Introduction
The Epistle is written to Titus, an uncircumcised Greek (Galatians 2:3) who became a travelling partner of Paul’s (Galatians 2:1). At the time of writing, Titus was ministering in Crete (Titus 1:5). Paul had left him there to appoint and train spiritual leaders for the church (Titus 1:5). Crete did not have a good reputation. One of their own, a famous prophet and writer described them as “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). Paul commissioned Titus to address these matters in the church.
Titus’ role in Crete appears to be three-fold. First, he was to teach sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). Second, he was to silence (1:11), rebuke (1:13; 2:15), exhort (2:15), and remind (3:1) the church of their obligations in Christ. Finally, he was to appoint and train a spiritual leadership to oversee the work of the church and resist the false teaching of the “circumcision party” that wanted to return them to the Jewish law of Moses.
Paul writes to Titus to encourage and guide him in his ministry. He shows him the kind of leaders the church needed if they were to advance in the cause of the gospel (Titus 1:5-9). He reminds his “true child in a common faith” (Titus 1:4) of the power of the gospel to transform lives and shows Titus the kind of people God wanted to see in the church of Crete (2:1-10). The apostle clarified the message of the gospel Titus was to teach in Crete (2:11-15; 3:4-8). Finally, Paul challenges Titus as a servant of God not to get distracted by “unprofitable and worthless” dissensions, controversies and quarrels (3:9). Instead, he was to devote himself to teaching “what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).
The Epistle is a reminder of the power of the gospel not only to forgive but also to transform lives. It is also, however, a challenge to remember that we are in the midst of a spiritual warfare and that we must be diligent as believers to strive for godliness in life and practice.
Chapter 1
Verse 1
As we begin, Paul introduces himself as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. It is important to see these two titles together. Some use their titles to promote themselves and lift their name above others. This is not what Paul is doing here. The Greek word translated servant is δου̃λος (doúlos) which means slave or a person whose whole purpose is to serve another. The word apostle is ἀπόστολος (apóstolos) which comes from the word apostéllō, meaning to send. An apostle represented the Lord Jesus and was sent by Him as an ambassador. The ambassador’s only responsibility was to convey and represent the wishes of his Lord. A servant and apostle were to die to their ideas and wishes and do the will of the person they served.
Note the purpose of Paul’s service and apostleship here. He was given these roles first for the sake of the faith of God’s elect.” The word elect is ἐκλεκτός (eklektós), which simply means to choose, or in this case, the chosen.
1 John 4:19 tells us:
(19) We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19 ESV
While we could get into all kinds of theological debate here, the reality of the matter is that if Jesus Christ did not take the first step, none of us would ever have been saved from the consequences of our sins. If His Holy Spirit did not open my eyes to the truth of the Gospel, I would still be in my blindness. I owe my salvation completely to the Lord Jesus and His initiative. He chose to speak to my heart. He chose to break my resistance to the gospel. He chose to die in my place. He chose to work in me before I chose Him. He loved me before I knew Him. He reached out to me before I could reach out to Him.
Note here that God desires to reach out to me and bring me into His kingdom, but he also wants me to grow in my faith and understanding of Him and His purpose. The word faith is πίστις (pístis) and it refers to a persuasion or conviction of the truth. Paul’s role was to help believers to understand and be convinced of the truth Jesus taught. This would take place for Paul through his teaching, writing, preaching and personal interactions with people.
Paul also describes his responsibility as a servant and apostle to be one of bringing “knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness.” Paul’s calling was not just to fill churches with theologically correct believers but also to teach them how to live godly lives.
Faith in the truth of God’s Word and a knowledge of how to live godly lives are both vital components of the Christian life. Paul was called as an apostle to cultivate both of these qualities in the church of Jesus Christ.
Verse 2
In verse 1, we learned that Paul was called by God for the sake of the elect, and their faith and knowledge of a truth that led to a godly lifestyle. Now the reality of the matter is that this kind of knowledge and lifestyle will lead us into trouble in this sinful world. Believers will be persecuted and called to live a life that conflicts with the world and its sinful ways. Why would anyone want a knowledge and lifestyle that might cause persecution in this world? Paul answers this in verse 2. It was because of the hope of eternal life which God promised in eternity past.
This hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ was worth suffering for. The love of God in Jesus Christ and this promise of eternal life compelled those of faith to surrender all to Him. Notice two details here about this eternal life.
First, God promised this life before the ages passed. It was His intention from the very beginning of time to set apart a people who would know His salvation and experience eternity in His presence.
Second, eternal life in Jesus Christ is promised by a God who never lies to all who accept His Son. It cannot be taken from them.
Verse 3
Paul was a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s people and their knowledge of what it meant to be godly (verse 1). To those who belonged to Him, Jesus promised eternal life (verse 2). These truths were “manifested in His Word” through the preaching of the gospel entrusted to Paul “by the command” of our Saviour and God. Note a few details here in this verse.
Our faith is based on “His Word.” That is to say, our faith must be solidly founded on the Word of God. This is the source of all truth we need to know about God and His purpose. Human philosophies and ideas cannot be the foundation for faith.
Second, God has ordained that faith and godliness be taught through the preaching of His inspired Word. All preaching must be based on the truth of the Scriptures and not human ideas. God has chosen the preaching of truth to be a vital means of communicating His heart to the church.
Third, Paul tells us that the Word we preach was manifested “at the proper time.” The Word that was revealed at the proper time was found in the person of Jesus Christ. John makes this clear when he begins his Gospel with the words:
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. – John 1:1-2 ESV
The word Paul preached was the truth about Jesus Christ and His salvation.
Note finally that this word of the gospel was entrusted to Paul by a command of God the Saviour. The apostle was divinely commissioned to preach the truth about Jesus and His work. What Paul preached was not his ideas but a revelation of God to Him about His Son Jesus Christ.
Verse 4
The letter is written to Titus. Paul speaks of him as his “true child in common faith.”
According to Galatians 2:3, Titus was an uncircumcised Greek.
(3) But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. – Galatians 2:3 ESV
He was a travelling companion of Paul’s:
(1) Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. – Galatians 2:1 ESV
We have evidence of Titus being sent by Paul to minister in the city of Corinth:
(17) Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? (18) I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps? – 2 Corinthians 12:17-18 ESV
Titus appears to be well-loved and respected by the apostle. Paul’s prayer for him was that the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be his portion.
Verse 5
The verse tells us that Titus ministered in Crete. Paul reminds Timothy that he had left him there for two specific reasons.
First, Titus was to “put what remained in order.” The apostle does not go into detail about these matters. We can assume that Paul likely went with Titus to Crete, preached the gospel and saw some converts. While Paul moved on to another location, he left Titus to organize a church and get it established. Each of us has our role. Paul travelled from one place to another, but he understood the importance of follow-up and establishing the churches so that they could continue in his absence. Titus had the gifts and ability to help these early believers establish themselves in churches and continue in the truth Paul had taught them.
Second, Titus was also to appoint elders in every town where there was a church. Titus appears to follow behind Paul. Paul preached the gospel and saw souls saved and brought into the kingdom. Titus remained and trained leaders to continue the work of the church, and then he, too, left to go to another city to do the same thing. These local believers would then continue the work on their own. The apostles or their coworkers would visit or write to the church, as they had the opportunity, to encourage them in the faith.
Verse 6
To assist Titus in the role of selecting elders for the churches, Paul takes a moment to show him the kind of men he needed to be looking for.
