INTRODUCTION
We know very little of Titus. Though never mentioned in the Acts, he seems to have been one of the most trusted and best beloved members of the noble little band of Paul’s friends and disciples. As he was a Greek by birth, Paul took him to Jerusalem on that memorable visit referred to in Gal_2:3. The bond between them was very close, Tit_1:4. Titus was sent three times to Corinth on special embassies, during the troubles of that distracted church, 2Co_7:1-16; 2Co_8:1-24. The last mention of him is in connection with the visit to Dalmatia, during Paul’s second imprisonment, 2Ti_4:10.
This Epistle guides Titus in the right ordering of the churches in Crete, which may have owed their foundation to the Cretan Jews, who are mentioned as having heard Peter’s pentecostal sermon. Paul had evidently visited the island himself, but had been obliged to leave the consolidation of the work with his friend, Tit_1:5. The Epistle was warmly admired by Luther, who says: “This is a short Epistle, but it contains such a quintessence of Christian doctrine, and is composed in such a masterly manner, that it contains all that is needful for Christian knowledge and life.”
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO TITUS
SALUTATION
The Character of a Bishop
1. Why had Paul left Titus in Crete?
GREETING
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s chosen ones and [to lead and encourage them to recognize and pursue] the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness,
based on the hope and divine guarantee of eternal life, [the life] which God, who is ever truthful and without deceit, promised before the ages of time began,
and at the appointed time has made known His word and revealed it as His message, through preaching, which was entrusted to me according to the command of God our Savior–
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS
For this reason I left you behind in Crete, so that you would set right what remains unfinished, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
namely, a man of unquestionable integrity, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of being immoral or rebellious.
For the overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain [but financially ethical].
And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good, sensible (upright), fair, devout, self-disciplined [above reproach–whether in public or in private].
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word [of God] as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine and to refute those who contradict [it by explaining their error].
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
on
Titus 1:1-9
APPOINT FIT MEN OVER THE CHURCHES
God’s elect are known by their faith, and wherever they hear the voice of truth, which makes for godliness, they recognize and acknowledge it. They are also inspired by a great hope, and that hope cannot be disappointed, because it is founded on the promise and oath of the God who cannot lie, Heb_6:19. God’s promise for us has been in His heart from all eternity, but it was hidden until the gospel was proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit. The germ-thought of eternity has been realized in Jesus and is unfolded in the gospel. Note the frequent recurrence in this Epistle of the phrase, God our Savior.
The ordering of these early churches was very important. The presiding officers must be godly and consistent men, and able to commend the gospel by their lives. These natural traits of a holy man should be pondered and appropriated by us all; and we must all hold fast to the Word of God, which has been found trustworthy by countless myriads. Many are the seducing voices in the present day that counsel slackening faith and relaxing grasp.
“If all the wiles that men devise beset our faith with treacherous art,
We’ll call them vanity and lies, and bind the gospel to our heart.
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