Titus 1
CHAPTER 1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth- the truth which is ultimately all about reverence towards God. 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal; 3 but in His own time manifested His word in the message with which I was entrusted, according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 to Titus, my true child after a common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.
Paul’s specific advice to Titus about the church in Crete
5 The reason I left you in Crete was so you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I instructed you- 6 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For the bishop, as God's steward, must be blameless, not arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain; 8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, self controlled, just, holy, disciplined, 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the doctrine, that he may be able to minister comfort using the sound doctrine and also refute those who oppose it.
10 For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped. Men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they should not, all for money's sake. 12 One of their prophets said: Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. 13 This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and the commandments of mere men who aim to turn away others from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Commentary
1:2 Immortality is a hope, promised by God to those in Christ- we therefore have no inherent immortality or ‘immortal soul’.
1:9 A church leader must be familiar with Scripture- not just a good presenter or charming personality.
1:14 Much false doctrine entered Christianity as a result of Jewish infiltration (v. 10). The ideas of a personally pre-existent Messiah, the need to keep the Sabbath and Jewish food laws, a personal Satan, demons, life after death in Heaven etc. can all be traced to the influence of an apostate Judaism.
1:15 Thus sometimes, in some areas, the same actions can be performed by people, but for some they are sinful and for others they aren’t. It depends upon our worldview, motivations and conscience.
