The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistle (Letter) to his "true son", Titus. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments in the comments below. We welcome your thoughts and prayers
Introduction
The letters to Timothy, which we've studied over the past three months, and the one to Titus, which
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| Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, 17th-century painting |
In this letter Titus, together with all the Church, is charged to keep "the faith." The outworking of this charge is not only maintaining the faith through good works and right conduct but also resisting that which is false.
Paul had left Timothy in charge in Ephesus and Titus in Crete, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. What we know of the church on Crete comes from this letter. Paul was on the island, for a short time, as a prisoner, on the way to Rome.
Acts 27:7-8 (HCSB)7 Sailing slowly for many days, we came with difficulty as far as Cnidus. Since the wind did not allow us to approach it, we sailed along the south side of Crete off Salmone.8 With yet more difficulty we sailed along the coast and came to a place called Fair Havens near the city of Lasea.
There is no evidence that he started the church on this brief visit, because he was being taken to Rome to prison for the first time. If Paul was personally involved in starting the church on Crete, he probably did it after his release from his first Roman imprisonment. There is some thought that other of Paul’s coworkers carried out the work at Paul's direction, and the church may have been established on the island prior to his imprisonment. In either case, the task assigned to Titus was to complete and put in order what was unfinished
Titus 1:5 (HCSB) The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
This suggests a church (probably house churches ) considerably younger and less organized than the church in Ephesus where Paul left Timothy in charge.
The more immediate need for the first letter to Timothy and the one to Titus was that many things at Ephesus and Crete needed adjustment. In advising his "sons" he also advised others including us today.
Remember in 1 Timothy Paul tells Timothy how to select leaders, how the church should treat certain members of the church like widows, family members, elders, how to deal with false teachers and teaching. He addresses some of these same things in the letter to Titus for the church(s) on Crete.
What we know about Titus
Titus was a Gentile Christian
Galatians 2:1-4 (HCSB)1 Then after 14 years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.2 I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles—but privately to those recognized ⌊as leaders⌋—so that I might not be running, or have run ⌊the race⌋, in vain.3 But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.4 ⌊This issue arose⌋ because of false brothers smuggled in, who came in secretly to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
Paul described Titus as his ‘true son’
Titus 1:4 (HCSB) To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.Paul described Titus as a partner and a worker with him
2 Corinthians 8:23 (HCSB) As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker serving you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.He trusted Titus and valued his opinion
Titus delivered the letter that Paul said grieved the Corinthians. You remember we talked about that in our study of 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 7:8-15 (HCSB)8 For even if I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it—even though I did regret it since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a little while.9 Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn't experience any loss from us.10 For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.11 For consider how much diligence this very thing—this grieving as God wills—has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure in this matter.12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong, or because of the one who was wronged, but in order that your diligence for us might be made plain to you in the sight of God.13 For this reason we have been comforted. In addition to our comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you.14 For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been embarrassed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth.15 And his affection toward you is even greater as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you received him with fear and trembling.
Paul advised Titus how he should teach different groups of people. These groups were the old people, the young people and slaves. Titus had to emphasize the true message about Jesus Christ. He had to tell the Christians how to behave in the right way. He had to warn them about false teachers.
Titus 1:1 (HCSB) Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
Paul describes himself as both a slave and an apostle, in other words a servant with the authority of an apostle. Paul only describes himself this way in In Romans, in 2 Timothy. Elsewhere he uses either slave or apostle. To the Philippians he was a servant; to the Galatians and Corinthians, who needed rebuke and authoritative instruction, he was an apostle.
Titus, really needed to be armed with Paul's apostolic authority in dealing with the church on Crete.
2 Corinthians 7:8-15 (HCSB)8 For even if I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it—even though I did regret it since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a little while.9 Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn't experience any loss from us.10 For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.11 For consider how much diligence this very thing—this grieving as God wills—has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure in this matter.12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong, or because of the one who was wronged, but in order that your diligence for us might be made plain to you in the sight of God.13 For this reason we have been comforted. In addition to our comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you.14 For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been embarrassed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth.15 And his affection toward you is even greater as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you received him with fear and trembling.
