Titus 2:13 (“our great God... Jesus”)

This article defends the interpretation that Titus 2:13 does not mean Jesus is “our great God” in the sense of being Almighty God himself. Although the single-person reading has substantial grammatical force, applying that title to Jesus need not identify him as the Father. Jesus is understood here as the Father's Son, the Christ and his sent representative, through whom the Father saves.

Interpretations

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” — Titus 2:13 (ESV)

Possible explanations:

  • Single Person Interpretation: The NET Bible note on Titus 2:13 applies the Granville Sharp rule and takes “our great God and Savior” as referring to the one person. Because the two singular personal titles share one article and are joined by “and,” the single-referent reading has substantial grammatical force. Even if Titus here calls Jesus “God and Savior,” that usage must be read within the letter and the wider scriptural category of representation. Titus repeatedly distinguishes “God our Savior” from “Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:3–4; 3:4–6). God pours out the Spirit “through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:6). The same saving title applies to God as source and to Jesus as the one through whom God saves.
  • Two Persons Interpretation: This perspective argues that the text refers to two distinct persons, namely the Father ("the great God") and the Son (the "Saviour Jesus Christ"). However, Pauline theology generally distinguishes between the Son and the Father and "Saviour" is used for both throughout the Pastoral Epistles.
  • Glory Interpretation: Paul wrote about "the appearing of the glory". Who's glory? "of our great God and Saviour", namely "Jesus Christ". This is inline with other Pauline letters:

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. — 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (ESV)

Likewise, these passages connect glory with Christ through the phrases “of Christ” and “in the face of Jesus Christ”.

Warning

Original Greek manuscripts did not contain English commas. Depending on where the translater put these commas, could significantly changes who is the glory and who is the God. Compare bible translations to see the differences.