Titus - Chapter 1
THEME: THE CHURCH IS AN ORGANIZATION
1:1
Paul begins his second pastoral epistle (after Timothy) with an introduction of himself. He begins with the highest priority possible by saying he is a servant of God. He is next an apostle of Jesus Christ and this is according to the faith of those who have been chosen of God, and then by the understanding of the truth (meaning the gospel) which follows godliness.
We notice Paul does not say for the faith but rather says according to the faith. He is appealing to the faith of those who are saved and in this moment is not necessarily discussing the actual doctrine of election. He makes his understanding of the doctrine strongly clear in Romans 9:11:
(“For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil,
that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.”)
1:2-3
Next Paul reminds Titus that he is making these statements in the hope of eternal life which God (who cannot lie) promised before the world began. The symbol of that understanding is found in the Revelation when Jesus appears to John as lamb slain before the foundation of the world. This promise is manifested by preaching of the gospel which has been given to Paul by God. The phrase “due time” means God has proclaimed the time of the arrival of His begotten Son who brought the gospel to earth from heaven.
1:4
Paul advises the direction of this reminder as it is clearly meant to be targeted to Titus, his own from the grace, mercy, and peace from both the Father and the Son.
1:5-9
In these verses Paul will reconfirm to Titus the need for an orderly church, organized with elders making the order of the church sure. Paul reminds Titus that each church in each city in Crete has the identical need for such elders. Just as in Paul’s instructions to Timothy, he repeats the essential qualifications needed for an elder to serve in the church:
husband of one wife
having faithful children
children not unruly
blameless (not having accusations)
a steward of God
not self willed
not soon to anger
not given to wine
not a fighting man
not enamored of money
a lover of hospitality
a lover of good men
sober (serious)
just (even minded)
holy (understanding he is set apart)
temperate (level minded)
holding fast to the Word
able to exhort and convince
Such qualifications must be the basis of those chosen to lead a church in an orderly fashion and by meeting these attributes, success is more likely for the man and for the church itself. Paul is strongly particular in providing these ideas and these have well served the church for almost 2,000 years and are still considered important even today.
1:10-12
Now Paul will switch gears verbally from speaking of the good nature of elders chosen to help guide the church to express his disfavor of men in Crete generally. Paul is specific as to the behaviors he has observed of men on the island and takes great pains to pass his opinions onward to Titus. He says they are:
unruly
vain talkers
deceivers (especially the Jews)
subverters of whole houses
teaching things untrue to gain money
liars
evil beasts
slow bellies (lazy gluttons)
1:13-16
Paul confirms his witness on these men is true and they must be rebuked sharply if they can become sound in the faith. They must not remain believing in fables or commands of men that turn others away from the truth of the gospel. Nothing among them is pure because they are defiled and unbelieving and even their minds are defiles. They say they know God but deny Him by their works, which are abominable and disobedient to God. They express faith but their lives do not reflect or confirm what their mouths say.
Titus clearly has his work before him to find men who meet the good qualifications needed from this group Paul says are defiled and liars.
