The apostle's statement of his character, his hope, and his function, 1-3. His address to Titus, and the end for which he left him in Crete, 4,5. The qualifications requisite in those who should be appointed elders in the Lord’s church, 6-9. False teachers, 10,11. The character of the Cretans, and h... [ Continue Reading ]
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, —Paul begins this epistle by not only referencing his apostolic authority, but also stating his servitude to his Lord and Master. Though he was not one of the original twelve apostles, Galatians 2:7-9 shows that Paul was the apostle to the Gent... [ Continue Reading ]
hope of eternal life, — Paul preached of the faithful Christian’s reward of eternal life in Heaven with God. This is not an empty hope but a hope with expectation. Having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust (Acts 24:15... [ Continue Reading ]
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, —When God deemed that all things were ready, He delivered His word to the world through the preaching of the Gospel. which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God—The Lord spoke directly to Paul on several occasions, (Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
To Titus,—Paul wrote this epistle to Titus but it is valid for Christians of every generation. [mine] own son after the common faith: — It is likely that Paul converted Titus on his first missionary journey. Paul exhibits his great love for Titus both with this familial greeting and with the blessin... [ Continue Reading ]
For this cause left I thee in Crete,— Paul had been working with Titus in Crete but left him behind with two tasks. (1) that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, —Titus was to straighten out the things that were out of order, such as false teachers and misconceptions of the churc... [ Continue Reading ]
The following characteristics, other than those regarding marital or parental status, are characteristics that any faithful Christian should strive to possess. If any be blameless,— This means that the elder is to be above reproach. He is not expected to be perfect but to live his life in such a way... [ Continue Reading ]
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;— He must manage the affairs of the congregation righteously. A steward is one who has been given the charge of caring for that which belongs to another. The bishop will have to give an account before God, one day, regarding his leadership, guida... [ Continue Reading ]
But a lover of hospitality, — He is to recognize the needs of others and have the desire to care for those needs. A hospitable person is one that loves the company of others and desires to spend time fellowshipping his brethren.a lover of good men, —The ASV renders this passage –a lover of good. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, —He is not only to be well educated in God’s word, but he is to cling to that word. It is not enough that he is able to quote scriptures but he is to cling to those words. His life should reflect the teachings of our Lord.that he may be able by... [ Continue Reading ]
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, —In his life and work there will be many who challenge the truths of God’s word. The elder is to be equipped and ready to answer those challenges. The vain talkers words are empty. specially they of the circumcision: —There was evidently a kn... [ Continue Reading ]
Whose mouths must be stopped, —-literally, "muzzled," or "bridled" as an unruly beast. It was necessary for Titus to stop the false teachers. Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee (Proverbs 4:24). who subvert whole houses, — Families were being led away from Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
One of themselves, [even] a prophet of their own, said, —This is a reference to the Cretan poet, Epimenides who lived about 600 B.C. It is a hexameter line and Callimachus quoted the first part of it in a Hymn to Zeus. It is said that Epimenides suggested to the Athenians the erection of statues to... [ Continue Reading ]
This witness is true. — Paul confirms this particular testimony of the Cretan Epimenides. What Epimenides said of them nearly 600 years before continued still to be true. Their original character had undergone no moral change.Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; —Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. —Jewish fables had been taught for many years and had displaced the commandments of God. Titus was to bring these false teachers to the truth so that they would turn away from these fables. They must turn to the tru... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto the pure all things [are] pure:—Jesus said, Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). In the "Jewish fables" just referred to were rigid regulations concerning foods and purifications. Hence Paul adds, "It is not food that makes one impure. To the pure all things ar... [ Continue Reading ]
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. —There are many who profess to be servants of God but fail to obey His commands. Their actions and lives expose them for the unprofitable servants that they are. Abom... [ Continue Reading ]