First, an elder was to be above reproach. The word ἀνέγκλητος (anégklētos) is a legal term that speaks of a person who is free from any legal charge. He is a law-abiding citizen. Not only does he follow the law of the land, however, but he also follows the law of God and walks faithfully with Him.
Second, Timothy was to seek men who were the husband of one wife. God intended that a man marry one woman and live faithfully with her. The implication is that the elder only had only one wife at a time, and was faithful to that wife as long as she lived.
Third, the elder’s children were to be believers and not charged with “debauchery or insubordination.” The word translated “believers” here in the ESV is πιστός (pistós), which refers to trustworthiness or faithfulness. The King James Version translates the word as “faithful children”:
(6) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. – Titus 1:6 KJV
Paul seems to explain what he means here by “faithful children” when he says that these children were not to be open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
The word debauchery is ἀσωτία (asōtía) and speaks of a prodigal or one who is easily influenced to wander from a godly life into worldliness and improper living.
The word insubordination is ἀνυπότακτος (anupótaktos), derived from the word “a” meaning without and “hupotássō” meaning to sit under or to subject oneself to another. The idea here is that these children do not submit to authority and live as rebels.
Paul is telling Timothy that an elder should be a man who did not have children, who lived ungodly lives, and who rebelled against authority. The idea is that if the elder was not able to keep his children in submission or raise a family that respected the laws of the land and the laws of God, then how could he do so in the church?
Verse 7
In Titus 1:5 Paul told Titus that he left him in Crete to “appoint elders in every town.” The apostle then proceeds in verse 6 to list the qualifications of such an elder.
Verse 7 begins with the word “for.” The Greek word is γάρ (gár) and links what Paul has been saying in verses five and six to what he is about to say in verse 7.
Note here that Paul switches from the word elder in verse 5 (πρεσβύτερος, presbúteros) to overseer (ἐπίσκοπος, epískopos). The Greek word ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos) is derived from “epí,” meaning upon, and “skopós,” meaning a watchman. Together they carry the meaning of someone who watches over. Paul seems to be using the word elder and overseer interchangeably here. An elder was an overseer. We do not need to see a separation between the role of an elder and that of an overseer.
The overseer, according to Paul, was God’s steward (οἰκονόμος, oikonómos). A steward was an administrator of a home, family or business tasked with assuring that everything was running as intended. This is the role of the elder/overseer. He was to oversee the work of the church according to the principles laid out in the Word of God.
An overseer was to be above reproach. The word used here is ἀνέγκλητος (anégklētos) and refers to someone who has been accused in court. An overseer was to be free from legal impediments. He was to be a law-abiding citizen. Not only was he to obey the law of the land but he was also to obey the law of God and walk faithfully with Him.
Next, an overseer was not to be arrogant. Paul uses the word αὐθάδης (authádēs) here. It is derived from “autós,” meaning himself and “hḗdomai” meaning to please. Together these words speak of someone whose interest is to please themselves. Paul tells Titus that when he was looking for leaders, they were to be self-sacrificing men with a passion to minister to the needs of others.
Overseers were also not to be quick-tempered. We sometimes say that this kind of person has a “short fuse.” Imagine a stick of dynamite that has a very short fuse. When it is ignited, it is not long before the flame reaches the dynamite and blows up. The kind of person Paul speaks about here gets angry very quickly and does not have patience with people. An overseer must be patient with the members of the church. His quick temper will only be a hindrance to his ministry.
Drunkenness and substance abuse were not to be part of an overseer’s life. He was not to be a drunkard or controlled by any substance. This impairment would only hinder his judgement and give him a bad testimony in the church.
An overseer was not to be a violent man. The word πλήκτης (plḗktēs) means to strike. We should not see this only to refer to someone who physically strikes another person with his fists. We can strike people with our words as well. The type of person Paul refers to here is one who is looking for a fight. That might be physical but it might also be verbal. This kind of man loves to quarrel and disagree. He hurts people in word and deed, to prove his point.
Next, the overseer was not to be a greedy person. The word αἰσχροκερδής (aischrokerdḗs) comes from “aischrós,” meaning dishonourable or indecent, and “kérdos,” meaning gain. This kind of person is willing to compromise his moral and spiritual standards if, by doing so, he may obtain personal benefit. The overseer was to be a man who held firmly to his convictions and would give up everything to walk in truth and integrity.
Verse 8
The apostle lists another six qualities of an elder/overseer here in this verse. He begins by telling Titus that as he sought out leaders for the various churches he was establishing, he was to look for hospitable men. The word φιλόξενος (philóxenos) refers to a friend of strangers. We often think of hospitality as the quality that brings friends together. This, however, is not the sense of the word Paul uses. The elder was to be one who was able to show kindness and compassion to those outside of the church. He was open to receiving people who were different from him and not inside his social circle. He embraced all people and demonstrated the love of Christ without prejudice.
Second, the kind of leader Titus was to seek out was a lover of good. The word φιλάγαθος (philágathos) is derived from “phílos,” meaning friend, and “agathós,” meaning benevolent. Together these two words convey the sense of a friend to benevolence, or a person who loves doing what is good and right. Note that the person Titus was to look for was not someone who did good because, if he didn’t, it would be bad for his reputation. The person Titus was to seek out was one who “loved” to do good. In other words, it was his passion and delight.
Third, the elder/overseer was to be self-controlled. The idea here is that he was in control of his emotions, passions, and body. He was not an individual quick to become angry but a master of his emotions. He would not lash out at another in words because he was in control of his tongue. He would not seek revenge or retaliation for wrongs done to him because he was in control of his actions. All of these things were held in submission to the higher principle of godliness and obedience to God.
Fourth, Paul required that an elder/overseer be upright. The word δίκαιος (díkaios) refers to righteousness and justice. Such a person walked in obedience to the laws of the land and the laws of God. These individuals honour God by walking faithfully in His purpose.
Fifth, elders/overseers were to be holy. The word ὁˊσιος (hósios) refers to someone who is unpolluted by sin and evil and lives a life in conformity with the purpose of God.
Finally, the elder/overseer was to be disciplined. The word ἐγκρατής (egkratḗs) refers to being in control of oneself or one’s circumstances. The idea seems to be that other things or people are not hindering his ability to make the right decisions and take the right actions. He is not distracted from his purpose or hindered from doing what is right.
Verse 9
According to Paul, an elder/overseer was to “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught.” In our day, we encourage free thinking and independence. This is not what Paul is teaching here. He is telling Titus that the elder/overseer was not looking for new truths but rather one who held firmly to the “word as taught.” If we want to know the truth we must look to what has been passed on to us from generation to generation. We must not despise the unchanging message of the gospel. It must be our focus and commitment. We cannot compromise the truth of that age-old gospel in any way. Titus was to look for men who stood firm on the truth as taught by the apostles and accepted it as sufficient for life and godliness. It was these men who held firmly to the word taught, that Titus was to commission as elder/overseers in the church.
Paul tells Titus that the elder/overseer was to be able to instruct in sound doctrine. This did not need to take place in the pulpit on a Sunday morning. Not all elders/overseers are gifted or capable public speakers. Elders, however, were to be able to recognize the truth and share that truth with others. They were to be able to “give instruction in sound doctrine.” That might take place in the context of a pastoral visit with a member of the church or in informal conversations with individuals. What is important is that the elder understands the truth and can convey that truth to the members of the church.
