LOOKING (continuously = one's lifestyle as manifest by his or her choices) FOR: prosdechomenoi (PMPMPN):  (Lk 2:25, 38 Lk 12:35, Mk 15:43, Acts 24:15 , 1Cor 1:7 Php 3:20,21,1Th 1:10, 2Ti 4:8, Heb 9:28,2Pet 3:12,13, 14, Jude 1:21, 1Jn 3:3)

For an excellent Mp3 message on Titus 2:11-15 listen to John Piper - Our Hope: The Appearing of Jesus Christ

Keathley introduces verse 13 commenting that...

Having mentioned this present and temporary age, the apostle quickly moved to the age to come that will be ushered in with the glorious appearing of the Savior. This is to be another strong motivation to godly living, a fact that is even more obvious in the Greek text. “As we wait” represents the translation of another adverbial participle that is dependent on the previous verb, “that we should live.” We could easily translate it,

we should live... by waiting expectantly for the happy fulfillment of our hope (literally, the blessed hope)...

The participle points us to one of the means by which we are to live in this present age, by living with a view to the return of Christ. Waiting for the blessed hope provides added incentives that enable us to live godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-15 Godly Behavior)

Looking for the blessed hope - As someone has well said when it comes to belief in the Lord's return there are two kinds of Christians—gazers and goers. Paul is charging Titus to be a gazing goer, motivated to live in the light of the One Whom he is continually looking for.

Lehman Strauss rightly observes that...

The upward look for the coming again of the Lord Jesus is an effective counteraction for an unbalanced mind.

John Blanchard wrote that...

The certainty of the Second Coming of Christ should touch and tincture every part of our daily behavior.

William Gurnall said that...

Christ hath told us he will come, but not when, that we might never put off our clothes, or put out the candle.

Looking for (4327) (prosdechomai from pros = in compound Greek words implies motion or direction toward + dechomai [word study] = a deliberate and ready reception) means to accept favorably, to receive one into intercourse/companionship, to give access to oneself or receive to oneself. 

To receive one coming from some place and so to welcome with friendliness (Ro 16:2, Phil 2:29).

To wait for with a sense of expectancy (Mark 15:43, Luke 2:25, 38, 12:36, 23:51, Acts 23:21, Titus 2:13, Jude 1:21)

The root verb dechomai means to accept deliberately and readily, receive kindly and so to take to oneself what is presented or brought by another. It means to welcome as a teacher, a friend, or a guest into one's house.  The word describes accepting persons with open arms, minds, and hearts, even going beyond normally expected gracious hospitality. The term was often used of welcoming honored guests and meeting their needs with special attention and kindness.

Prosdechomai is used of things future, in the sense of expecting and with the meaning of accepting. This verb is virtually always is found in the middle voice conveying reflexive action (action directed or turned back on self) which means that one receives to one’s self or gives another access to one’s self.

We need more men like G Campbell Morgan who said...

I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps he may interrupt my work and begin his own. I am not looking for death, I am looking for Him. (Amen!)

Moulton-Milligan have this secular use of prosdechomai...

“I am waiting for the 450 drachma you have given to Radanus.” (Comment: We can probably all identify with this person's anticipation of  being repaid!)

Prosdechomai - 14x in 14v - NAS = accepted(1), accepting(1), cherish(1), looking(3), receive(2), receives(1), waiting(5), waiting anxiously(1).
 

Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

Luke 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Luke 2:38 And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 12:36 "And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

Luke 15:2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

Luke 23:51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

Acts 23:21 "So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you."

Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Romans 16:2 (note) that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

Philippians 2:29 (note) Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;

Titus 2:13 (note) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 10:34 (note) For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.

Hebrews 11:35 (note) Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection;

Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Thayer writes that prosdechomai...

as in Greek writings from Aeschylus and Herodotus down (meant) "to receive to oneself, to admit, to give access to oneself'... to admit one, receive into contact and companionship, Luke 15:2; to receive one (coming from some place), Romans 16:2; Philippians 2:29 (1 Chr. 12:18); to accept (not to reject) a thing offered: To reject, Hebrews 11:35; to admit (accept) hope, i.e., not to repudiate but to entertain, embrace, its substance, Acts 24:15... not to shun, to bear, an impending evil Hebrews 10:34.