Titus was the one responsible for completing the collection from the Corinthians for the poor Christians in Jerusalem
2 Corinthians 8:16-19 (HCSB)16 Thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus.17 For he accepted our urging and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice.18 We have sent with him the brother who is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry.19 And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gift that is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness ⌊to help⌋.The reason why Paul wrote the letter
Titus had to appoint leaders to to lead the churches.Paul advised Titus how he should teach different groups of people. These groups were the old people, the young people and slaves. Titus had to emphasize the true message about Jesus Christ. He had to tell the Christians how to behave in the right way. He had to warn them about false teachers.
Read Titus 1:1-16
1. What's important about the way Paul describes himself in the greeting?Titus 1:1 (HCSB) Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
Paul describes himself as both a slave and an apostle, in other words a servant with the authority of an apostle. Paul only describes himself this way in In Romans, in 2 Timothy. Elsewhere he uses either slave or apostle. To the Philippians he was a servant; to the Galatians and Corinthians, who needed rebuke and authoritative instruction, he was an apostle.
Titus, really needed to be armed with Paul's apostolic authority in dealing with the church on Crete.
Apostolic Authority is acting as Jesus' representative to accomplish His purpose. Apostolic Authority is being sent by Jesus Christ with an authorization to use His inherent power to fulfill His purpose. This apostolic sending has four parts:
2. How did Paul describe his job as an apostle?
Titus 1:1-3 (HCSB)1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:
His job was to build up the faith in the believers so that the would grow in maturity in Christ. Look at;
- First, the source of authority comes from outside the one operating in authority.
- Second, authority has a specific area or place to operate.
- Third, there is usually a specific mission or purpose for the use of authority.
- Fourth, it requires obedience and complete follow-through for authority to be effective
2. How did Paul describe his job as an apostle?
Titus 1:1-3 (HCSB)1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:
His job was to build up the faith in the believers so that the would grow in maturity in Christ. Look at;
2 Timothy 2:10 (HCSB) This
is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain
salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
As we grow in maturity we also grow in knowledge of the truth of salvation in Jesus alone and the blessings that come with it. But in Crete, as in Ephesus, the traditional meanings of "truth" and "gospel" were disputed by false teachers.
Paul conceived of his job not just planting seeds of faith but also as producing strong, mature and fruitful Christians. His purpose was accomplished only when people were well on their way to maturity in Christ.
3. In light of Paul’s reference to Titus, what kind of relationship did these two believers have?
Titus 1:4 (HCSB) To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Savior.
He called Titus his "true son" so the relationship was obviously very close. This was term of affection used by Paul of Timothy, Titus, and Onesimus. The common faith was shared by Paul, Titus, and all Christians.
Another interesting point about these letters to Timothy and Titus is that in the greetings the word mercy or peace is only in them not in the letters to the churches. So you see that even though they may have been read by others these are personal letters.
4. Why did Paul leave Titus in Crete?
Titus 1:5 (HCSB) The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
To finish up the work that Paul had started. Paul may have visited Crete for only a short time. He did not have enough time to complete his work. But he had told Titus what to do.
Titus had to put everything in order. He had to organise the church properly. His first job was to appoint elders in all the churches. Paul had already told Titus how to appoint elders. So, in this letter, Paul told Titus what qualities elders and leaders should have. These qualities and standards still apply to Christian leaders today.
5. What qualifications were necessary to be an elder in the church on Crete?
Elders here means the teaching elders or pastors. We will see that from the context of the letter.
The qualifications are essentially the same as the ones he gave Timothy for the leaders in Ephesus.
1 Timothy 3:2-4 (HCSB)2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.
As we grow in maturity we also grow in knowledge of the truth of salvation in Jesus alone and the blessings that come with it. But in Crete, as in Ephesus, the traditional meanings of "truth" and "gospel" were disputed by false teachers.
Paul conceived of his job not just planting seeds of faith but also as producing strong, mature and fruitful Christians. His purpose was accomplished only when people were well on their way to maturity in Christ.
