ACC ~ Titus 2 v11a

THIS WONDERFUL AND NOBLE ECONOMY. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: We say, therefore, that he came forth from a woman, and in the likeness of sinful flesh, he who for our sake be-came as we are and yet is above us insofar as he is understood as God. … The same was at once God and man. I cannot understand how these people pillage this wonderful and noble economy of the Only-Begotten. They connect a man to him in terms of a relationship adorned with external honors and radiant in a glory which is not his, for then he is not truly God. They treat him as someone who has fellowship and participation with God, and is thus a falsely-named son, a saved savior, a redeemed redeemer; all of which contradicts what the blessed Paul wrote. ON THE UNITY OF CHRIST.

TWO COMINGS. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: For Paul has also shown us that there are these two comings, in his epistle to Titus where he says, “The grace of God our Savior has appeared unto all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” You note how he acknowledges with thanksgiving the first coming and that we look for a second. … So our Lord Jesus Christ comes from heaven and comes with glory at the last day to bring this world to its close. CATECHETICAL LECTURES 15.2-3.

GRACE AND JUSTICE. CHRYSOSTOM: He speaks here of two appearings: the first of grace, the second of retribution and justice. HOMILIES ON TITUS 5.

SACRIFICES DISAPPEARED LIKE SMOKE. GREGORY OF NYSSA: Who does not know that the deceit of demons filled every corner of the world and held sway over human life by the madness of idolatry? Who does not realize that every people on earth was accustomed to worship demons under the form of idols, by sacrificing living victims and making foul offerings on their altars? But as the apostle says, from the moment that God’s saving grace appeared among men and dwelt in human nature, all this vanished into nothing, like smoke. ADDRESS ON RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION 18.

THE CHRISTMAS FEAST. LEO THE GREAT: It is, therefore, with an unmistakable tenderness that so great a wealth of divine goodness has been poured out on us, dearly beloved. Not only has the usefulness of foregoing examples served for calling us to eternity, but the Truth himself has even “appeared” in a visible body. We ought, then, to celebrate this day of the Lord’s birth with no listless and worldly joy. SERMONS 23.5.

Tit