December 19: Titus 1-3

December 19, Titus 1-3

Titus intro from the ESV Bible: “This pastoral letter from Paul to Titus was intended to offer encouragement and wisdom as Titus endured ongoing opposition from the ungodly and from legalists within his congregations. Paul instructed Titus to complete his assigned job of establishing overseers (elders) for the churches under his care. He described what sort of people these leaders should be, and how all believers should live in relation to each other as well as in their interactions with nonbelievers. Proper Christian behavior is based on the fact that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” and therefore those who believe in Christ are to “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” as they await his return (2:11–13). Paul probably wrote this letter in the 60s a.d.”

Titus 1 Greeting. Paul wrote this letter to Titus, another one of Paul’s sons in the faith. The mission is for the servants of God to be out there and ready “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior…” Likewise, we are to do the same. Paul left Titus in Crete to build up the saints and train them

Qualifications for Elders. Like Paul told Timothy, he gives another list of qualifications of church leaders. Paul’s introduction to the list is a charge to Titus to clean things up and appoint elders. They are only qualified IF they meet the said criteria. Bakers Commentary breaks it down for us practically.

“The requirements listed occur in three groups:

(1) The person who is going to occupy such an important post must be of deservedly high reputation and if married (which will generally be the case) a good family-man (verse 6).

(2) He must not be the type of person who in his desire to please himself has lost interest in other people (except to vex them!) and who, if embroiled in a quarrel, is ever ready with his fists. A list of negative characteristics is given: qualities which the overseer must not have (verse 7).

(3) All his actions must give evidence of the fact that both in deed and in doctrine he wishes to be a blessing to others. A list of positive characteristics is given: qualities which the overseer must have (verses 8 and 9).

The three groups of requirements pertain to people who as to their age and dignity are called elders, and as to their task are called overseers. Though it is true that the text has the singular “the overseer,” this “the” is generic, one member representing the entire class viewed from the point of view of a definite characteristic (see N.T.C. on I and II Thessalonians, p. 55, footnote 41). One might paraphrase the meaning as follows, “For, any overseer, by reason of the very fact that he should live up to his name of overseer and should manage God’s own house, (being God’s steward; see on 1 Tim. 1:4; cf. 1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Peter 4:10), must be blameless,” etc. That for the author of the Pastorals the terms elder and overseer indicate the same person also follows from the fact that essentially the same requirements for an elder as are given here in Titus 1:5, 6—that he be blameless, one wife’s husband, and have well-behaved children—are listed with reference to the overseer in 1 Tim. 3:2, 4. The hierarchical idea—the several “priests” and their “parishes,” outranked and governed by the one “bishop” and his “diocese”—is foreign to the Pastorals.”

Paul goes on to warn Timothy about those who are not worthy and causing trouble. Timothy is to use his authority to silence them because basically, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” They say they know God but literally deny Him by their lives. Have nothing of this in your own life. 

Titus 2 Teach Sound Doctrine. Like I have said many times before, if you claim Christ you live Christ. This chapter is about our beliefs matching up with our lives.

For the Older Christian Men: “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” They are to be an example of a sanctified life.

For the Older Christian Women: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Again, lead by example and teach the next generation - not hide away in retirement! The younger women should be trained by the more experienced women how life looks. How to stay at home and take care of the family and submit to their husbands so that the Word of God may not be reviled.

For the Younger Christian Men: “Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.” Makes sense! Even back then, young men lacked control and need to keep everything in check to be a model of Christ and not give into every desire. 

For Titus: “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Be a model for them to follow and quiet the adversaries. 

For the Christian Slaves: “Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Do your work without complaining and do it with full submission.

This is all done by the power of the Spirit and the Grace of God. We are to wait for the blessed hope of the coming of Jesus Christ. So, Titus and the Christians who are abiding in these things, “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Titus 3 Be Ready for Every Good Work. It is because of Jesus that we are to live this way and we are to live this way. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Do you see the absolute treasure and gift we have in Jesus? It is Him that we are to live for as it is for us that He died for. Paul warns Timothy again about those that are being divisive: “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.  As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,  knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Paul and Jesus both tell us to forgive and help each other. But for those that have already gone through church discipline (1 Corinthians 5) and still continue to cause problems, have nothing to do with them. Do not be hasty in this - this is not an excuse to have your own way, but rather to approach these situations carefully and act out in a godly manner

To sum it all up: 

• We must be careful when appointing elders - it is not a popularity contest or anything of the sort. It is a high office that is to be respected.
• Do you  profess to know God, but perhaps deny him by your works? Look at your life and see where your heart is and your life is. 
• Stay at home moms. This is the expectation for women with a family. 
• Let your lives be lived in a manner worthy of the name of Jesus Christ.