(And) from Homer down (prosdechomai meant), to expect (look for, wait for): Luke 12:36;  Mark 15:43; Luke 2:25,38; 23:51 (Acts 23:21); Titus 2:13; Jude 1:21

If we are to be looking for Christ to return at any time, living in light of its imminency, such an "uplook outlook" should be a powerful incentive to spur us on to fight the good fight necessary for godly living and bold witnessing. Note the emphasis is that we are to be looking for the Christ and not for the Antichrist, for a one world government or for any other supernatural sign. Beloved, our Bridegroom's coming is imminent, and no prophetic event is required to precede His sure return (See related topics Imminency; Another discussion on imminency). Maranatha (Our Lord, come! 1Cor 16:22).

Is that my mindset? Do my day to day choices
reflect the reality of an expectant attitude?

Expectant Looking
Is the "Antidote" for
Apathetic Living

Prosdechomai aptly describes the lifestyle and habitual attitude of the godly Jewish man named Simeon (who undoubtedly was a member of the Jewish remnant who had placed his faith in the Messiah):

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; (one of the believing Jewish remnant) and this man was righteous and devout, looking (prosdechomai  present tense) for the consolation of Israel (a synonym for the Redeemer Christ Jesus Who Himself would be the ultimate "consolation" of Israel); and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.". (Luke 2:25,26)

Luke also uses prosdechomai  in his description of godly Anna writing

And there was a prophetess, Anna (one of the believing Jewish remnant) the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for (present tense - the pattern or direction of one's life, this was their lifestyle in this present age ["church age" - the next "age" is the Messianic age = Millennium] which continually motivated them and pointed them toward this glorious future age [cp Jesus' disciples' question in Mt 24:3 noting especially the phrase "the end of the age"]) the redemption of Jerusalem (synonymous with the Redeemer Himself - e.g., see Zech 14:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, esp Zech 14:9!). (Luke 2:36, 37, 38)

Fanny Crosby (who was physically blind but had spiritual eyes of faith) caught the idea of expectant living in this line from Blessed Assurance (play hymn)

Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Mark describes another Jew who was undoubtedly part of the saved Jewish remnant writing that

Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for (prosdechomai  present tense - expectant waiting was his lifestyle which undoubtedly prompted godly living!) the kingdom of God and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43, cp Mt 27:57 Lk 23:50, 51 Jn 19:38)

Comment: Notice how his future focused perspective emboldened his present actions, which is exactly what should happen in every believer's life...to the glory of God!

As mentioned above, prosdechomai was used of receiving to one's self with a welcoming attitude:

And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives (to Himself with a welcoming attitude) sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:2)

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea that you receive (prosdechomai) her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. (Ro 16:1, 2-notes)

Paul, writing to the saints at Philippi concerning his sending them Epaphroditus, his brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who was also their messenger and minister to Paul's need, encouraged the Philippians...

Therefore receive (prosdechomai - conveys the picture of someone who is filled with the Spirit welcoming another person with open arms and heart!) him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard (Php 2:29-note)

Prosdechomai is used in a negative sense in Acts, where we read

So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him (to kill Paul) who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you. (Acts 23:21)

In a positive use Luke records Paul's testimony of...

having a hope (click discussion of Biblical hope) in God, which these men cherish (prosdechomai present tense) themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. (Acts 24:15)

The writer of Hebrews explains that those having a sure future with God can even "welcome" present affliction encouraging his readers

For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted (prosdechomai) joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. (10:34-note)

Comment: Notice how their "firm grip" on their future possession, prompted a "loose grip" on the temporal possessions of this present age which is passing away and along with its lusts).

Jude also associates this expectant attitude with living for God writing

keep (aorist imperative - command to guard, practice watchful care of) yourselves (take care of your business, not everyone else's! And do so by means of the two things just mentioned in context, building themselves up in their Christian lives and by praying in the Holy Spirit) in (in the sphere of His love - see to it that they stay within "the circle" of His love) the love of God, waiting anxiously (prosdechomai  present tense - this was to be their continual mindset) for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life (which Wuest feels seems to point to that part of eternal life which will be given the saint at the Rapture = glorification)." (Jude 1:21)

Jesus used this verb in His exhortation to His disciples live life with an expectant attitude and to...

be like men who are waiting (prosdechomai  present tense) for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. (Luke 12:36)

Prosdechomai is used 46 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Ge 32:20; Ex 10:17; 22:11; 36:3; Lev. 26:43; Ruth 1:13; 1 Chr. 12:18; 2 Chr. 36:21; Esther 9:23, 27; Job 2:9; 29:23; 33:20; Ps. 6:9; 55:8; 104:11; Prov. 15:15; Isa. 28:10; 42:1; 45:4; 55:12; Ezek. 20:40f; 32:10; 43:27; Dan. 7:25; Hos. 8:13; Amos 5:22; Mic. 6:7; Mal. 1:8, 10, 13) with meanings generally similar to the NT uses.

