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Titus

From: Short Sketches of the Books of the Bible

By: Nicolas Simon

Paul’s Epistle to Titus, like those to Timothy, is addressed to an individual. In all three the subject matter is godly order. Likewise, each brings before us a Saviour God. However, whereas the Epistles to Timothy are occupied with the maintenance of sound doctrine and the internal condition of the assembly, the Epistle to Titus is concerned with that which is outward—our conduct as seen by the world. Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to set in order the things that remained and to establish elders in every city (Titus 1:5⁵For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)). As a people, the Cretans were known for their unruly behavior, a fact attested to by one of their own poets (Titus 1:12¹²One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (Titus 1:12)).

Outline

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:1, 2¹Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; ²In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (Titus 1:1‑2)). A true Christian is not an adherent of a religion; he is one of God’s elect. His walk is to be an open acknowledgement of the truth; he lives in hope of eternal life, a life that takes us beyond this world.

In chapter 1, Titus (in contrast to Timothy) is explicitly charged to establish elders (overseers; vs 7) in every city, appropriate characteristics for whom are given (Titus 1:6-9⁶If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. ⁷For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; ⁸But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; ⁹Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:6‑9)). It was important that an overseer could, by sound doctrine, exhort and convince the gainsayers. There were many unruly and vain talkers, deceivers, particularly among the Jews, that subverted the people, teaching things that they ought not, for base gain (Titus 1:10, 11¹⁰For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: ¹¹Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (Titus 1:10‑11)).

In the second chapter, we have our conduct in personal relationships: the aged men, the aged women, the young women, and the young men—of which Titus was to be a pattern. Servants (bondmen) are exhorted “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10¹⁰Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (Titus 2:10)).

It is the grace that saves that provides the foundation for the Christian walk, not law. Furthermore, we know that Christ Himself will appear in all His glory—our Saviour “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13, 14¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ¹⁴Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13‑14)). In these verses we have the foundation, the walk, and the hope of every believer (Titus 2:11-14¹¹For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹²Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; ¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ¹⁴Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11‑14)).

In chapter 3, we have the Christian’s conduct in this world, especially before those in authority (Titus 3:1¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (Titus 3:1)). They were not to speak evil of any man, nor to be contentious, but gentle, showing meekness. They had been saved out of that which they were formally, not because of their own works of righteousness, but through the kindness and love of a Saviour God. We should act towards others as God has acted towards us. The Christian has a new life that acts in the power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:2-7²To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. ³For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ⁴But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, ⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:2‑7)).

Foolish questions, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law were to be shunned as unprofitable and vain (Titus 3:9⁹But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (Titus 3:9)). When a man chooses his own opinions over the Word of truth, causing division, he is a heretic and is to be rejected after a first and second admonition (Titus 3:10¹⁰A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (Titus 3:10)).

It was not the Apostle’s intent that Titus should remain on Crete. Paul would send Artemas or Tychicus to him, at which time he was to come to Paul at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12¹²When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. (Titus 3:12)).

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Short Sketches of the Books of the Bible

• New Testament, The

• Acts of the Apostles, The

• First and Second Corinthians

• Philippians

• First and Second Thessalonians

• First and Second Timothy

• Titus