Observe secondly that not only was that elder/overseer to understand and speak the truth of sound doctrine, but he was also to be able to rebuke those who contradicted it. To do so an elder first needed to be able to recognize false teaching. Secondly, however, he was to have the ability to rebuke those who brought that teaching. The word ἐλέγχω (elégchō) used here means to convict or to prove wrong. In other words, the elder was to be able to demonstrate the truth before those who contradicted it.
The role of the elder/overseer was to guard the truth and stand in its defence, lest falsehood and error invade the church and lead its members astray.
Verse 10
The apostle has been instructing Titus about the kind of leaders God wanted for the church. He reminds him that not all men demonstrate these qualities. Some men were insubordinate. The Greek word Paul used here is ἀνυπότακτος (anupótaktos). It is derived from the word “a,” meaning without, and “hupotássō,” meaning to be subject to or to sit under someone or something. In other words, some men refuse to submit to any authority but do as they please. This kind of man was unfit to be an elder in the church.
Second, other men were “empty talkers.” The idea is that they had nothing of real value to speak about. Understand that the words we speak are a reflection of the heart and mind. What a person speaks about reflects their priorities. This empty talk might also be related to false doctrines or futile discussions that only led to quarrels about things that had no value in the scope of eternity. If elected to the office of elder, these individuals would only hinder the work of the church and cause controversy.
Finally, some deceivers identified as Christians. Paul gives an example of this here when he speaks about members of the “circumcision party.” These individuals believed that Christians needed to follow the law of Moses and submit to circumcision as a spiritual obligation. The idea is that if you were to be a good follower of Jesus you needed to observe the Jewish laws. Paul taught that believers in Jesus Christ were free from the law. Their salvation and relationship with God had nothing to do with how well they kept the law of Moses.
Paul is making an important point here. Some men believed that salvation was through the law. They measured spiritual maturity by how well an individual observed that law. Their focus was all about how a person lived their life and not about their forgiveness in Jesus Christ. These individuals diminished the significance of the cross by telling believers that they could be right with God apart from the work of Jesus Christ. All they had to do was follow the law of God the best they could. Any elder who believed this was unfit for office in the church. While it is important that we walk in obedience to God and His Word, it is the work of Jesus Christ alone that guarantees our salvation. It is the work of His Spirit in us that brings true maturity and not how well we can live by our efforts.
Verse 11
Paul challenges Titus to silence insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers (verse 10). He explains why this was so important in the church.
These men were “upsetting whole families.” The word, “upsetting” is ἀνατρέπω (anatrépō) and means to overturn. When Jesus was in the temple and saw the money changers, He overturned their tables. The result was that whatever was on those tables was spilled out onto the floor. Imagine upsetting a table holding a precious vase. The vase falls on the floor and shatters into thousands of pieces. This is what these men were doing. They were upsetting whole families with their quarrels, division and falsehood. They needed to be stopped.
Notice also that these men were “teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” They were false teachers who were receiving money from those they deceived. They profited financially from gullible people and, in return, upset and divided their families by teaching heresy. Titus was to silence these individuals and stop them from profiting from their lies.
Verse 12
Paul quotes from a Cretan prophet here. Most commentators believe this prophet to be a man by the name of Epimenides who was born about 600 years before Christ. He was known for his religious and poetical writings and did not always cast the people of his nation in a positive light. He was particularly known for his statement that all Cretans were liars. Paul attributes him to have also said of his people that they were evil beasts and lazy gluttons.
The words Paul quotes here were to remind Titus of the task he had before him. He was to make a special effort to establish the church in Crete so that the gospel of Jesus Christ could transform the reputation of these Cretans.
Verse 13
In verse 12, Paul quoted Epimenides, who wrote that “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Note what the apostle has to say in this verse to Titus over 600 years later — “This testimony is true.” The reputation of the Cretans had not changed though hundreds of years had passed.
It would be easy to just accept that this reality could never be changed. Paul is not of this opinion. He challenged Titus here to take a stand against this six-hundred-year reputation. He tells him to rebuke the Cretans sharply. The word “rebuke” is ἐλέγχω (elégchō) and means to shame, disgrace or to prove wrong.
Paul is making an important point here. The reputation of Crete had been well-established and firmly rooted in their culture for over 600 years. Maybe you have had sinful habits or attitudes that go back as far as you can remember. Maybe there are issues in your marriage or friendships hindering your relationship, but they have been firmly rooted for years. What would the apostle Paul say to you today? He would tell you to rebuke these deeply rooted attitudes, sins and habits sharply and determine in your mind that you will dig deeply down to the roots and pull them out for the glory of God.
Notice the reason for the sharp rebuke. It was Paul’s desire that by exposing their error, they would become “sound in the faith.” The word sound is ὑγιαίνω (hugiaínō) and speaks of something healthy. The goal of rebuking the Cretans was to strengthen their faith.
Paul believed that the gospel was able to transform the Cretan’s lives for good. It was able to take a 600-year-old bad reputation and transform it into a godly one. Such is the power of the gospel.
Verse 14
Titus was to charge the Cretans to stop devoting themselves to Jewish myths. The Greek word μυ̃θος (múthos) refers to a story or idea invented by the human mind but not based in reality. The fact of the matter is that the only reliable source of truth about God and His purpose are the Scriptures which He has given us. Anything that does not conform to them must be seen as error. The New Testament ends with this warning:
(18) I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, (19) and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. – Revelation 22:18-19 ESV
We can get distracted by many things in this world. Human philosophies, ideas and programmes are not to be held on the same level as the Word of God. That Word must be taken as it is without adding our own ideas and philosophies. We must not subtract anything from this Word but receive it as it is written to be our authoritative guide into all truth. Instead of devoting themselves to human ideas, myths and fables, the Cretans were to submit to the truth of God’s inspired Word. This was their only hope of transformation in their church and society.
Note also that Paul challenged Timothy to tell the Cretans not to devote themselves to “the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” We have an example of this in the “circumcision party” of verse 10, who wanted to bring all Christians under the obligation of circumcision and the observation of the law of Moses. These individuals multiplied laws and regulations as a means of demonstrating devotion to God and proving spiritual maturity. In doing so they took all attention away from the cross of Jesus that alone is our guarantee of forgiveness and eternal life.
Verse 15
In this chapter, Paul has been speaking about “the circumcision party,” who wanted to bring believers in Jesus Christ under the law of Moses. This included the practice of circumcision, the observation of the laws of Moses concerning clean and unclean food, and Jewish rituals and celebrations. Consider what Jesus had to say about this in Matthew 15 when the Pharisees were offended because His disciples did not wash their hands according to the Jewish traditions:
(11) It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (12) Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” (13) He answered … (17) Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? (18) But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. (19) For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. (20) These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” – Matthew 15:11-12,17-20 ESV
Jesus brought a new perspective on what it meant to be “pure.” For the Pharisees purity was external and required the washing of hands in a special way, observing special days and only eating food approved by the law. Jesus’ concern was not so much for the external as it was for the internal. Purity began in the heart.
Writing to the Romans, the apostle Paul addressed this matter of clean and unclean foods when he said:
(14) I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. – Romans 14:14 ESV
Paul told the Romans that he was “persuaded in the Lord Jesus” that nothing was unclean in itself. This was a departure from the law of Moses, which had lists of clean and unclean foods. Believers, in Jesus, however, were free to eat what they wanted because their relationship with Him did not depend on the kind of food they ate.