Here is one use from Psalms...

The LORD has heard my supplication. The LORD receives (prosdechomai) - He welcomes it! In a sense He even looks expectantly for it!) (Psalm 6:9)  (Spurgeon says "Here is past experience used for future encouragement." See Spurgeon's complete note)

John explains that looking for Christ's appearing will affect your daily choices, writing...

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.  everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself (motivated by love not fear...perfect love casts out all fear...perfect love would connote "perfect" as far as humanly possible, obedience.) just as He is pure." (1John 3:1-note, 1John 3:2-note, 1John 3:3-note)

I AM
COMING
QUICKLY

In a similar vein,  Jesus' promise in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible should be words believers frequently ponder (Suggestion: Recall this verse to mind every morning when you present yourself to Him as a living and holy sacrifice - Ro 12:1-note) so that motivated by this truth we would continually, expectantly look for Him and continually live for Him (1Cor 6:20)...

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:12-note)

J. C. Ryle correctly concludes that the...

Uncertainty about the date of the Lord's return is calculated to keep believers in an attitude of constant expectation and to preserve them from despondency.

Spurgeon adds that...

The fact that Jesus Christ is to come again is not a reason for star-gazing, but for working in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Looking at Titus 2:11-13 from another perspective, it is interesting to see how Paul uses this short but powerful section of Scripture to summarize the truth inherent in the Three Tenses of Salvation:
 

In short, God’s grace redeems us (cp justifies us), reforms us (cp sanctifies us) and rewards us (cp glorifies us)! Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that has saved, is saving and will save a wretch like me! (cp Ro 7:24, 25-note)

Reuben A. Torrey wrote that...

The imminent return of our Lord is the great Bible argument for a pure, unselfish, devoted, unworldly, active life of service.

Spurgeon writes that...

One work of the grace of God is to cause us to be “looking for that blessed hope of the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

What is that “blessed hope?” Why, first, that when He comes we shall rise from the dead, if we have fallen asleep; and that, if we are alive and remain, we shall be changed at His appearing. (1Th 4:13, 14, 115, 16, 17, 18-see notes beginning 1Th 4:13)

Our hope is that we shall be approved of Him and shall hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mt 25:21, 23, Lk 19:17) This hope is not of debt, but of grace: though our Lord will give us a reward, it will not be according to the law of works.

We expect to be like Jesus when we shall see him as he is. When Jesus shines forth as the sun, “then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father.”

Our gain by godliness cannot be counted down into the palm of our hand. It lies in the glorious future (1Ti 4:8-note); and yet to faith it is so near that at this moment I almost hear the chariot of the Coming One. The Lord cometh, and in the coming of the Lord lies the great hope of the believer, his great stimulus to overcome evil, his incentive to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. Oh to be found blameless in the day of the manifestation of our Lord! God grant us this! Do you not see, brethren, how the discipline of the doctrine of grace runs towards the separating of us from sin, and the making us to live unto God? (From Spurgeon's sermon Two Appearings & the Discipline of Grace)

Billy Graham was right when he said that...

The subject of the second coming of Christ has never been popular to any but the true believer.

><>><>><>

After World War II there was a sign on the shore of New York harbor facing all incoming troop ships, which read:

WELCOME HOME.
WELL DONE.

When the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the air, He is going to “WELCOME HOME” every saint, for at that time He shall come to take us home to heaven. Our entrance into heaven is solely on the basis of our faith in His shed blood and death on the cross, and every believer shall receive the same “WELCOME HOME.” But, how many of us will receive His “WELL DONE,” and the “crown of righteousness”? (2Ti 4:8-note, Mt 25:21, 23, Lk 19:17)

THE BLESSED HOPE: ten makarian elpida: (Titus 1:2; 3:7; Acts 24:15; Ro 5:5; 8:24,25; 15:13; Col 1:5,23,27; 2Th 2:16; He 6:18,19; 1Pe 1:3; 1Jn 3:3)  

Related Resource: See in depth study of Our Blessed Hope

Paul had earlier alluded to one aspect of the believer's hope writing that we are to live godly...

in (in the sphere of, circle of or atmosphere of) the hope (not a "hope I make it" mentality but absolute assurance that God will do good to me in the future) of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago (Titus 1:2-note)

He reiterates this truth in Titus 3 explaining that by grace through faith, believers are now...

justified by His grace (and) we might be made heirs according to the hope (absolute certainty) of eternal life. (Titus 3:7-note)

Blessed (3107) (makarios) (Click study of makarios) means spiritually “prosperous”, fully satisfied independent of the circumstances because of the amazing enabling grace in which we stand and the supernatural ministry of the indwelling  Holy Spirit (Mt 5:6-note). The sure hope we have of the return of our Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, to catch up (and out of this present evil age) His Bride, the Church (see Rapture), is one that is prosperous, filled with richness and one that stabilizes our souls in this present world in which we live as aliens and strangers (we're just "passing through").

