Titus 1:5-9

I. THE CARE OF THE CHURCH
1:5-16

1.THE SELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS Titus 1:5-9

Text 1:5-9

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; 6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; 8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled; 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

Thought Questions 1:5-9

16.

When had Paul left Titus on the isle of Crete? Can we refer to the Acts account for the time mentioned here?

17.

Did Paul begin the work on Crete? Give a reason for your answer.

18.

Was Titus invested with apostolic authority for straightening out the difficulties in the Cretan churches?

19.

Do we have men today with the same authority and responsibility?

20.

Was Titus to accomplish the selection as well as the appointment? How?

21.

Are we to understand that since Titus was to appoint elders in every city there were several churches in each city over which one set of elders ruled? What are we to understand by the expression every city?

22.

What is a chargeas in Titus 1:5 b?

23.

Someone is always ready to cast blame upon the elderhow, then, could a man be blameless?

24.

Are the men to be considered all older meni.e., in age? How old?

25.

What if the prospective elder is a widower, does this exclude him?

26.

If the children are grown before a man becomes a Christian and such children fail to become believers, does this eliminate the father from the eldership?

27.

Are we to understand the terms elder and bishop are here used to refer to the same office? Why use two terms?

28.

The elder is also called God's steward. Show how this is true.

29.

Isn-'t everyone self-willed? What is meant by this expression?

30.

Wasn-'t Jesus soon angry at all sin? Explain.

31.

What is a brawler?

32.

There must be some distinction between a brawler and a strikerwhat is it?

33.

How could Titus or the church decide if a man was or was not greedy of filthy lucre?

34.

What are the indications of hospitality?

35.

The elder is to be a lover of gooddoes this refer to persons? i.e., a lover of good men?

36.

What are the indications of the lack of a sober mind? Are we to equate this with wisdom?

37.

In what matters would an elder need to be just?

38.

If the elder met all of the qualifications so far stated, wouldn-'t he already be holy? Explain,

39.

Show how the qualifications of self-control would be particularly pertinent to the Cretans,

40.

What is the faithful word according to the teaching in Titus 1:9?

41.

Show the distinction between exhorting in the sound doctrine and convicting the gainsayers.

Paraphrase 1:5-9

5 For this purpose I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest supply the things wanting in the churches there, and in particular ordain, in every city where there are churches, elders, as I commanded thee. I will, therefore, describe the character and qualifications of the persons thou oughtest to make elders.
6 If anyone be in the eye of the world blameless, the husband of one wife at a time, having children who are Christians, and who are not accused of riotous living, nor are disobedient to their parents; persons of this character ordain bishops, that they may assist thee in opposing the Judaizers,
7 For a bishop should be free from blame, as becomes the steward of the mysteries of God. He should not be headstrong nor ready to fall into a passion, nor addicted to wine; not a striker of those who displease him; not one who loves money so much that he makes gain by base methods;
8 But, instead of loving money, hospitable, a lover of good men, prudent in conduct, just in his dealings, holy in speech, and temperate in the use of every sensual pleasure.
9 He should hold fast the true Christian doctrine as he hath been taught it by the apostles, that he may be able, by wholesale teaching, both to instruct them who desire instruction, and to confute false teachers who speak against the truth to overturn it.

Comment 1:5-9

Titus 1:5. Paul now takes up the burden of the letter. Paul had been on the isle of Crete working for Christ. What he had not completed he now wanted Titus to complete. To set in order means to set straight as a doctor would set a broken bone. This is a general expression having reference to any and all needs of the congregations on the isle of Crete. This verse gives us the historical setting for the Epistle. Titus is working on the island of Crete when Paul writes to him. Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean, situated almost equidistant from Europe, Asia, and Africa. A high state of civilization once flourished there, but by New Testament times the moral level of its inhabitants was deplorable. Their ferocity and fraud were widely attested; their falsehood was proverbial; the wine of Crete was famous and drunkenness prevailed. (D. Edmond Heibert)

By reading Titus 3:12 we can know Paul was leaving Titus on a temporary basis. He planned on sending another worker to replace him.

We can not imagine there was anything of an arbitrary nature in the work of Titus. Correction was done by the means of instruction and example. But let us not forget that deficiencies and dislocations were corrected by Titus.

The appointment of elders is a specific work to be carried out in every church in every city on the island. As to the method of appointment, we refer you to our special study on the subject. We are particularly concerned with the qualifications of the elders.

Titus 1:6. We shall follow the same procedure here as in our study in I Timothyi.e., a consideration of the qualifications in the order given by Paul, with no attempt on our part to group them (not that we have any objection to such groupingsee Special Studies).

blameless: This word means to be unaccused. It will soon be known by those who are concerned in selecting candidates for the office, whether such persons are accused or not. Has the prospective elder conducted himself in such a manner that no ugly stories concerning him are circulating in the community?

the husband of one wife. We have a special study upon this subject; to this study we refer all those who wish to pursue this theme further, Suffice it to say that there are several views on this verse: (1) that the elder must be married; (2) that he must remain a widower if his wife dies; (3) that he must not have more than one wife at a time, We ask you to thoughtfully decide which view is correct. Read 1 Timothy 5:14; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39 as to second marriages,

having children that believe. Since elders would be chosen from older men, it would be natural to assume that most of them would have children; and that such children would be old enough to be Christians. It is not right or healthy for the elder to have pagan children. If the prospective elder accepted Christ late in life, he might not be at fault for the unbelief of his children, but he can not ignore his relationship to them. If his children are pagan in their attitude and conduct, it will reflect on him and his service to Christ.

who are not accused of riot or unruly. If the elder can not win his own children to Christ, how could he instruct others? The family is the nursery of the church, and these two act and react upon each other so that a bad or weak father can never be an elder. (Lipscomb)

The word riot means inability to save; the second word suggests insubordination. A father who has a prodigal son under his roof will have a very difficult, yea, impossible time in attempting to lead others into a life of self-discipline and holiness.