Observe, however, in Romans 14:14 that Paul says that food is “unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.” Consider this for a moment. Two brothers are sitting at a table to eat. There before them is a delicious pork roast. The first believer sticks his fork in a generous portion, brings it to his plate, and begins to eat, thanking God for every bite. The second believer, can’t get past the fact that the Old Testament forbade eating pork. He feels that if he were to eat, he would be dishonouring his Creator. What does he do? If he eats the pork before him, he goes against his conscience and willfully disobeys what he believes to be the purpose of God for his life. If he eats, believing that he is sinning against God, then he does sin because he is willing to do what he believes God does not want him to do. One person praises God for the meal by eating, and the other honours Him by refusing to eat.
What is true for food is also true for the Jewish holy days. Listen to what Paul would go on to say about this in Romans 14:5-6:
(5) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. (6) The one who observes the day observes it in honour of the Lord. The one who eats eats in honour of the Lord since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains abstains in honour of the Lord and gives thanks to God. – Romans 14:5-6 ESV
Paul reminds the Romans in these verses that there will be differences of opinion about holy days and food. What is important to observe from what Paul writes to the Romans is that each person needs to be convinced “in his own mind.” He goes on to remind the Romans that both the one who eats and the one who abstains do so to honour the Lord. God sees the heart and accepts their worship.
Here in Titus 1:15 Paul tells us that to those who are pure, all things are pure. This does not mean that we can sin with a clear conscience. What it does mean, however, is that I need to be less focused on judging a person by externals. There may be a legitimate reason why you saw your brother coming out of that bar. It was not to get drunk but to speak to that sinner who needed the Saviour. There may be a reason why your brother was speeding in his car. He was on the way to the hospital with a dying friend. It is all too easy to judge what we see without understanding the reasons. Jesus was judged for eating with sinners. I can assure you, however, that He did not do this because he loved and wanted to participate in their sin, but because He wanted to rescue them from it. His heart was pure in what He did.
On the other hand, however, Paul reminded Titus that to those who were defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. The man who associates with sinners to please and satisfy his ungodly desires and passions is sinning. Those who eat what they believe God has forbidden, sin by their willingness to disregard what they see as His commandment. Their attitude, disbelief and willingness to disregard the purpose of God, defile them and render their actions repulsive to Him.
Verse 16
Paul spoke to Titus in verse 15 about those who were “defiled and unbelieving.” These individuals were religious people who professed to know God. They observed the externals of religion with all its laws and celebrations, but their hearts were far from God. Paul has four things to say to Titus about these people.
First, they denied God by their works. These individuals may have been faithful church attenders but because their religion was one of externals, their hearts remained unchanged. Because they were not right with God, their actions soon followed. They rejoiced in what the world rejoiced in. They thought like the unbeliever. They did not have the mind of Christ or the inner work of His Spirit to transform their hearts. Their lives were, therefore, indistinguishable from the unbeliever except that they did religious things, and claimed to know God, making them hypocrites. Paul went as far as to say that they denied Christ by their works. In the case of the circumcision party, they claimed to know Jesus but when it came to their salvation, they depended on the law of Moses more than they did on the work of Jesus Christ.
Second, Paul calls them detestable. The person, who claims to know God but does not live for Him blasphemes the name of Jesus. One of the great charges against the church by the unbeliever is that there are too many hypocrites in it. The person who confesses to be a believer in Jesus must demonstrate this by their life. To do otherwise is to show great disrespect and dishonour to the Saviour. This was detestable to the apostle.
Third, the lives these “so-called” Christians lived, proved they were not genuine. Paul tells us that they lived in disobedience, doing what they wanted and disrespecting the purpose of God for their lives.
Paul tells Titus fourthly that such people are unfit for any good work. This was especially true when it came to being leaders of the church. The work that these individuals did came from a heart that was not in tune with God. This had no place in the church.
Chapter 2
Verse 1
The verse begins with the word “but.” This ties it to the final verses of Titus 1 where Paul speaks to Titus about individuals who claimed to know God but whose consciences were defiled and whose works demonstrated that they did not know Him (Titus 1:16). Paul also spoke in chapter 1 about men who were “insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers.” There were also individuals among them belonging to the circumcision party who diminished the work of Jesus and sought to bring believers back under the law of Moses (Titus 1:10). In light of this reality the apostle charges Titus with the responsibility to “teach what accords with sound doctrine.”
These false teachers were promoting falsehood and dividing the church of Jesus Christ. Believers needed to be instructed in the truth about Jesus Christ and His work. This role fell to Titus.
Verse 2
Paul has charged Titus to teach sound doctrine. What we need to understand here is that sound doctrine is not just about knowing facts about Jesus and His work. Sound doctrine changes how we live our lives. Paul demonstrates this in the verses following his charge to Titus by showing him how this doctrine was to impact the lives of the people in the church. He begins here with the older men.
Older men, who understood sound doctrine were to be “sober-minded.” The word used here is νηφάλιος (nēphálios) which implies that they were to be in control of their passions, lusts and desires. Their lives were surrendered to the purpose of God and, denying themselves, they walked in the truth.
Second, older men who knew sound doctrine were to be “dignified.” The word σεμνός (semnós) is the quality of someone whose life is respected and whose reputation is unblemished.
Third, older men were to be “self-controlled.” The word σώφρων (sṓphrōn) speaks of an individual who can discipline himself and restrain his passions and emotions.
Fourth, older men were to be sound in faith. The word sound implies health. This kind of faith requires exercising. You cannot have sound faith if you are not putting it into practice regularly. Soundness also implies freedom from compromise and corruption. Such faith requires constant vigilance and addressing any sin or shortcoming.
Fifth, older men were to be sound in love. Once again they were to be individuals whose love for God and the body of Christ was healthy and active. Their love was demonstrated in how they lived and how they responded to brothers and sisters in their midst.
Finally, older men were to be sound in steadfastness. The word is ὑπομονή (hupomonḗ), which is the ability to remain under pressure without giving up. These men were to demonstrate a healthy patience under tribulation.
Verse 3
Women who understood sound faith were to demonstrate this in their lives and behaviour. Paul lists four qualities in this verse that older women who understood sound faith were to demonstrate.
First, they were to be reverent in behaviour. The word ἱεροπρεπής (hieroprepḗs) used here speaks of something sacred or holy. Of course, God is the measure of holiness. These women were to live lives that reflected the character of the God they had come to know.
Second, women who understood sound doctrine were not to be slanderers. The word διάβολος (diábolos) is the name given to the devil and refers to the quality that falsely accuses and speaks lies about another.
Third, women of sound doctrine would not be “slaves to much wine.” Paul is not speaking here about total abstinence from wine but about being a “slave” (δουλόω, doulóō) to it. Sound faith would keep these women from being drunkards, abusing alcohol and in doing so risk defaming the name of their Lord.
Finally, women of sound doctrine would teach what is good. The apostle goes on to qualify what he means in the next verse by encouraging them to teach younger women how to be sober and love their husbands and children.
Verse 4
In verse 3, Paul challenged older women to “teach what is good.” He explains what he means here in verses four and five.
Note first who these older women were to teach. They were to train younger women. The word train here in the Greek language isσωφρονίζω (sōphronízō) and speaks of disciplining and correcting. Older women were to be active in the lives of the younger. They were to take it upon themselves to be their mentors, teaching, correcting, and even disciplining them when they began to wander from the path of righteousness. In verses four and five Paul lists six things the older women were to teach younger women.