Makarios - 50 times in the NT - Matt. 5:3, 4, 5; 11:6; 13:16; 16:17; 24:46; Lk. 1:45; 6:20ff; 7:23; 10:23; 11:27f; 12:37f, 43; 14:14f; 23:29; Jn. 13:17; 20:29; Acts 20:35; 26:2; Rom. 4:7f; 14:22; 1 Co. 7:40; 1 Tim. 1:11; 6:15; Titus 2:13; Jas. 1:12, 25; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:14; Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14

The second coming of Christ, including the first phrase or stage of that coming, the resurrection of those who died in Christ and the catching up (Rapture) (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) of those believers still living when He comes, is the "blessed hope" of the Christian. The forgiveness of sins coupled with living a godly life eliminates all dread over the return of Christ and transforms the prospect into a blessed hope.

It is important to note that the KJV translates “blessed hope” and “appearing of the glory” as if they were two different entities, whereas the Greek construction requires that they be construed as one.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (KJV)

Granville Sharp’s rule says that when there are two nouns in the same case connected by and (kai), the first noun has the definite article (the = Greek word ten), and the second noun lacks the definite article, then the second noun refers to the same thing as the first noun and serves as a further description. Thus, the blessed hope is the appearing of the glory of our Lord.

Hope (1680) (elpis) (Click for in depth definition of elpis) is expectation or confidence and in the New Testament describes the believer's absolute certainty of future good. Hope is full assurance ("the full assurance of hope" Hebrews 6:11) and ultimately is found in the Person of Christ for as Paul wrote to Timothy "Christ Jesus (is) our hope" (1Timothy 1:1)

Elpis - 53 times in the NT - Acts 2:26; 16:19; 23:6; 24:15; 26:6f; 27:20; 28:20; Rom. 4:18; 5:2, 4f; 8:20, 24; 12:12; 15:4, 13; 1 Co. 9:10; 13:13; 2 Co. 1:7; 3:12; 10:15; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 1:18; 2:12; 4:4; Phil. 1:20; Col. 1:5, 23, 27; 1 Thess. 1:3; 2:19; 4:13; 5:8; 2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 18; 7:19; 10:23; 1 Pet. 1:3, 21; 3:15; 1 Jn. 3:3
 

W. H. G. Thomas eloquently described the interrelationship of the great Christian triumphurate of faith, hope and love...

Faith rests on the past, love works in the present, and hope presses toward the future; or, faith looks backward and upward, love looks outward, and hope looks forward. These three constitute the true, complete Christian life and not one of them should be omitted or slighted.

We are only too apt to emphasize faith and love and forget hope but, inasmuch as hope is invariably connected with the coming of the Lord, that blessed hope (Titus 2:13), it is a vital part of our Christian life.

Faith accepts, hope expects; faith appropriates, hope anticipates; faith receives, hope realizes; faith is always and only concerned with the past and present, hope is always and only concerned with the future. We know that faith comes by hearing; we shall find that hope comes by experience. Faith is concerned with a person who promises, hope with the thing promised; and faith is the root of which hope is a fruit.

Zabriskie has an interesting thought writing that...

perhaps the reason why so few today look with favor upon the Blessed Hope is that perhaps they have rebelled at God’s lessons in grace and have reversed the determination of Moses: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (He 11:25-note). Although ...God will not allow a child of His to sin lawlessly, yet often, after continual rebellion against His will, He will let the child have his own way for a season to prove to Him that God’s way is best. This action on God’s part may be seen in the case of the children of Israel. On one occasion, after they had rebelled continuously against God’s will for them, He sent to them the desires of their hearts but sent leanness to their souls. (KJV of Ps 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.- Spurgeon's note) What a pathetic picture and yet how adequately this describes the spiritual lives of many Christians. (The Discipline of Grace, Bibliotheca Sacra 93:370. April, 1936. Page 178)

AND THE APPEARING OF THE GLORY: kai epiphaneian tes doxes: (Job 19:25, 26, 27; Isa 25:9; Mt 16:27; 25:31; 26:64; Mk 8:38; 14:62; 1Ti 6:13,14; He 9:28; 2Co 4:4,6; Col 3:4; 1Pe 1:7; 1Jn 3:2; Rev1:7)

Chrysostom rightly said that...

