SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:14
Y aprendan asimismo los nuestros a conducirse en buenas obras para los usos necesarios, para que no sean intiles.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Titus 3:14
Verse 14. And let others also learn to maintain good works] There is something very remarkable in this expression. The words kalwn ergwn proistasqai, which we translate to maintain good works, occur also in ver. 8; and some think they mean, to provide for our own, and the necessities of others, by working at some honest occupation; and that this was necessary to be taught to the Cretans, let OURS also learn, &c., who were naturally and practically idle gluttons. Kypke observed that the words mean, 1. To be employed in good works. 2. To defend good works, and to recommend the performance of them. 3. To promote and forward good works; to be always first in them. For necessary uses] That they may be able at all times to help the Church of God, and those that are in want.
That they be not unfruitful.] As they must be if they indulge themselves in their idle, slothful disposition.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. And let ours also learn to maintain good works , etc.] By which are not only meant honest trades, as some choose to render the words: it is true, that a trade is a work; and an honest lawful employment of life is a good work; and which ought to be maintained, attended to, and followed, and to be learnt, in order to be followed. The Jews say, that he that does not teach his son a trade, it is all one as if he taught him to rob or steal; hence their doctors were brought up to trades; (see Gill on Mark 6:3); as was the Apostle Paul, though he had an education under Gamaliel: and such an one is to be learned and maintained for necessary uses, for the good of a man's self, and for the supply of his family; for the assistance of others that are in need; for the support of the Gospel, and the interest of Christ; and for the relief of poor saints; that such may not be unfruitful and useless, in commonwealths, neighbourhoods, churches, and families. The Jews say f28 there are four things which a man should constantly attend to with all his might, and they are these; the law, good works, prayer, Ura rdw , and the way of the earth, or business; if a tradesman, to his trade; if a merchant, to his merchandise; if a man of war to war.
But though this may be part of the sense of these words, it is not the whole of it; nor are acts of beneficence to the poor of Christ, to the household of faith, to strangers and ministers, to whom good is especially to be done, only intended; though they, may be taken into the account, in agreement with the context; but all good works in general, which are done in conformity to the revealed will of God, in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God, are meant: to maintain them, is to endeavour to outdo others in them, not only the men of the world, but one another; and to set examples of them to others, and to provoke one another, by an holy emulation, to them; and to be constant in the performance of them: and which believers may learn partly from the Scriptures, which contain what is the good and perfect will of God; these show what are good works, and direct unto them, and furnish the man of God for them; and also the grace part of the Scripture, the doctrines of the grace of God, teach to deny sin, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives; and from the examples of the apostles and followers of Christ; and above all from Christ himself, the great pattern and exemplar of good works: and this lesson of good works is to be learnt by ours; meaning not only those of the same function, who were in the same office, ministers of the Gospel, as were the apostle and Titus; but all that believed in God, who were of the same Christian community and society, professors of the same religion, and partakers of the same grace; and were not only nominally, but really of the same number, even of the number of God's elect, the redeemed from among men, the family of Christ, sharers in the common faith, and heirs of the grace of life; who lie under the greatest obligations to learn to do good works: for necessary uses; not to make their peace with God, or to atone for their sins, or to procure the pardon of them, or to cleanse them from them, or for their justification before God, or to obtain salvation and eternal life; but to glorify God, testify their subjection to him, and gratitude for mercies received; to show forth their faith to men; to adorn the doctrine of Christ, and a profession of it; to recommend religion to others; to stop the mouths of gainsayers, and put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: and that they be not unfruitful; in them, and in the knowledge of Christ; good works are the fruits of the Spirit, and of his grace; they are fruits of righteousness; and such as are without them are like trees without fruit, useless and unprofitable.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-15 - Christianity is not a fruitless profession; and its professors must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They must be doing good, as well a keeping away from evil. Let "ours" follow some honest labour an employment, to provide for themselves and their families. Christianit obliges all to seek some honest work and calling, and therein to abid with God. The apostle concludes with expressions of kind regard an fervent prayer. Grace be with you all; the love and favour of God, with the fruits and effects thereof, according to need; and the increase an feeling of them more and more in your souls. This is the apostle's wis and prayer, showing his affection to them, and desire for their good and would be a means of obtaining for them, and bringing down on them the thing requested. Grace is the chief thing to be wished and praye for, with respect to ourselves or others; it is "all good. __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ασπαζονται 782 5736 V-PNI-3P σε 4571 P-2AS οι 3588 T-NPM μετ 3326 PREP εμου 1700 P-1GS παντες 3956 A-NPM ασπασαι 782 5663 V-ADM-2S τους 3588 T-APM φιλουντας 5368 5723 V-PAP-APM ημας 2248 P-1AP εν 1722 PREP πιστει 4102 N-DSF η 3588 T-NSF χαρις 5485 N-NSF μετα 3326 PREP παντων 3956 A-GPM υμων 5216 P-2GP αμην 281 HEB [προς 4314 PREP τιτον 5103 N-ASM της 3588 T-GSF κρητων 2912 N-GPM εκκλησιας 1577 N-GSF πρωτον 4413 A-ASM επισκοπον 1985 N-ASM χειροτονηθεντα 5500 5685 V-APP-ASM εγραφη 1125 5648 V-2API-3S απο 575 PREP νικοπολεως 3533 N-GSF της 3588 T-GSF μακεδονιας] 3109 N-GSF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:14 {Our people} (hoi hemeteroi). "Our folks." The Cretan converts, not just Paul's friends. {Let learn} (manqanetwsan). Present active imperative, keep on learning how. {To maintain} (prostasqai). See verse #8. {For necessary uses} (eis anagkaias creias). "For necessary wants." No idlers wanted. See #1Th 4:12; 2Th 3:10f. {Unfruitful} (akarpoi). See #1Co 14:14; Eph 5:11.