3. In light of Paul’s reference to Titus, what kind of relationship did these two believers have?
Titus 1:4 (HCSB) To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father
He called Titus his "true son" so the relationship was obviously very close. This was term of affection used by Paul of Timothy, Titus, and Onesimus. The common faith was shared by Paul, Titus, and all Christians.
Another interesting point about these letters to Timothy and Titus is that in the greetings the word mercy or peace is only in them not in the letters to the churches. So you see that even though they may have been read by others these are personal letters.
4. Why did Paul leave Titus in Crete?
Titus 1:5 (HCSB) The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
To finish up the work that Paul had started. Paul may have visited Crete for only a short time. He did not have enough time to complete his work. But he had told Titus what to do.
Titus had to put everything in order. He had to organise the church properly. His first job was to appoint elders in all the churches. Paul had already told Titus how to appoint elders. So, in this letter, Paul told Titus what qualities elders and leaders should have. These qualities and standards still apply to Christian leaders today.
5. What qualifications were necessary to be an elder in the church on Crete?
Elders here means the teaching elders or pastors. We will see that from the context of the letter.
The qualifications are essentially the same as the ones he gave Timothy for the leaders in Ephesus.
1 Timothy 3:2-4 (HCSB)2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.
General Qualifications
Titus 1:6 (HCSB) one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion.
A list of negatives
Titus 1:7 (HCSB) For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (HCSB)17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.18 ⌊Instruct them⌋ to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share,19 storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.
- He must not please himself. A selfish man pleases himself. He takes no notice of what other people need. Jesus showed that a leader should serve other people when at the Last Supper He washed His disciples’ feet.
- He must not have a bad temper. A man who gets angry quickly often insults people. He argues and does not listen to people. Instead, a leader should be patient as he helps people.
- He must not drink too much alcohol. Instead, he should control himself properly.
- He must not fight. A leader should help to unite people. He should be gentle.
- He must not be greedy to get more money. He must not try to get money in ways that are not honest. Instead, a leader should be content and generous
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (HCSB)17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.18 ⌊Instruct them⌋ to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share,19 storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.
A list of positives
Titus 1:8-9 (HCSB)8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled,9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
- He should be ready to welcome strangers into his home. In those days, small hotels were dirty and expensive. Christian teachers and other travelers often needed somewhere to stay.
1 Peter 4:9 (HCSB) Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
It used to be when a visiting preacher came to town for a revival or to be a guest preacher for Sunday services somebody in the congregation would feed and house them. That doesn't happen much anymore. Usually the host church pays for a hotel room and the pastor or someone else takes them out to dinner.
- He must love good people and good things. He must act in ways that will help other people.
- He must be sensible. This means that he should control what he says and does. He must think about the possible results of his words and actions.
- He must behave in the right way towards other people. He should have a high standard of behavior.
- He must be holy. This means that he should be sincere and be loyal to God.
- He must be able to control himself. Then he will be able to rule other people.
- He must firmly believe the true message of the gospel.
6 Why is it necessary for an elder to be blameless?
A leader should be a model for other Christians. If a leader was a bad example then unbelievers would not learn to respect God.
1 Peter 5:1-3 (HCSB)1 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you:2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s ⌊will⌋; not for the money but eagerly;3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
7. What is the result of holding firm to the "faithful message"?
Titus 1:9 (HCSB) holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
That faithful message was the doctrine of the church the true message about Jesus and it has a double application: exhortation and conviction—to instruct believers, and to convict nonbelievers.
8. How should believers respond to "rebellious people" in the church?
Titus 1:10-13 (HCSB)10 For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism 11 It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn't in order to get money dishonestly.12 One of their very own prophets said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.13 This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith
Believers should silenceand rebuke them. In Crete the situation was aggravated by the Judaizers and other false teachers, who subverted whole households in their desire to win favor and financial gain.
There were many false teachers in Crete. Many of them were Jews. Many false teachers said that Christians must obey the Jewish rules. They led people away from God’s truth. The false teachers had a bad effect on family life. They were teaching lies that ruined families. The false teachers taught those things for the wrong reason. They were greedy for money and they wanted to become rich. They did not care about other people. They cared more about money.
