1.1-16

Titus

The three chapters of Titus would have been written shortly before Paul wrote 2nd Timothy. Titus, like Timothy, was entrusted to lead churches where Paul had originally taught and established correct doctrinal foundations. Timothy was in Ephesus, and Titus was the overseer of many churches on the island of Crete. The island is approximately 160 miles long and varies from 7 to 35 miles in width. Beyond guiding Titus, these instructions would also have benefited the elders Titus was to appoint (v.5), as he certainly needed help in serving so many congregants spread over such a large area. This letter not only encouraged Titus but also established his continued apostolically delegated authority, especially as the Cretan churches had attracted "many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision" (v.10). IN the three sections of this chapter you will read Paul's greeting of grace and commitment of a faithful leader (vv.1-4), the family qualifications of the elder/pastor (vv5-6), the general character qualifications of the elder/pastor (vv.7-9), and of men who must be silenced (vv.10-16). Note in verse 13, the direction is "reprove them severely," which is quite clear about the importance of dealing with this spiritual danger; but it is just as clear that this is to be remedial, as the purpose is "that they may be sound in the faith." This is consistent with Paul's message to the church in Galatia, but here he directs Titus to deal more severely with those causing dissent in the church. "Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." (Gal. 6:1)

CHAPTER 1

Greetings and Grace

1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and the full knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
2 in the hope of eternal life, which the God who cannot lie promised from all eternity,
3 but at the proper time manifested His word in preaching, with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
4 To Titus, my genuine child according to our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications of Elders

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
6 namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, who are not accused of dissipation, or rebellious.
7 For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of dishonest gain,
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to reprove those who contradict.
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain.
12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.