In the first advent God veiled his divinity to prove the faithful; in the second advent he will manifest his glory to reward their faith.

Appearing (2015) (epiphaneia [word study] from the verb epiphaino [word study] [used in Titus 2:11, 3:4 click word study on epiphaino] in turn from epí = over, upon or to + phaíno = to shine) is literally "a shining upon" and from its secular used conveys the thought of an event which is sudden and unexpected. Secular Greek writings used this word group to describe the appearance of pagan "gods" but in this verse Paul is saying there is a glorious second coming of of the one living and true God, Jesus Christ.

Epiphaneia - 6 times in the NT - 2Th. 2:8; 1Ti 6:14; 2Ti 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13. Three of the uses are in Paul's very last letter! The appearing of His Lord was ever on his mind right up to the very end of his life (2Ti 4:6-note)

Epiphaneia is a solely used by Paul, first to describe the counterfeit appearance of the Antichrist ("the cursed hope", "the false hope") Paul informing the Thessalonian saints that the

lawless one (the Antichrist) will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming. (2Th 2:8).

The following uses refer to the coming of the Christ, Paul charging Timothy to

keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Ti 6:14)

Again Paul draws on the truth of the second coming of Christ to impress Timothy writing

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom. (2Ti 4:1-note)

Again Paul appeals not just to Timothy but to all believers reminding us that

in the future there is laid up for me (Paul) the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2Ti 4:8-note)

Finally Paul used epiphaneia in reference to the incarnation writing that God's purpose and grace have 

been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2Ti 1:!0-note)

Looking for the return of our Lord Jesus brings great joy and hope to our hearts. It also leads to a numbering of our days to that we might present to Him a heart of wisdom as illustrated by the following story:

A tourist who visited an exquisite garden on a lovely estate in Italy spoke to the caretaker:

“How long have you been here?” he asked.

“Twenty-five years.”

“And how often has the owner been to see the estate?”

“Four times.”

“When did he come last?”

“Twelve years ago.”

“Who comes then to look after things?”

“I am left pretty much alone.”

“Yet you keep the garden so spic-and-span that one would think you were expecting the owner tomorrow.”

“Today, sir, today! replied the caretaker. ”Perhaps today!"

OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS: tou megalou theou kai soteros hemon iesou christou: (Titus 3:4,6; 2Peter 3:18; 1John 4:14)

The same rule as discussed above under "Blessed hope" applies to the phrase: “our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Both expressions refer to the same individual. The deity of the Lord Jesus is brought out here by a rule of Greek syntax. Note that I have greatly simplified this discussion and you will find more technical comments and some alternative suggestions as to the interpretation in many of the commentaries. For a lucid, succinct explanation of the technical nuances on this passage I would recommend Hampton Keathley's discussion Titus 2:11-15 Godly Behavior.

The pronoun "our" in this context is polemic, polemic being an adjective which describes an argument or controversy, especially over a doctrine, belief, etc. Here Paul presents the One Who is to be the believer's true God and Savior a truth which direct  countered the prevalent secular belief in the Roman Empire. In other words, in Paul's day, the god and savior of the Roman empire was considered to be the Emperor himself, who was looked upon as a god and savior of the world in that he by his government brought peace and prosperity to the people. He was actually  worshipped as a god as part of the state religion of the Roman Empire (so called Emperor Worship). And so with this short but pithy phrase Paul offers a subtle protest against emperor worship.

Our great God and Savior - The meaning of the one article (with theou and soteros) identifies our Savior as Divine. (See discussion of a similar phrase "God and Savior Jesus Christ" in 2Pe 1:1-see note)

Savior (4990)(soter from sozo = rescue from peril > from saos = safe; delivered) refers to the agent of salvation or deliverance, the one who rescues, delivers, saves and preserves. Anyone who saves or delivers can be called a deliverer or rescuer (a soter). Greeks used soter as a title of divinities such as Asclepius, the god of healing. Soter was used by the mystery religions to refer to their divinities. At an early date soter was used as a title of honor for deserving men, e.g., Epicurus (300BC) was called "soter" by his followers. As discussed below, soter was used as a designation of the "deified" ruler, e.g., Ptolemy I Soter (323-285BC).

Soter - 24 times in the NT - Lk. 1:47; 2:11; Jn. 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Eph. 5:23; Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; 2 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 1:3f; 2:10, 13; 3:4, 6; 2 Pet. 1:1, 11; 2:20; 3:2, 18; 1 Jn. 4:14; Jude 1:25

Soter was used of God as the source of salvation - the Deliverer, the Preserver, the Protector, the Healer, the One Who rescues man from danger or peril and unto a state of prosperity and happiness. Soter was used of Jesus Christ as the agent sent by God to bring deliverance to sinful mankind.