First, older women were to teach the younger to love their husbands and children. Paul uses two words here. The first is φίλανδρος (phílandros), which comes from the Greek words “phílos,” meaning a friend, and “anḗr,” meaning a husband. Older women were to teach younger women how to be true friends to their husbands.
The second word used here is φιλότεκνος (philóteknos), which is derived from “phílos,” meaning a friend, and “téknon” meaning a child. The older women in the church were to help the younger ones to know how to be true friends to their children.
The use of the word “phílos” implies a caring and genuine relationship with the husband and children in her life. Older women who had experience in these matters were to share their experiences with these younger women who were still learning how to maintain this kind of relationship with their husbands and children.
Verse 5
The second thing older women were to teach the younger was how to be self-controlled. The word σώφρων (sṓphrōn) speaks of being restrained or disciplined in one’s passions and desires. With all the pressures of being a mother and wife, this would not always be easy. Older women uniquely understood these pressures and temptations and were able to share their insight and support with the younger, helping them to be in control of their passions and emotions for the good of their family and their testimony in the community.
Thirdly, older women were to instruct the younger to be pure. The word ἁγνός (hagnós) here refers to freedom from any sin that would defile them. It can also speak of being emotionally and sexually faithful to their husband.
Fourthly, older women were to teach the younger to work at home. Culturally, most women did not work outside the home in those days. While our modern situation needs to be taken into account, Paul challenges older women to help the younger to understand their obligation to their husbands and children. These younger women were to make their husbands and children a priority and do what they could to provide and care for them. Of course, this was a massive undertaking and would require the support and advice of older women who had experience in these matters.
Fifthly, older women were to teach younger women to be kind. The word translated as kind here is ἀγαθός (agathós), which means profitable or useful. In other words, younger women were to seek what benefitted another. They were to use their time, energy and resources to profit their husbands, children and people in their community.
Sixthly, older women were to teach the younger ones to be submissive to their own husbands. The word submissive is ὑποτάσσω (hupotássō). It is derived from “hupó,” meaning beneath or under, and “tássō,” meaning to arrange or to order. Together they carry the meaning of arranging herself under her husband and his leadership. Understand here that this was not a forced but a voluntary act. Older women were to teach younger women to arrange themselves under the authority of their husbands and not to be in opposition to Him and his leadership.
Note the reason why older women were to teach these things to the younger — “that the word of God may not be reviled.” By teaching younger women these qualities, the older women were playing a vital role for the glory of God and His truth. In observing these qualities, the younger women honoured God and His purpose for their lives.
Verse 6
Paul moves his attention now to the younger men in the church. How would sound doctrine (verse 1) impact their lives? Sound doctrine would equip these young men to be self-controlled. The Greek word σωφρονέω (sōphronéō) implies discretion and moderation in one’s actions, passions and emotions. They were not to allow their passions, emotions or any other outside influence to keep them from doing what was in accordance with sound doctrine. Those who understood sound doctrine would control their passions, actions and emotions and keep them in submission to the truth they had come to understand.
Verse 7
Speaking directly now to Titus, Paul challenges him to be a model of good works. That is to say, Titus was to demonstrate by his actions the purpose of God for the Christian life. He was to live out the truth he preached to others. The apostle also has some things to say to Titus about his teaching.
First, he was to show integrity in his teaching. The word ἀδιαφθορία (adiaphthoría) speaks of something that does not have any corruption. The truth of the gospel Titus preached was never to be compromised, altered or adjusted in any way.
Second, Titus was to teach with dignity. The word dignity is σεμνότης (semnótēs) and speaks of respect, decency and seriousness. He was not to take the word he taught lightly but treat it with all seriousness and respect, honouring it as the Word of God.
Verse 8
In verse 7 Paul challenged Titus to teach with integrity and dignity. He adds one more detail here. Titus was to teach with sound speech that could not be condemned. The word sound carries with it the sense of wholeness or healthiness. In other words, the things Titus spoke were to be godly, and true to the Word of God. His teaching was not to be mixed with false motives or intentions. I have to admit that there have been times when I spoke the truth with the wrong motives. There have been occasions in my preaching when my desire for personal glory contaminated my words, rendering them impure before God. Titus was to guard his motives and intentions and keep them pure before His Saviour.
Note here the reason why it is important to be sure that our speech is sound, healthy or godly in word, motive and attitude — “So that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” While our opponents may not like the words we speak, they cannot fault our intentions, motives and attitudes. Nor can they demonstrate that the truth we speak is not in agreement with the Word of God. They see the compassion and love in the words we share. They see our lives and how they demonstrate the truth of what we speak. Try as they may, they find nothing in us that would cause them to accuse us of untruth, hypocrisy, selfish motives, or greedy ambitions.
Verse 9
The final group Paul addresses here is slaves. The apostle is not promoting slavery by addressing them in this verse. The institution of slavery was, however, firmly intrenched in that culture and the question that had to be addressed was what a Christian slave bound to a master by law was to do. How did the believing slave’s understanding of sound doctrine impact how they lived their lives and performed their duty in a society that held them in bondage against their wishes?
First, Paul tells Titus that slaves were to be submissive to their masters in everything. The implication is that there may even be things that would not be considered fair or just but Christian slaves were to obey their master even in those circumstances. They were to serve their masters to their own hurt. I would like to add here that there may have been one exception to this rule (although Paul does not address it here). That exception was when their masters wanted them to disobey the higher authority of God.
Second, Paul tells Titus that slaves were to be well-pleasing. To be well-pleasing implied that the slave was to seek the well-being of their masters whether they be honourable or cruel. They were to perform their duties to the best of their ability.
Finally, slaves who understood sound doctrine were not to be argumentative. That is to say, they were to submit to the wishes of their master without disagreement or bitterness. They were to obey without question his or her wishes without talking back or questioning their wishes.
A servant who was submissive, hard working, obedient and did not argue or question their master’s authority would be well-pleasing to their master and demonstrate what it meant to be a true believer in Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus laid down His life for us and took on the role of a servant for our sake. A slave demonstrated by his or her life the truth of the gospel.
There are many times we find ourselves in situations that are difficult and unpleasant. How we handle those situations will show those around us what it means to be a true servant of Christ.
Verse 10
The apostle adds one more quality for the Christian slave here. The slave was not to pilfer. The word νοσφίζω (nosphízō) speaks of stealing, depriving or keeping something that belongs to another. Admittedly, the slave lived in poverty while the master bathed in luxury. This, however, did not mean that the slave had any right to what belonged to the master. In particular, a Christian slave was to be faithful and honest in everything.
Notice here that they were to be honest and faithful so that they could adorn the doctrine of God the Saviour. This ties the verse to what Paul said in verse 1 to Titus. He was to teach “what accords with sound doctrine.” Sound doctrine, according to Paul is not just something we understand in our heads but something we “adorn.” We wear sound doctrine by what we do and how we live our lives. The truth about Jesus Christ impacts our behaviour and shapes our personality. It touches everything we do and affects our every action. When a slave adorned sound doctrine, it transformed how they served their master.
Verse 11
Paul begins the verse with the word “for,” connecting it to the preceding verses. In those verses, the apostle spoke about how sound doctrine was to impact the lives of older women, younger women, younger men and slaves. Sound doctrine was found in the message of the gospel of God. That gospel spoke of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God who appeared on this earth, died for our sins and rose victorious over the grave to reign with His Father. It tells us that He will come again to judge both the living and the dead.
