TITUS
Chapter One
(vs 1) "Paul" -- Identifies himself as an apostle. Paul does this in
most of his letters. Thus, his message is Heaven
approved.
"Servant" -- A bond servant, or slave. Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10;
Phil. 1:1. In contrast to a slave to sin. Rom. 6:17.
"the faith" -- the gospel. Paul's acceptance of the same
gospel that made the Cretians "God's elect." It is by
obedience to that message (the gospel) that mankind
becomes God's elect.
"knowledge..." -- It is through the knowledge of God's truths
that "godliness" is produced in each life.
(vs 2) "hope" -- expectation of eternal life in God's presence.
"cannot lie" -- Heb. 6:13-20. God will keep His promises.
"before times eternal" -- The plan was made before the world
was created. Eph. 3:10-12. When one obeys the gospel,
he/she becomes a part of those whom the Lord has
promised to save. All who would come to Christ in
obedience will have eternal life.
(vs 3) "his own seasons..." Gal. 4:4. God's timetable, when all
things were ready, God's plan was revealed, through
the Gospel.
"intrusted" -- Paul was intrusted with the responsibility of
taking the gospel to the Gentiles.
"our" -- Christ died for all. Rom 5:8-9. But, only those who
respond and obey shall reap the benefits of His death.
(vs 4) "my true child" -- Most likely referring to the fact that
Paul had converted Titus.
"common faith" -- Both Paul and Titus had obeyed the same
commandments to become children of God.
"grace" -- unmerited favor.
"peace" -- the results of being right with God.
NOTE: In verse 3, Paul refers to "God our saviour." In
verse 4, He refers to "Christ, our saviour." Both
the Father and the Son are involved in our
salvation.
(vs 5) "left in Crete" -- Paul had spent some time in Crete, but was
not able to stay long enough for the Cretians churches
to mature and appoint elders in each congregation,
thus....
"set in order..." -- that which was lacking.
"appoint elders" -- select men for the oversight of each
congregation.
"gave thee charge" -- an important work.
(vs 6) "blameless" -- guilty of no wrong. Their character has no
obvious flaw (from within and without). All see this
man as one with high morals and integrity.
"Husband of one wife" -- Not two, not zero, but one.
"children that believe" -- Knows how to raise and train
children to observe the right way. The same qualities
of overseeing the home and the church are needed. Does
his wife and children respect him?
NOTE: It is my personal observation that "believing
children" involves obedience to the gospel.
"riot or unruly" -- practices self control. Does not keep the
company of evil people.
(vs 7) "as God's steward" -- One who serves. Also, one who will give
an accounting to his Lord.
"not self-willed" -- No place for pride; not arrogant. Not
one who must have his own way every time.
"not soon angry" -- One who is restrained, under control at
all times.
"no brawler" -- Not given to the use of wine and/or partying.
"no striker" -- will not strike out against an objector. The
one who would resort to physical violence is immature.
"not greedy of filthy lucre" -- Not anxious to gain material
things; especially by ill means.
NOTE: 1 Tim. 5:17 -- "double honor" indicates that the
elder may receive financial support from the
congregation.
(vs 8) "hospitality" -- Cordial and friendly toward others.
"a lover of good" -- A benevolent heart. No strife.
"sober-minded" -- serious minded; not frivolous; dependable.
"just" -- Fair to all people, at all times. No partiality.
"holy" -- devoted to God. Pure in character.
"self-controlled" -- Regardless of the situation, able to
control his emotions, his actions, etc.
(vs 9) "holding..." -- must have a good knowledge of God's Word and
be able to use it effectively.
"faithful word" -- the Gospel.
"able...to exhort" -- encourage the brethren.
"convict the gainsayers" -- those who oppose the gospel. The
elders are to expose false teachers.
(vs 10) "unruly men" -- Not accepting the sound doctrine, they act by
their own rules. 1 Tim. 1:6-7.
"vain talkers" -- empty, insubordinate.
"deceivers" -- seeking to lead astray.
"of the circumcision" -- Judaizing Christians. Those who
sought to bind circumcision and certain feast days.
(vs 11) "mouths stopped" -- show the error of their teachings.
"overthrow whole houses" -- A false teacher is not content to
believe false doctrine, but is ever anxious to lead
others astray also.
"for filthy lucre..." -- monetary gain.
(vs 12) It is thought that this has reference to Epimenides, a
Cretean prophet (600 B.C.).
"liars" -- known for their inability to be truthful.
"evil beasts" -- sensual, fleshly appetite,
"idle gluttons" -- seeking satisfactions through the flesh.
They were the materialists of their day.
(vs 13) Paul agrees with their own prophet.
Titus had the responsibility of exposing their sins and
leading them to be "sound in the faith."
(vs 14) "Jewish fables" -- traditions and myths handed down. Idle
superstitions.
"commandments of men" -- no divine authority for their
teachings.
"turn away from" -- have no part in them.
(vs 15) Remember, keep things in their context.
Most likely the Judiazing teachers were teaching a
continuation of the law concerning eating certain
meats. It is the heart that is impure, not the eating
of meats. "All things" must be kept in the context.
because obviously there are some things which are
impure.
"them defiled and unbelieving" -- those seeking to bind parts
of the Old Testament on these converts.
"conscience" -- when the conscience is defiled, man can do
nothing to please God.
(vs 16) "They profess" -- profession without obedience is detestable.
"by their works" -- What they do. They claim to be followers
of the Master, but their actions deny it.
James says, "...show me thy faith apart from they
works, and I by my works will show thee my faith."
Jas. 2:18.
"abominable" -- despised, outcast.
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