Titus 2:11-14 tells the story of two appearings of Christ.

The first appearing is past and is associated with grace and the second appearing is future and is associated with glory. The first appearance was the commencement of that salvation; the second appearing will be its consummation. The first appearing saved man from the penalty of sin, while the second appearing will save him from the presence and possibility of sin.

The potential for the abundant, victorious Christian life lies between Christ's two appearings. And for this meantime living God provides His grace as our "teacher" (Titus 2:11, 12-see notes Titus 2:11; 12) and His indwelling Spirit to impart His purifying influence. When the believing sinner accepts the work of divine grace which sent Christ to Calvary to procure the sinner's redemption, he enrolls in the school of grace. Grace is now our teacher who trains, educates, and instructs us in this supernatural endeavor called the Christian life.

Are you submitting from the heart to your "teacher" name "Grace" and allowing the Spirit to grow you "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"? (2Pe 3:14, 15, 16, 17, 18-see notes 2Pe 3:14; 15; 16; 17; 18)

WHAT IS THE
BLESSED HOPE?

What eschatological (future end time) event is Paul referring to in this section of Titus? In general terms, he is describing the Second Coming of Christ, which many if not most evangelical scholars interpret as a two stage coming, Christ coming first to catch up His church prior to the Tribulation and then coming back to earth to put an end to the Great Tribulation by defeating His enemies  and then establishing His millennial kingdom on earth. Both of these glorious events are certainly the believer's blessed hope and both aspects of the Second Coming should motivate every believer to discipline themselves for godliness in this present evil age. It is interesting that this term "Second Coming" in commentaries can sometimes be confusing if no qualifying statement is given. For a discussion of the distinguishing aspects of the first and second stages of Christ's Second Coming see the topic The Second Coming of Christ. (See also Comparison of the Rapture vs the Second Coming)

Below are a number of comments on Titus 2:13 which demonstrate how it might be possible to become confused as to what "event" Paul is referring to by the phrase the blessed hope (Note that there is some duplication of material found in the topic The Second Coming of Christ.)

><> ><> ><>

Alexander Maclaren on Titus 2:13 - We have here for our consideration three points embodied in these words. The grace of God has appeared, the glory of God is to appear; the appearance of the glory is a blessed hope; the disciplining of the grace prepares us for the expectation of the glory.

I. First, then, take that thought, The appearance of the grace leads to the appearance of the glory. The identity of the form of expression in the two clauses is intended to suggest the likeness of and the connection between the two appearances. In both there is a visible manifestation of God, and the latter rests upon the former and completes and crowns it. But the difference between the two is as strongly marked as the analogy; and it is not difficult to grasp distinctly the differences which the Apostle intends. While both are manifestations of the Divine character in exercise, the specific phase (so to speak) of that character which appears is in one case "grace," and in the other "glory." If one might venture on any illustration in regard to such a subject, it is as when the pure white light is sent through glass of different colours, and at one moment beams mild through refreshing green, and in the next flames in fiery red that warns of danger.

II. The second thought which is involved in these words is that the appearing of the glory is a blessed hope. The hope is blessed; or, as we have already remarked, the word "happy" may, perhaps, be substituted with advantage because it will be full of blessedness when it is a reality, therefore it is full of joy while it is but a hope.

III. Finally one word about the last consideration here, viz., the grace disciplines us to hope for the glory. The very idea of discipline involves the notion that it is a preparatory stage, a transient process for a permanent result. It carries with it the idea of immaturity, of apprenticeship, so to speak. If it is discipline, it is discipline for some condition which is not yet reached. And so if the grace of God comes "disciplining" then there must be something beyond the epoch and era within which the discipline is confined. Yield to the discipline and the hope will be strengthened.

><> ><> ><>

A G Brown - The Return of our Lord.

I. Note first the hope mentioned in our text.

It is the manifestation of Christ in glory. It is the pre-eminent hope of Scripture. Just as, during the old dispensation, the coming of our Lord in the flesh was the hope of the faithful, so in the new dispensation, the coming again of the Lord occupies the same position from the time of Adam, and especially from the days of Abraham, right down to the incarnation of our Lord, what was the action of the faithful? Waiting and looking for the fulfilment of the promise.

Over and over again, we find the Messiah spoken of as the Hope of Israel, and all the faithful were waiting for the redemption. As the days predicted by Daniel drew on, there came a general feeling abroad that the time was coming near when the hope of Israel should appear; and at last it was consummated when old Simeon took the infant Christ in his arms and said,

"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation."