Titus 1:7. The terms bishop and elder are used interchangeably as seen from the use of the word for in this verse. Verse seven is a conclusion to verses five and six. In verse five the term elder is used, then in reference to the same office the term bishop is used in verse seven, The men who hold this office are to be older in the faith and are to exercise oversight for the flock of God. The word blameless appears twice because of its inclusive quality.

God's steward would seem a bit strange inasmuch as his service is to and for the churchone would imagine the elder would be called the church's steward. The church is the household of God. The elder serves in this household as a steward. In such a responsible position he must be without blame; moreover, it is required of a steward that he give an account of his stewardship.
In verse seven we have five negative qualifications:

not self-willed: This has reference to pride. The elder must not be arrogant. The self-loving man will have little regard for others, except when they enhance his estimate of himself.

not soon angry: There is no place in the eldership for a hothead. The wrath of man never did work the righteousness of God (James 1:20). In the eldership the wrath of man will work havoc with His saints.

no brawler: Literally, not one who sits along side wine. Of course, the reference here is to the influence of wine. The bishop must leave wine alone.

no striker: The bishop must not be a pugilist. Discussions are never settled when fists are used to settle them. Corporal punishment should be confined to small children who have not reached the age where other types of reasoning can be used. The elder who would resort to physical violence is himself immature, and is using tactics reserved for his younger children.

not greedy of filthy lucre: Not eager of shameful gain. Here is some hint as to the payment of elders for their service. Perhaps we should say that Paul assumed Titus knew that elders would, in their office, have opportunity to mishandle funds and thus included this comment. We should say this quality of greediness should be no part of a Christian's life in or out of the office of overseer.

Titus 1:8. In contrast to the five negative qualifications in verse seven are the six positive qualifications in verse eight:

given to hospitality: The elder is to be generous to guests; to entertain strangers with kindness and without reward. No one sets a stronger example than the overseers of the church. A general friendly and out-going attitude should prevail in the assembly and in the personal contact of each member. Let the elder set the pace in this regard. 1 Peter 4:9 and Galatians 6:10 indicate that such an attitude is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian.

a lover of good: The elder must not only be a lover of strangersas inferred in the preceding qualificationbut also a lover of all that is good and holy. This is a cultivated quality not often found, It is obtained by setting the mind upon those things which are good, and lovely, and just, and of good report (Cf. Philippians 4:8), It is a fruit of love which taketh not account of evil, but rejoiceth with the truth (Cf. 1 Corinthians 13:5-6).

sober-minded:The overseer should resist mind intoxication. Balanced judgment is such a needed quality in carrying out the important work of feeding and protecting the flock of God. There are some men who are compulsive drinkers and others who, under the influence of ambition, are compulsive thinkersfrom both may the kingdom be delivered!

just: To be fair at all times with all people is such a commendable quality. How tragic it is when elders are partial and prejudiced instead of just and fair in their judgment. Many a congregation has been split asunder for lack of this important quality.

holy:The steward of God must be unpolluted; no man is worthy of the office who can be corrupted by Satan, The elder is to so keep his heart that no corrupt speech would come from his mouththat no sensual thoughts would stain his mind. When examined by God or man, the elder should be pure in character. There is a wonderful beauty in holiness, such beauty should be seen in the life of the overseer.

self-controlled:This is literally, in control of strength. The elder is a strong manthis is one thingbut to be in control of this strength is quite another. There are many men who possess great capacities, but mastering such and marshaling them into the service of Christ, is the need of the church. Joseph is a good example of self-control. He did not allow men, circumstance or lust, to control himhe controlled them!

Titus 1:9. This verse has been taken by many to be a commentary of 1 Timothy 3:2in which Paul states that the elder is to be apt to teach. There must be some purpose or object in the qualifications. We believe such a purpose is stated here: holding to the faithful word. that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

The expression faithful word is to be understood as a synonym for the gospel or the faith, The elder is to both live and teach the faithful word. He is to hold to it as a pattern for teaching and as a philosophy of life.

How shall we understand the phrase which is according to the teaching? Is this a reference to the teaching of the elderthus meaning that the elder must hold on to the teaching which was imparted to him. Or are we to understand that Paul is saying that -the elder must hold to God's Word which is in accordance with the recognized body of truth taught by the apostles-' (cf. Acts 2:42)? (Kent) We much prefer the latter interpretation.

In so handling God's Word he will be prepared to encourage the saints and refute false teachers. To exhort means to encourage or to incite to action. The gainsayers are those who would speak against the truth of God, or in any way oppose the teachings of the Gospel.

Fact Questions 1:5-9

12.

What is the meaning of the expression set in order?

13.

Give two facts about the isle of Crete.

14.

Why do we say that the stay of Titus on Crete was only of a temporary nature?

15.

What do we mean by saying that we do not believe Titus was arbitrary in his appointing of elders?

16.

Explain in your own words three of the negative qualifications.

17.

What is the meaning of riot or unruly?

18.

Prove that the term bishop and elder refer to the same office.

19.

In what sense is the elder God's steward?

20.

Explain in your own words four of the positive qualifications.

21.

What is the faithful word of Titus 1:9?

22.

What is the two-fold task in the teaching of the elder?