Note how Paul tells Titus, that the Lord Jesus brings salvation for all people. Consider what Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John:
(16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 ESV
The offer of salvation is extended to the whole world. This, of course, does not mean that the whole world will be saved from their sin. Some will turn their back on this offer and be condemned. Were it not for the conviction of the Spirit of God and His work in my life, I would have been among those who rejected this gospel. No one will be without excuse, however, for the cross of Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers is extended to all. No one will stand before the Saviour and say, “There was no Saviour for me. There was no sacrifice made on my behalf.” The grace of God is extended to “all people.”
Verse 12
Note here what Paul tells Titus about the gospel he spoke about in verse 11. This gospel trains us in two things.
First, the gospel of Jesus Christ trains us to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.” There is something about the power of the gospel that transforms lives. Those who lived in ungodly passions are forever changed. The gospel is not just a message but the power to live a whole new life. Through the death of Jesus on our behalf, our sins are legally pardoned. That is not all that happens, however. The Spirit of Christ is now free to indwell the believers, transforming their lives, giving them a new passion, purging out evil desires and opening their eyes and ears to the person of Jesus Christ and His work. Those who know this work of the Spirit are not the same. Ungodliness and sinful passions no longer have the same appeal. Their hearts have been renewed and brought in tune with the purpose of God. Such is the power of the gospel.
Not only does the gospel train us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, but it also trains us “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age.” This also is the work of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives. He empowers us to live for Christ. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. This self-control is the power to resist the flesh with its passions and lusts. The Holy Spirit, as our Counsellor and Teacher, teaches us how to live upright and godly lives as the Father requires. He convicts us of sin and unrighteousness and strengthens all who submit to His conviction, enabling them to walk aright.
The present age in which we live brings its temptations and trials. We can, through the gospel of Jesus Christ and its life-changing power overcome the world and live godly and upright lives. The Gospel and its life-changing power give us the ability to do this.
Verse 13
The gospel, according to Paul in verse 12, trains us in godliness. We strive for this as we await the appearing of the glory of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Note here that this appearance of the Lord Jesus is the blessed hope of all who have been transformed by the power of the gospel. It is blessed in that it is something we long to see. We await with eager anticipation for this wonderful appearance.
Observe also what Paul tells us about the Lord Jesus who will appear at the proper time.
First, His appearance is glorious. Something glorious is honourable and worthy of worship and praise.
Second, the Lord Jesus is “great.” The word great in Greek is μέγας (mégas). It can refer to something great in size, value, power, honour or any number of ways. Jesus is great in that we cannot compare with Him in character, power, glory or perfection. He is infinitely bigger than us in every way.
Third, the Lord Jesus is our God. Paul makes it quite clear that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, is not only equal to God but He is God, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit and deserving of our praise and worship.
Fourth, Jesus is our Saviour. He rescued us from hell and eternal condemnation. He laid down His life for us, taking our place so that we could be forgiven and know the joy of eternal life with Him.
Finally, Jesus is the Christ. The word Christ means anointed one. He was anointed by the Father to be our High Priest and Messiah. He stands between us and the Father bridging the gap so that we can cross over into His presence.
Verse 14
Note what Paul tells us about this glorious, great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (verse 13).
First, He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness. Lawlessness refers to the breaking of the law of God. This is where we were before we met the Lord Jesus. As lawbreakers, we were under the condemnation of God and destined for eternal punishment.
Jesus redeemed us from this penalty by paying our debt. He laid down His life and took our sentence upon Himself. With our sentence served and the debt paid, we were legally released from guilt and restored to a right relationship with the Father.
Second, Jesus purified for Himself “a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Note several points here.
Jesus purified us as a people through His redemptive work on the cross. He removed sin and guilt by legally taking our condemnation on Himself. This is what the apostle Paul told the Romans in Romans 8:
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:1-2 ESV
All my sins, past, present and future, are covered by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. I am pure before the Father in that there is now no sin Christ’s death does not cover.
Next the work of Jesus Christ makes us children of God and the possession of Jesus Christ. Paul tells Titus that Jesus “purified for Himself a people for His own possession.” He bought us through His death. We who have been forgiven belong to Him and owe everything to Him. He is our Lord and Master. We live only because of Him. We live only in Him. He is the Lord of everything I possess. My goal in life is to walk with Him, obey Him, serve Him and glorify His name in every word, thought and deed.
Finally, it is the will and purpose of Jesus, who redeemed us for His own possession, that we be a people who are zealous for good works. We are His instruments on this earth. He chooses to work through us to accomplish His great purpose. Those who have been redeemed are called to be His servants for good works on this earth.
Verse 15
The apostle ends the chapter with four challenges for Titus.
First, Paul exhorts Titus to declare what he had been writing to him. The word used here is λαλέω (laléō) and means to talk randomly with individuals. The idea appears to be that Titus was to make these matters part of his everyday conversations with those he met.
Second Titus was to exhort. The word παρακαλέω (parakaléō) is derived from “pará,” meaning to the side of and “kaléō,” meaning to call. The idea is to call someone to your side for support, and encouragement. Titus was to come alongside people to challenge, support and encourage them in their walk with God, helping them to apply the principles Paul taught in this letter.
Third, Titus was to rebuke with all authority. The word ἐλέγχω (elégchō) means to convict or to prove someone in the wrong. The idea is to expose shortcomings to correct behaviour. Titus was to do this with authority. That authority came from the Word of God and its purpose for those who wandered. Titus was not to hold back when he saw someone wander from the truth. He was to challenge them, reveal their error, and restore them to the fold.
Finally, Paul encouraged Titus not to let anyone disregard him. Titus was called by God and commissioned by the apostle to do the work of the gospel. That commission and calling demanded respect. In the Old Testament, God often sent prophets to his people. Many times they ignored or mocked those prophets. Titus was God’s messenger to the church. He was to understand the seriousness of his role and stand firm. The word translated as “disregard” is περιφρονέω (periphronéō). It means to ignore or depreciate. Titus was not to let people ignore him or the call of God on his life. He was to make his voice heard as a representative of God. He was to take the authority given to him by his calling and walk boldly in it for the glory of His Saviour.
Chapter 3
Verse 1
In verses 1-3, Paul exhorts Titus to remind believers about how they were to live in their community as servants of Jesus Christ. Here, in verse 1, he shares with him the first three points.
First, believers were to be submissive to rulers and authorities. The word ὑποτάσσω (hupotássō), used here, means to arrange oneself under another. This is a voluntary act and not forced. Believers are to respect those who have been given authority in the church and community. They are to see them as God’s servants to maintain order.
Second, believers were to be obedient. The word πειθαρχέω (peitharchéō) speaks of obeying a person in authority. This takes submission to a deeper level. The believer is not only to submit to authorities but also to obey them. One day, Jesus was asked if it was proper to pay taxes to Caesar. He responded:
(20) And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” (21) They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” – Matthew 22:20-21 ESV
It is the will of God that believers be law-abiding citizens of their nation. In doing so, they demonstrate submission to those in authority and honour God.
Third, Paul challenged believers to be ready for every good work. The good works Paul refers to here are of various kinds. What he is telling Titus is that believers should be making a difference in their communities through their efforts. The Christian life is not a life lived in church but in the real world. As we reach out in acts of compassion and concern we make a difference in our communities and demonstrate the heart of Christ.
Verse 2
Paul continues from verse 1 with his list of qualities the believer needs to demonstrate in their community.
