Titus

Much like Paul’s letters to Timothy, this letter to Titus is to assist him in bringing some order to the church in Crete. If you remember your geography, Crete is the largest island of Greece. In this letter Paul stresses Christian conduct (Cretans had a reputation for being a bunch of liars with low moral standards), and sound doctrine. They needed sound leadership and better organization.

1:1 “. . . . and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.”

If you have the knowledge of the truth, it should produce some good fruit in your life, godliness.

1:5, 6 “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town. An elder must . . . . “

This was quite an assignment for Titus. “I’ve got to go, you straighten out this mess . . . good luck.” Paul tells him to appoint elders (plural) in every town. Leadership that is plural reduces the chances of any one person making extreme judgments or going off the rail in doctrine. This passage then goes on to give the qualifications for the elders, much as is seen in I Tim 3.

1:9 “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

Hold firmly . . . . sound doctrine . . . . refute those who oppose it. Have you heard this message before?

1:10 “For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households.”

It appears that the same false teachers are seen here as was seen in Gal 2 where they were insisting that Christians must observe all of the Laws of Moses. It was destroying families. 

2:3 “. . . . teach the older woman to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands . . .”

Older couples can be a great resource in churches if they are not shuffled off to a “seniors group.” Think about it. Every issue that younger couples and families have to deal with, unemployment, sickness, conflict, child raising, deaths of loved ones, the older people have already experienced. They should be in a mixed age group to share their wisdom and experiences with the younger people in the church.

2:9 “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything.”

In the Frequently Asked Questions section there is an article entitled “Does God Approve of Slavery?”

2:13 “. . . . while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Paul is telling the church how to live as they anticipate the appearing of Jesus.  Another article in the Frequently Asked Question section is entitled, “How Should we Live in Light of the Imminent Return of Jesus?” that you might find of interest.

Paul ends this short letter in chapter 3 with more practical living advice.

3:1 “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities.”

3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because they are unprofitable and useless.”

3:10 “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

3:14 “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Paul is saying, in effect, “Let’s focus on what is important, sound doctrine and godly living, and avoid the unnecessary distractions and disorder that we’ve been accustomed to.”