῦς (1 Timothy 2:5)

Titus 2:13 is one of the few passages in the New Testament that could explicitly affirm Jesus’ deity by ascribing to him the title of θεός.1 The connection between ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός and θεός in Titus 2:13 is founded on the grammatical principle known as Granville Sharp’s rule. In this short study, I will briefly review this rule and the translational options it affords Titus 2:13. I will then examine the greater context of Titus 2:11-14 and the parallel context of 1 Timothy 2:1-7. These two passages have strong similarities, which is not surprising since the same author likely wrote Titus and 1 Timothy.2

TynBull 62:1 (2011) p. 142

Among these similarities are an emphasis on God’s universal salvation, an exhortation for godly living, and the influence of Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:6-8. Perhaps the most important similarity is the dependence on a tradition that is similar to Mark 10:45. The dependence on this tradition is widely recognised. What is not wid...