From: Mark Markham (markhamm@topsurf.com)
Date: Sat Feb 26 2000 - 14:36:09 EST
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<P>What is the precise meaning of PISTA in Titus 1:6? Faithful, believing,
full of faith, trustworthy? Would you agree with the commentator below? Is this
an accurate conclusion based on NT usage etc.?</P></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>"Pistos is a verbal adjective that passively means
"trustworthy", or "faithful" (as KJV), and actively means to <STRONG>believe,
</STRONG>as rendered here. Some commentators believe that Paul is using only the
passive sense here and is simply referring to <STRONG>children</STRONG> who are
well behaved, who can be trusted to do what is right and are faithful to their
parents.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the New Testament <EM>pistos </EM>is used
passively of God's faithfulness (see, e.g., 1 Cor. 1:9; 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:18), of
Christ's faithfulness (see e.g., 2 Thess.3:3; Heb. 2:17; 3:2), of the
faithfulness, or trustworthiness, of God's words (see, e.g., Acts 13:34; 1 Tim.
1:15; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 1:9; 3:8). It is also used passively many times of
people in general. But it is significant that, except for this sometimes
disputed text (Titus 1:6), it always is used of people whom the context clearly
identifies as believers (see e.g., Matt. 25:21,23; Acts 16:15; 1 Cor. 4:2, 17;
Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 4:7; Rev. 2:10, 13; 17:14). Unbelievers are never referred
to as faithful. That fact alone argues strongly for the rendering here of
<STRONG>children who believe, </STRONG>that is, who have placed their faith in
Jesus Christ. Even if the idea were that of faithfulness to parents, the use of
<EM>pistos </EM>in those other passages would argue for its referring to the
faithfulness of <EM>believing</EM> children."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mark Markham</DIV>
<DIV>Heidelberg, Germany</DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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