In our lesson-which really interrupts an ongoing progression of thought-the writer summarizes the gospel. Two comings of Christ are intimated and the writer establishes coherence between the two-between what has been accomplished (vs.11, 14)and the hope for what is yet to happen (v.13).

• The NRSV has two participles-bringing / training-following the opening line that describe the impact of Christ’s initial coming to earth: "bringing salvation to all," and instructing Christians to make moral adjustments to reflect the type of people who await Christ’s return.

• "The grace of God has appeared" indisputably refers to the Christ-event, the incarnation. Irenaeus would love to preach on this passage! The emphasis on educating, training, discipling, was a favorite understanding of Christ’s redemptive work. The teaching here is both negative and positive in its outlook: "refusing" on one hand and "living a godly life" on the other hand.

• NIB-

The Christmas reading looks at the uniqueness of the Christian situation: Why is it that a certain quality of life, love, and service is required of the followers of Jesus Christ?

The even celebrated at Christmas provides the answer: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all" (2:11) . . . the central theological theme of the period of Advent returns as Christians are exhorted to right living because they are living in the in-between-time. The grace of God has appeared in the incarnation. But believers are to live lives marked by that grace as they "wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (v. 13). He has come, and he will come again to judge the way Christians have lived the time between the two comings. But Jesus is not only at the beginning and end of the Christian way of life. Jesus is the one who gave himself unconditionally to free all people from their sin, to offer the possibility of a new people of God who live in the in-between-=time in a way modeled upon his self-gift (Titus 2:14).

 

• One might get the feeling that this writer envisions Christians as being "inbetween people," followers of Christ who, in view of Christ’s return are characterized by tight personal moral boundaries and who own a sober disposition. Just what we all have come to love-more rules to add to our behavior list.

• I think we have one of those "indicative / imperative" structures. In view of God’s unfathomable, all-saving, completely transforming grace shown us in Christ, the expected response is to live godly lives that reflect such redeeming love.

• Beyond that, I wonder if we’re seeing an exceptionally high standard of right living that was viewed even by pagans as exemplary and honorable? Cultures have their own peculiar mores and taboos. So what might have been viewed admirably then may be viewed with disdain now.