Fourth, believers were not to speak evil of anyone. The word used here is βλασφημέω (blasphēméō), which means to blaspheme or to damage the reputation of another through the words we speak. Believers are to be in control of their words. Now admittedly, there are times when we need to expose error and falsehood. What Paul is saying, however, is that there is a time to hold one’s tongue and not use it to unnecessarily hurt another person or damage their reputation. There are times when gossip needs to stop with us and does not need to be passed on. We are not to spread bitterness and dissension.
Fifth, believers are to avoid quarrelling. The word Paul uses here is ἀˊμαχος (ámachos). It is derived from the word “a,” meaning without, and “máchē,” meaning battle or controversy. Believers are not to be people looking for a controversy or a fight. Understand that we are, as Christians, in the midst of a spiritual battle. We put on the armour of God and stand up for righteousness, but we are not a people who are always looking for controversy. We prefer peace and harmony.
Sixth, believers are to be gentle. The word ἐπιεικής (epieikḗs) refers to treating people with fairness and being patient and unassertive. Gentle people do not actively pursue their interests at the expense of another but consider the needs of their friends and neighbours even placing their interests above their own.
Seventh, believers are to demonstrate “perfect courtesy toward all people.” The word πραότης (praótēs) refers to someone who is accepting of circumstances and submissive to God and the situations or trials He allows in our life. This means that when someone else receives a position that we want for ourselves, we are accepting and do not become angry or jealous. When someone jumps ahead of us in the line, we do not become angry with them but are willing to give that place to them. When someone slaps us on one cheek, we turn the other.
Verse 3
Paul exhorts believers to demonstrate the qualities listed in verses 1 and 2 because they were themselves, at one point, in the circumstances of those they were showing gentleness and courtesy toward now.
Paul reminds Christians that they were at one time foolish, lacking understanding of the salvation and work of Jesus. Some of them were disobedient to the law and the authorities of their land. They were all disobedient to God and His purpose. Before they came to Christ they had been led astray by their passions and pleasures, living to please their flesh with its lusts. Before knowing God’s salvation and the transformation it brought, they passed their days living with malice, envy and hatred in their hearts, attitudes and words.
Paul asked believers to remember what it was like for them before they came to know Christ. He does this to help them be more compassionate and understanding toward those whose eyes were not yet open to the truth of the gospel. This does not mean that they were to excuse or justify evil behaviour, but rather understand that those who practiced these things did not know Christ and were acting out of ignorance of His work and salvation.
Verse 4
Paul has been teaching believers how to live in an ungodly society. They were to be submissive and obedient to authorities and not seek quarrels with them. He encouraged Christians to be gentle and courteous toward all people. This included the unbeliever. Paul reminds them that at one time they were themselves ungodly, foolish, disobedient and slaves to their fleshly passions and desires. Believers were to remind themselves that but for the grace of Jesus Christ, they would still be among the ungodly. The goodness and loving-kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, appeared to them, and that made all the difference. Consider two points here.
First, the only difference between the believer and the unbeliever is Jesus Christ and His work. Without Jesus, there is no eternal life. Without Him, there would be no holiness.
Second, observe the phrase: “The goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared.” My salvation is not a result of anything I did or believed. I am saved from my sin and a child of God today simply because the “goodness and loving kindness of God my Saviour appeared” to me. I did not deserve this. I was not necessarily seeking it, but God appeared. His Spirit revealed His Son to me and opened my eyes. He softened my heart and gave me understanding. I was saved because God appeared and poured out his goodness and loving-kindness upon me. I am no different in my natural self from anyone else. The only difference between me and an unbeliever is that God’s goodness and loving kindness appeared to me and transformed my life. I owe everything to Him.
Verse 5
Notice what Paul tells us about salvation here.
First, Jesus Christ saves us. There is no other means of salvation apart from the work of Jesus Christ. No effort of our own could ever make us right with God. His sacrifice alone can bring forgiveness and pardon.
Second, Jesus did not save us because of any righteous works we did. Salvation has nothing to do with how good a life I can live. Many faithful church goers do not know the salvation of Jesus Christ. The worst sinner can experience the salvation and forgiveness of God.
Third, salvation is “according to His own mercy.” That is to say, the only explanation for my salvation is the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. I did not deserve to be saved but I received His pardon. If my salvation is not based on how good I am or how well I can live, than the only other explanation is a God who willingly gives what I do not deserve.
Fourth, salvation is by the “washing of regeneration.” The word regeneration is παλιγγενεσία (paliggenesía). It comes from “pálin,” meaning again and “génesis” which speaks of origin, beginning, race or being. The sense here is that regeneration is a new beginning. It changes us and makes us a new people. In reality it is a new birth into a race of people belonging to God. Note how this regeneration takes place.
Regeneration takes place through washing. This washing is the result of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross that cleanses us from our sin and removes our shame.
Regeneration also takes place by means of the “renewal of the Holy Spirit.” We are not washed and left to fend for ourselves. God places His Holy Spirit in us to give us new life and power. Those who know the work of the Holy Spirit are no longer the people they used to be. They have new life and are being transformed day by day into the image of Jesus Christ.
Regeneration is the result of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross pardonning us from sin and the ongoing work of His Spirit who gives us spiritual life and power to live the Christian life.
Verse 6
Paul reminds believers that the Lord God poured out His Holy Spirit richly through Jesus Christ the Saviour.
The Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in us. His presence gives us life. His power is our only ability to live for Christ. His enabling is our only strength for service. We could not live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit. Human effort is tainted with sin. What He does through us, however, is powerful, godly and accepting to the Father. What a comfort it is to know that the Father is willing to pour out His Holy Spirit “richly.” We will have all we need of His presence for life, service and godliness. The problem is that we do not always avail ourselves of His person.
Note also that while the Holy Spirit is given richly to enable us to live and serve our God, there is no question as to who is the Saviour. The Holy Spirit is poured out richly “through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” It was Jesus who laid down His life for us. The Holy Spirit could not work apart from this sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ. He dwells in those who have been forgiven by the Son of God and cleansed of their sin. It is only because of the work of Jesus Christ that the indwelling ministry of His Spirit in us is possible.
Verse 7
In verse 5, Paul spoke of how we were regenerated or given new life through the pardon of Jesus Christ and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. He uses another theological term here in verse 7. He tells believers that they had been “justified by His grace.” The word justified is derived from the Greek word “díkaios” meaning just or righteous. To be justified means to be declared just or right before God. Note here how this declaration takes place. According to Paul, it is “by his grace.” The word grace is χάρις (cháris) and speaks of a free and often unmerited favour or acceptance. Paul is telling us that we have been given a right standing with God by means of the unmerited favour of God. We did not earn this standing. Christ’s death on the cross pardoned us of our sin and His Holy Spirit gives us new life. We are born again into the family of God through these works of God and are declared to be in good standing with God.
Paul goes on to tell us that this new standing with God now assures us of eternal life. We were given new life through Christ’s washing of regeneration, the renewal of the Holy Spirit, and declared to be in good standing with God all because God is a gracious God who appeared to us and made these things a reality. As we look back at what happened we confess that all of this was a wonderful work of God despite our unworthiness.
