Titus 1:5-16 KJV For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Paul introduces himself as the writer of this letter to Titus
He describes himself first as a slave of Christ defining to Whom he is subjected and how.
He also describes himself as an apostle defining the authority by which he is writing.
God promised eternal life before the world began even as Christ is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.
God has now spoken to us by His Son...the Word made manifest Whom Paul preaches!
God now manifests his promise through preaching of the Word!
The lengthy introduction also helps reinforce the authority of Titus' work among the Cretans.
Titus was a young convert under Paul who was left in charge of a work established in Crete during Paul's visit to the island. Titus was left in charge of the work in Crete after Paul had to move on. Titus is a young minister with a monumental task. It speaks much for the confidence Paul had in Titus’ ability to oversight the work but much more in his integrity as a Christian worker despite his youth. It seems obvious that Paul mentored Titus and it is also equally important to point out that mentoring is an essential task of mature Christians towards the younger. It is the job of the elders to be mentors of the church as it grows, therefore the qualifications and lifestyle of the elders is of vital concern to Paul.
A tainted unconsecrated life will soil and contaminate everything it comes into close contact with.
Titus’ task is to organize, set in order
1. Set things in order the things that are wanting
When Paul left there were a lot of things that still needed attention. Paul had been unable to complete the many things that were needed so Titus’ job was to continue to train and motivate members; to encourage spiritual growth and development of leaders. Quite a task for a young man but it appears that Paul thought he was able to do this. The work encompassed the whole island since he had to appoint elders in every city.
2. Appoint qualified persons as elders or bishops
Positive traits:
Blameless, for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; (living a lifestyle that is above reproach and with a good measure of maturity)
The husband of one wife: (faithful and true to the one woman who is his wife, not roving)
Have faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (YES! Standards ARE expected of leaders kids!)
A lover of hospitality (being ready to help the needy out of Christian love)
A lover of good men (upholding and supporting good men and godly principles)
Sober (sane, sensible and thoughtful through living in the word)
Just(confirming to God’s standards in all dealings with all men in business, personal and private)
Holy,
Temperate(self control through surrender and submission to the Spirit and His Word.)
Negative traits:
Not selfwilled, (wanting to have his own way and becoming negative and subversive when balked)
Not soon angry (a short fuse usually a result of being self willed)
Not given to wine
No striker (anger out of control leads to physical confrontations)
Not given to filthy lucre (Manipulation of the ministry and Word for financial gain)
3. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
In spite of what may come against the minister he must cling firmly and not let go of the Word for it is the Word by which he will be able to shut the mouths of the gainsayers not must by speech but by conformity of actions to the Word of God.
Let us like Paul and Titus become mentors of the young, unlearned and untaught. Let us support those who need it and nurture them in the way of the LORD! May God enable us to be qualified for this great work HE has called us to engage in!