What these false teachers taught were probably traditions and rules that men had invented. The Jewish Pharisees and other religious had over the centuries made up extra rules to go with the law. There were rules about the kind of food that people could eat. They told people what they could touch or do. Judaizers said that Christians must obey these traditions and rules.The Jews said that their rules explained God’s laws. But they had made up the rules. Paul listed some of these rules in;
Colossians 2:16-23 (HCSB)16 Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah.18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his unspiritual mind.19 He doesn’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, develops with growth from God.20 If you died with the Messiah to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:21 “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”?22 All these ⌊regulations⌋ refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are commands and doctrines of men.23 Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.
1 Timothy 4:1-5 (HCSB)1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
Paul said that Titus should stop the false teachers. The word stop means to shut their mouths. The false teachers’ lies could have ruined the church.
It was so bad with the Creteions that Paul says even one of their own, Epimenides, said that they were liars. Epimenides was a teacher and a poet. He lived about 600 years before Jesus was born. He said that:
- They always told lies. The common phrase to speak like a person in Crete meant to tell a lie.
- They were as cruel as wild animals.
- They were lazy people.
- They ate too much and drank too much wine.
When the false teachers believed the truth, they would not be interested in the lies any more.
Paul did not want the false teachers to leave the church. Instead, he wanted them to know the truth about Jesus. Paul did not want Titus to punish the false teachers. He wanted to save them from the lies. Then they would be strong Christians.
Titus 1:13 (HCSB) This
testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith
The lesson in that for us is that when someone sins, we should always try to correct him or her.
Galatians 6:1-2 (HCSB)1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
9. If they are rebuked what will be their response?
Titus 1:14 (HCSB) and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of men who reject the truth.
They would disregard those Jewish false stories that Paul refers to in
1 Timothy 1:4 (HCSB) or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith.
Titus 3:9 (HCSB) But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Remember our study of 1 Timothy
The material they used was Old Testament genealogies and other myths and writings about the Old Testament. The Old Testament is referred to here as "the law." The teaching they were advocating was probably a form of what later came to be called Gnosticism. This heresy considered the body, and all matter, to be evil and, therefore, denied Christ's humanity. Then people wasted time as they discussed these false stories.
10. What does it mean that, "To the pure, all things are pure"?
Titus 1:15 (HCSB) To the
pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing
is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled.
In this verse, the word pure means innocent and without sin. He is not a mixture of good and evil. The Jews said that a person had to obey all the Old Testament commands and all Jewish traditions, and they would then be pure or clean. Jesus said that those commands and traditions could not make a person pure.
Luke 11:37-41 (HCSB)37 As He was speaking, a Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and reclined at the table.38 When the Pharisee saw this, he was amazed that He did not first perform the ritual washing before dinner.39 But the Lord said to him: “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and evil.40 Fools! Didn’t He who made the outside make the inside too?41 But give from what is within to the poor, and then everything is clean for you.
Mark 7:17-23 (HCSB)17 When He went into the house away from the crowd, the disciples asked Him about the parable.18 And He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him?19 For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated.” (As a result, He made all foods clean.)20 Then He said, “What comes out of a person—that defiles him.21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”
A person becomes pure in his spirit when he trusts Jesus. Jesus affects the person’s mind and conscience so that he is full of good things. Nothing physical can make him less pure in his spirit
However, if a person is not pure in his spirit, nothing physical can make his spirit pure.
11. How is it possible to learn whether a person truly knows God?
Titus 1:16 (HCSB)16 They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.
The works are the decisive evidence of the condition of the heart.
Matthew 7:20 (HCSB) So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
1 John 4:20 (HCSB) If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen.
Some things for you to think about this week
- Why is it necessary to appoint elders and leaders in the church?
- What are rebellious people in the church like?
- How should we treat rebellious people in the church?
- What should our motivation be in correcting those who teach things they ought not to teach?
- What can you do in the next few days to encourage another Christian in his or her faith?
- How can you show support for your church leaders? When?
- What is one way you can support true doctrine and sound teaching in your church?
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