Titus 1:1-16
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 Ina hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting,b and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men,c sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word asd he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.e
1 Paul writes this letter in the character of a slave. This shows that the epistle deals with service. He adds the title apostle, to give weight to his injunctions.
2 Eonian life, usually called "everlasting" life, is here put, as is usual in Paul's epistles, as a future expectation, God promised it before the times of the "evers" or eons and it will last until the eons come to an end (Heb_9:26).
4 Titus is not mentioned in the narrative of the Acts, doubtless because his case and ministry were not at all in line with the subject of that treatise. Only that aspect of Paul's work is there touched upon which was in subjection to the Circumcision and connected with the proclamation of the kingdom to Israel. Titus was a Greek whom Paul refused to circumcise, so that he might be a standing reminder of the fact that circumcision was not a part of his evangel for the nations (Gal_2:1-5).
5 The island of Crete is also named Candia. It is the most fertile island in the Mediterranean.
6 The elder and supervisor seem to be different aspects of the same office. The name elder was given in recognition of their age and dignity. The term supervisor describes the character of their service. His relations with the world and his own family must be such as will not compromise the ecclesia which he serves. His name in the world must be above reproach, his domestic relations must be ideal. Men with many wives were not eligible.
10 It was very natural for the Circumcisionists to arrogate to themselves the supervision of the ecclesias to which they belonged, but they were often unfit for the office.
11 In the very early days impostors set themselves to use devious means for securing their own advantage and getting dishonest gain. This is a most destructive plague in teachers, for, as soon as they make wealth their object of pursuit, they necessarily endeavor to be popular and obtain the favor and support of the people. This is almost sure to be followed by corruption in teaching.
12 It is supposed that this is a quotation from Epimenides, a poet and philosopher who lived about six hundred years before Christ. It was common to give the Cretans a bad name, for to "Cretanize" was the equivalent of lying and deception. Paul adds his confirmation in order to aid them in guarding against these grave defects in the national character.
14 The Jewish doctors have so covered the law with their myths and traditions that little, if any, of the law is left. Ceremonial uncleanness is a constant menace to the orthodox Hebrew. So much is unclean that their consciences and minds are contaminated. This is entirely out of tune with the grace which has come to those who are themselves ceremonially unclean, yet have been subjects of God's cleansing grace. A true knowledge of God's grace acknowledges, as Peter did, that what God has cleansed is not to be called unclean (Act_10:14).
15 True cleanliness is an inward condition which views all without from its own standpoint. A defiled mind and conscience will defile even that which is, in itself, clean.
1 The apostle segregates the ecclesia into young and old, men and women, and gives to each the appropriate exhortation. All are entreated to be sane (2,5,6). The usage of this word in the Greek corresponds very closely with its English equivalent. In Mar_5:15 and Luk_8:35 it is used of those who had been insane. Here and elsewhere it is used of mental soundness and good judgment. We say, 'Adversary" where the A V has "devil." The plural (3; 1Ti_3:11; 2Ti_3:3) is "adversaries" rather than "false accusers" or slanderers" (A V). (The A V term "devils" stands for another Greek word which we transliterate demons).
9 Slaves are given the privilege of adorning the teaching, by their good behavior.
11 The saving grace of God, properly appreciated, has no equal as a means for training God's saints to live acceptably in His sight even in the midst of the abounding evil of this eon. It softens the heart, and attracts the will, and provides the power for putting its precepts into practice. The law was not so. Its demands withered the arm that would fulfill it. In some measure God's grace enables us to anticipate the overwhelming bliss which will be brought to us at His glorious advent, which will mark the end of sin and suffering for His saints.