Verse 8
Note how Paul begins with the words, “The saying is trustworthy.” The Greek word used here is λόγος (lógos) which means word or intelligence. It can also refer to a discourse. Paul is telling Titus that the discourse he has just had with him in this chapter is trustworthy. What has Paul been saying:
- It was the loving kindness and goodness of Jesus Christ that saved us (verse 4)
- We were not saved because of any personal righteousness of our own (verse 4)
- We were regenerated or given new life through the washing of Christ’s pardon and the renewing ministry of His Holy Spirit (verse 5)
- God richly pours out His Holy Spirit on us through the work of Christ giving us new life (verse 6)
- We are declared right with God (justified) as an act of grace on God’s part and not because we merited this standing ourselves (verse 7)
- We become heirs of eternal life by means of the death of Jesus Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (verse 7)
These sayings are trustworthy and cannot be questioned. Note what Paul tells Titus about these truths.
First, those who believe in these truths would be stimulated to good works. This is not only because they want to follow their Saviour but also because the work of the Spirit of God in them would motivate them in service.
Second, these truths would be profitable for people. They would be profitable because they were true and glorified the work of Christ and His Spirit. They were profitable because those who understand, accept and experience them are true children of God. They are profitable because they take the focus off human effort and place it on intimacy with God and the work of His Spirit for godliness and service.
Verse 9
The apostle has been speaking to Titus about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how He saved us apart from good works, washed us of our sins, gave us new life, and renewed us by the Holy Spirit. That wonderful message was trustworthy and profitable for all people. Titus was to preach this message wherever he went. He was, however, to avoid four types of speech that were not profitable to anyone.
First, Titus was to avoid “foolish controversies.” The word foolish is μωρός (mōrós) from which we get the English word “moron.” It refers to something worthless and stupid. The word controversies is ζήτησις (zḗtēsis) and speaks of a philosophical debate or an argument over something that did not necessarilly have a basis in truth or could never be authoritatively proven. Titus had an authoritative guide to truth in the Scriptures. This was to be his focus rather than intellectual debates and opinions on issues that had no value for godliness.
Second, Titus was to avoid genealogies. The word γενεαλογία (genealogía) refers not just to a list of ancestors, but the traditions, teachings, stories and myths about those ancestors. These stories became more than historical documents but were treated as authoritative guides to life and practice. The temptation for the Jews was to base their lives and practices as much on these traditions and teachings as they did on Scripture. Paul is reminding Titus here that these genealogical traditions, teachings and myths were not Scripture, nor did they carry authority.
Third, Titus was to avoid “dissensions.” The word ἐˊρις (éris) speaks about strife or contention. Some individuals seem to be prone to seeking controversy in the church. Rather than seeking harmony on the essentials of the faith, they tend to divide over the non-essentials.
Fourth, Titus was to avoid “quarrels about the law.” Remember that in those days many believers had come from a Jewish background. They had, for many years, lived according to the Law of Moses. Issues such as circumcision, the Sabbath, food laws and special Jewish celebrations were all very much part of their tradition. Then there were the Gentiles who came to the Lord apart from this background. The question of whether these Gentiles needed to follow the Jewish tradition and laws was hotly debated. Titus was not to get involved in these quarrels as they divided the body of Christ. Our salvation is not based on how well we observe the Mosaic Law, nor is our maturity in Christ. There would be believers who observed certain aspects of the Jewish law and others who did not. This was to be expected in the church and believers needed to respect the various positions in these matters.
All of these discussions about human philosophies, genealogies and Jewish law were unprofitable and worthless according to Paul. That is not to say, they had no ultimate spiritual value nor would they be useful in drawing a person closer to Christ.
Verse 10
The church is not free from problems. As we saw in verse 9, some individuals stirred up division, quarrels and strife over genealogical records, Jewish law, and philosophical ideas. These individuals did not promote harmony in the church but created division and chaos instead. Note what Paul tells Titus to do when he encountered such people in the church.
First, Titus was to warn them about the division they were creating. This warning would likely take the form of a private conversation with the individual concerned to expose what they were doing, and how it was causing division. At that time they would likely be encouraged to stop this divisiveness.
Second, if, after that conversation, the individual continued to stir up controversy and division, Titus was to go a second time and speak to them once again, challenging them to realize what they were doing and encouraging them to stop.
If, after this second admonition, the individual did not listen, Paul tells Titus that he was to “have nothing more to do with him.” The apostle does not go into detail about what it meant to have nothing more to do with this individual. Suffice it to say that the person concerned was harming the church and its testimony in the community. The body of Christ needed to distance itself from this individual for its good. That process of distancing may take several forms. What is clear is that the individual had to be removed lest he continue to divide and cause problems for the church as a whole.
Verse 11
Paul says three things about the divisive person here in this verse.
First, such a person is warped. The word ἐκστρέφω (ekstréphō) is derived from “ek,” meaning “out,” and “stréphō,” meaning “to turn.” The idea is that the person is twisted out of shape. Such a person diverts from the truth of God’s Word and lives contrary to His purpose.
Second, the divisive person is sinful. To sin is to miss the mark. A divisive person is missing God’s purpose and intention for his or her life. They are walking contrary to God’s purpose. We need to seek God’s forgiveness when we cause division in the church.
Finally, a divisive person is “self-condemned.” Divisive people harm not only the church but themselves. Their divisiveness distances themselves from the other members of the church. They find no pleasure in the body of Christ and ultimately alienate themselves from the blessings of God.
Verse 12
Note Paul’s desire to see Titus personally. He tells him that he was going to send either Artemas or Tychicus to him and when they arrived, Titus was to take the opportunity to visit Paul in Nicopolis. We see here something of Paul’s personal side and his love for his coworkers.
We know very little about Artemas in the Bible. This is the only reference to his name. From historical records, he was a bishop in the city of Lystra.
Tychicus, was a travelling companion of Paul (see Acts 20:4). Paul had enough confidence in him to send him to Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:21). He described him to the Ephesians as a “beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.” We learn from Colossians 4:7-8 that Paul also sent him to Colossae.
The city of Nicopolis was likely located on the western coast of Greece. It was here that Paul determined to spend the winter as travel was more restricted during that season.
Verse 13
The apostle encourages Titus to send Zenas and Apollos on their way.
We know nothing about Zenas apart from the fact that he is described as a lawyer here in verse 13. It is unclear if he continued to practice his profession. He was likely a believer ministering alongside Apollos at this time.
Apollos was a well-known preacher of the gospel and co-worker with Paul. Some believe that they brought this letter to Titus but we do not have confirmation of this in the text.
Titus was to send these two men on from Crete. He was to do so, seeing that they lacked nothing for their journey. The implication is that the church would send them off with all they needed for their trip. Paul does not specify where they were going after leaving Crete.
Verse 14
The apostle challenged Titus to teach those under his care to devote themselves to good works, and minister to urgent needs in their community. The church is not only to be a place where the truth is preached but also an instrument of Christ to care for the needy. Truth and “good works” must walk side by side and complement each other. Paul wanted to see the church “devoted” to good works. These works were to be a priority for them so that they would not be unfruitful. You cannot keep sound doctrine to yourself. If you know the Lord, and accept the gospel, then it will change your life and you will not be able to hold it in. You will find yourself demonstrating this in how you live your life and what you say.
Verse 15
Paul concludes his letter with a final greeting from all who were with him. He does not list their names. By sending his greetings, he affirms Titus and the believers in Crete and shows them that they are part of a much larger body of brothers and sisters in Christ concerned for each other.
He asks Titus to greet those who loved the body of Christ or “those who love us in the faith.” Once again this shows that there is a special relationship between all believers in Jesus Christ.
Paul ends by praying for the grace of God to be with them all. In speaking of grace, Paul reminds the believers that while they were all undeserving, God’s unmerited favour was theirs in abundance.
