Paul's letter to Titus greatly emphasizes the truth that is according to godliness and the hope of eternal life. He knew that godly order needed to be established among the heathen who had been saved out of gross sin of every kind.
He refers to the scope of God's counsels, those before the world began. They embrace salvation from our sins, our present walk in an unbelieving world, and eternal life which God had promised before the world began.
Paul left Titus at Crete to ordain elders in every city so that the relationships between saints and the conduct of each in daily life might be in keeping with the tremendous calling to godliness and eternal life. Because of the habits these particular saints had by nature, definite superintendence was required, for order had to be established in the assemblies.
He set forth the qualifications for elders and deacons as being already a part of the life of an elder, because so few of the saints, being newly converted, could qualify. Besides having outward merits, they were to hold fast the faithful Word. The elder was not only to hold fast the truth he had learned but to be able, by sound teaching, to convince gainsayers. Most of these gainsayers were unbelieving Jews.
The grace that came to us through Christ our Savior made peace for us at the cross. Unbelievers had a defiled mind and conscience.