Gr. prosdechomai, “to wait for,” “to expect.” Paul adds a second incentive as he appeals to the Cretan church members to live as representatives of Jesus Christ. In addition to living superior lives on earth the Christian is rewarded with the immeasurable gift of eternal life. Consequently, the daily life must be in harmony with the Christian’s professed eagerness for the quick return of Jesus. As Simeon was rewarded for his faithful “waiting” (prosdechomai), when he beheld Jesus (see on Luke 2:25), so a great company of Christians will one day find their greatest joy as they witness the glory of Christ’s second coming.

The hope of Christ’s return has been the grand incentive of the Christian faith for nearly 2,000 years, buoying the believer’s spirit and steeling his courage amid all the vicissitudes of life. The dark moments of discouragement, disillusionment, or sorrow in this life’s experience are gloriously compensated for by the Christian’s hope in the second advent.

 Or, “appearing of the glory.” For epiphaneia, “visible appearance,” see on 1 Tim. 6:14. The phrase “blessed hope” is in apposition with “glorious appearing,” or “appearing of the glory,” that is, the appearing constitutes the blessed hope. The translation “appearance of the glory” suggests the unveiling of Christ’s divine attributes as He returns to this earth as King of kings, surrounded by the glorious splendor of myriads of heavenly angels.

 Compare 2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8. The Greek of this expression is ambiguous, hence uncertainty exists as to whether Paul is speaking of both the Father and the Son or of Christ only. Many commentators prefer to regard the expression as referring to Christ only. No difficulty is encountered when it is so interpreted, for Paul ascribes the prerogatives of the Godhead to Jesus (see on Rom. 1:7; Phil. 2:6; Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 1:1). For a discussion of the deity of Christ see Vol. V, p. 917. Compare 2 Peter 1:1 for a similar Greek construction. Paul’s context is the “appearing” of Christ in the second advent, as Jesus Himself promised (see on John 14:1-3). Because of the two tremendous facts here revealed, that Jesus Christ is God in the fullest sense, and that His return to this world constitutes the grand climax of history, this verse has been an exceptional source of comfort to Christians in every age.