The coming of Christ in the flesh was the consummation of the hope of the old dispensation. The first dispensation waited for a Christ who should bring redemption for the soul; we wait for a Christ who shall bring redemption for the body (see note Romans 8:23). Notice one or two particulars of the hope. What is included?

(1) The hope of seeing Him. Where real love is, there is a desire to see the face of the loved one.

(2) We shall see Him in His beauty. The gabardine of Nazareth effectually hid the glory of Deity from the eyes of men, for the eyes of the people were blind with prejudice; but when He comes the second time there will be glory in His person.

II. This hope is a blessed one.

The Lord Jesus is the Hope and we know that He is blessed. It is a blessed hope (1) because of its influence and (2) because of its surroundings. It is blessed because of the blessings that come with it. (3) It is blessed to those of us who have precious dust sleeping in the sepulchre. (4) It is most blessed because it is the consummation of Christ's glory. His glory is not complete until that day. He is waiting until His enemies are made His footstool (see note Hebrews 1:13). Where Christ is surrounded with glorified bodies as well as with glorified spirits, there will His glory be complete.

III. What is the looking for this blessed hope?

It is the attitude of the believer, the quiet expectancy of his heart towards this appearing. "Of that day and that hour knoweth no man—no, not the angels of God." But it is possible for God's children, and it is incumbent upon them to be on the lookout for the signs of His coming. And what are to be the signs of the last days? A general profession of godliness without any power. We have only to read the Second Epistle to Timothy, to find almost the photograph of the present days. Let us seek to combine the watching and the doing—never to get into a mere visionary gazing-up into heaven and doing nothing for God; and on the other hand, never to be a hard, practical, machine-like Christian, knowing nothing of fellowship with the risen, and the living, and the returning Christ. Blessed are they who watch and work. Blessed are they who watch as they work. (A. G. Brown, Penny Pulpit)

><> ><> ><>

Is Your Vision Hampered by the Fog? - In 1952 there was a young girl named Florence Chadwick who stepped into the waters of the Pacific Ocean off Catalina Island determined to swim from it to the shore of the state of California. She had already been the first woman to swim the English Channel both ways, and on that day she decided to swim from California to that Catalina Island the weather was very foggy, it was freezing cold, she could hardly see even the boats that were around her accompanying her on that journey. She swam and she swam and she swam for 15 hours, and eventually she had had enough, she couldn't take it any more and she begged to be taken out of the water along the way. Her mother was in the boat right beside her, and she said: 'Mother, get me out!', and her mother told her that she was very, very close to the shore, and that she could make it if she just kept going. Finally she was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, and she stopped swimming, and she had to be winched out of the water. It wasn't until she got onto that boat that she discovered that the shore was less than half a mile away. At the news conference the next day, this is what she said:

'All I could see was the fog, I think if I could have seen the shore I would have made it'.

Beloved, His return is imminent and you will see His glory unhindered. But now we are to be looking for the appearing of His glory through His Word of Truth. Are you looking for Him? Are you living for Him? A glimpse of Him in His Word will get you through the fog and will carry you home to the shores of heaven. Remember, beloved,  that just one glimpse of Him in Glory will repay and banish all the afflictions, the toils and the sorrows of this life. So let the Sun of Righteousness arise today with healing in His wings. Fix your eyes on Jesus (see Fix Your Eyes On Jesus - 44 excellent meditations) so that you might be motivated and enabled to run with endurance the race that is set before you. Keep setting your mind on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of His Father.

><> ><> ><>

Are You Looking Up? - Are you so eager for Christ's return that you hope it will take place today? I wouldn't be honest if I answered an unqualified yes to this question. You see, I'm enjoying life right now. I love what I'm doing. My wife and I are having fun watching our grandsons grow toward manhood. There are still people and places we would like to visit during our retirement years.

Does this mean that I'm not "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing" of Jesus Christ? (Ti. 2:13). No, it doesn't. I believe that His return is indeed "the blessed hope." Earthly pleasures are only temporary and cannot compare with the joys of heaven. Besides, I am troubled by the sin, sorrow, and suffering all around me.

All Christians are thankful for Jesus' promise, "I will come again and receive you to Myself" (Jn. 14:3). But our own circumstances affect how eagerly we anticipate His return. Whether life for us today is a joy or a struggle, we are to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts" and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly" (Ti. 2:12).

God wants us to enjoy life. But He also wants us to live each day as if it may be the one in which He will return. Are you looking up? — Herbert Vander Lugt (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Take the world but give me Jesus--
In His cross my trust shall be;
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see. --Crosby

Enjoy life, but anticipate heaven

><> ><> ><>

It's Late! - A young boy was playing in his grandmother's house near a large grandfather clock. Noontime was approaching, and when both hands of the old timepiece reached 12, the chimes began to ring.

