The Book of Titus:
Before we delve into Titus, I left out a last piece of wisdom from 1 Timothy. Let’s examine that:
…those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim. 6:9-10 NKJV
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. 6:16-19. NKJV
This was an admonition to those of great financial wealth. There is nothing wrong with having great wealth. It all depends upon where your focus lies. It is best to be an effective steward – sharing their good fortune to do good works, to give to those in need unselfishly, and trust in God alone for your own welfare.
Now, we can move on to look at Paul’s second pastoral letter, known as the book of Titus.
The letter was written in approximately 63 – 66 A.D., about the same time as 1 Timothy; and it shares many similar teachings, e.g., instructing Titus how to lead in church and how to deal with false teachers.
We have met Titus before, in Paul’s previous epistles: where he accompanies Paul and Barnabas to the Jerusalem Council, (Gal. 2:1), as a convert of Paul’s. He was Greek. Paul held Titus up to the council in his bid to show them that Gentiles could be saved as well.
Titus appears as well during Paul’s third missionary journey, where Titus delivered the apostle’s letter to the Corinthian church (2 Co. 7:6 – 8, & 15; 8:16, 17 and 8:23), where Paul introduces him:
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service… 2 Co. 8:23
Paul is addressing Titus now from one of his missionary journeys before he was arrested the second time. He established a church on the island of Crete. When finished, with this task, he charged Titus with shepherding the church, while he continues with his missionary travels.
Crete presented a huge challenge because the inhabitants were renowned for their moral decadence. It was time to uproot their barriers to the Gospel.
Paul begins with a greeting to Titus:
I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God – who does not lie – promised them before the world began.
And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone.
I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. Ti. 1:1 – 4. NLT
Then the apostle gives Titus his marching orders – beginning with appointing elders (overseers) for the church, and telling him how to make sure that they make the grade:
I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint leaders in each town as I have instructed you.
An elder must live a blameless life…A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life…he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.
He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong. Ti. 1:5 – 9. NLT
Paul is stressing the importance of loving and teaching the pure Gospel and to be prepared to correct others who may have erred in their understanding of it.
The apostle then turns to the problems of false teachers:
For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist upon circumcision for salvation. They must be silenced because they are turning away whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they only do it for money. Ti. 1:10, 11. NLT
So, reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth. Ti. 1:13, 14. NLT
As Paul continues, he addressed the nature of righteous teaching to encourage righteous living:
…promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
…teach the older women to live in a way that honors God…must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely…
…encourage the young men to live wisely. Ti. 2:1 – 4. NLT\
Paul addresses Titus’ own behavior to present himself to lead by example:
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Ti. 2:7, 8. NLT
Next, the apostle drills down on why we should be so motivated to follow these behaviors, to reap the benefits of the Gospel promises:
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.
We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Ti. 2:11 – 14. NLT
Now Paul shows us how to practice those godly behaviors out in the world:
Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Ti. 3:1,2. NLT
Why? Because we need to be living examples that motivate others to inquire about our godly behavior and what inspires us to behave that way. And it’s all about our salvation:
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through Jesus Christ Our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Ti. 3:4 – 7. NLT
Are we loved or what?
Goodnight and God bless