As he always liked to do, the boy counted each gong as it sounded. This time, however, something went wrong with the clock's inner mechanism. Instead of stopping at 12, it kept right on chiming--13, 14, 15, 16 times.

The boy couldn't believe his ears! He jumped to his feet and ran into the kitchen, shouting, "Grandma! Grandma! It's later than it's ever been before!" In his excitement, the youngster expressed a truth we all would do well to consider.

It is later than it's ever been before--in the history of the world, in the days allotted to man, and on God's calendar of events. With each passing hour, the words of James 5:8 take on added significance: "The coming of the Lord is at hand."

This fact is both comforting and sobering. It is reassuring to know that the day our Savior will come for us may be near. But at the same time, we must honestly ask ourselves, "Am I living in a way that will bring His commendation?" Think about it!

Remember, "It's later than it's ever been before!" — Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

May I live so that I will be ready
With joy my Savior to meet,
And feel no alarm at His coming
But hasten His heralds to greet. --Anon.

Be ready for the last moment
by being ready at every moment.

><> ><> ><>

Hope For The World- PEACE TALKS FALL APART AGAIN. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES. TORNADO RIPS THROUGH TOWN.

These newspaper headlines selected at random tend to lead us to despair. There just doesn't seem to be any hope for this world. And yet, according to the Scriptures, the dream of abolishing war is not merely wishful thinking. The idea of prosperity for all is more than a political gimmick. The Bible tells us that the eventual taming of nature is a certainty.

The hope for this world, however, is not to be found in human efforts but in the return of Jesus Christ. He alone can solve the problems that are baffling mankind.

The prophet Isaiah said that someday "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4). This glorious prospect will become a reality when the Lord Jesus Himself returns as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1Timothy 6:15) to set up His kingdom of peace and righteousness. We are to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Because we have this hope, we can be optimistic even in the deepening gloom of this age. Keep looking up! —Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

The only hope for world peace is
the coming of the Prince of Peace.

><> ><> ><>

Alpha And Omega - The meaning of the words Alpha and Omega —terms that refer to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—is fairly easy to understand. Like A and Z, they simply mean "the beginning" and "the end."

In life, we understand these concepts. Things begin . . . things end. Jobs start . . . jobs stop. Decades come . . . decades go. Birth . . . death.

But there is something special and unique about the words Alpha and Omega as they appear in Revelation (Re 1:8-note;Re 1:11-note; Re 21:6-note; Re 22:13-note). Jesus Christ used those terms to describe Himself—terms that refer to His deity.

When used in Scripture, the words have an almost unfathomable meaning. Jesus, the Alpha, had no beginning. He existed before time, before the creation of the universe (John 1:1). As the first cause of all that exists (vv.2-3), Jesus cannot be limited by the word Alpha. And as the Omega, He is not the "end" as we know it. He will continue to exist into the everlasting, never-ending future.

It's mind-boggling and awe-inspiring—this view of our Lord. He's the one "who is and who was and who is to come" (Re 1:8-note). He's the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty God. Not only that, He's our Savior (Titus 2:13). As such, He deserves our praise, our lives, our all! — Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Alpha, Omega—our God we proclaim,
Eternal, unchanging, always the same;
He's the beginning and He is the end,
He is our Savior, our Lord, and our Friend. —Fitzhugh

For time and for eternity, Jesus is all we need.

><> ><> ><>

Waiting - Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. --Php 3:20-note

In the 1940s, Samuel Beckett wrote a play called Waiting for Godot, which is now regarded as a classic. Two men stand on an empty stage, hands in their pockets, staring at each other. All they do is stand and stare. There is no action, no plot, they just stand there waiting for Godot to come.

But who is Godot? Is he a person? Does he represent God? Christian ethicist Lewis Smedes suggests, Godot "stands for the pipe dreams that a lot of people hang on to as an escape." As the play ends, those men are still standing on the stage doing nothing, just waiting.

When the 50th anniversary of that play was celebrated, someone asked Beckett, "Now will you tell us who Godot is?" He answered, "How should I know?"

Waiting for Godot is a parable of many people's lives--empty and meaningless, a pointless matter of waiting. And if there's no God of love, grace, and wisdom, then life really is a hopeless waiting for empty time to pass.

How totally different, though, is Christian hope! We're waiting and "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). That hope sustains us--a hope that beyond this world lies a life of indescribable blessing. —Vernon C Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)