The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
Commentary by Nick Boork
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October 26 – Titus 1
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Titus was a Greek that was converted to faith in Christ through the preaching of the apostle Paul. Titus joined the apostolic team and followed Paul to many cities and was sent as a representative to collect offerings from the churches and bring them to Jerusalem to help the poor saints there. A close bond had developed in the relationship between Paul and Titus and he refers to him as his spiritual son in the faith. Paul described the kind of team member he had in Titus 2 Corinthians 8:23 “If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you.” So Titus was part of the inner circle of the apostle Paul’s team and a man that Paul completely trusted. Paul visited the island of Crete where it’s apparent that through his preaching many were converted and new churches were planted. Paul left Titus in Crete to continue his missionary journey and this is where the letter begins by Paul writing Titus to remind him of the important work that he needed to do to establish these churches.
The primary task at hand was to select and appoint elders in the new churches. Paul outlined for Titus the qualifications that should be seen in such men. It was of the utmost importance that Titus appoint men of godly character that could both preach the gospel and defend the truth. This would not be an easy task because it’s hard to know people on the surface. Titus would need to look at their fruit. How was their family relationships? Their children were not to be bad examples but rather be together with their father as a Christian family serving the Lord. These new elders also needed to be a men of very strong conviction concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth of the word of God because they would need to confront false teachings and the corrupt sinful culture that was prevalent on the island of Crete.
Every nation and people group have sinful characteristics that are contrary to the gospel. 1:12 says “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Paul acknowledges these traits in 1:13 saying “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” So Titus would need to lead the way and set the example as the bishop appointed to oversee the growth of Christianity on this Greek island. How do you rebuke people sharply without deeply offending them? The answer has to be through the preaching of the word of God. What does God say about lying, self-centered evil living, laziness and over eating? Well, Titus had his work cut out for him and he needed to appoint elders that lived the gospel to reproduce the character of Christ in these new believers.
Just think of a multitude of new converts that came into the church with all their old sinful baggage. The true gospel preached and taught in the anointing of the Holy Spirit leads believers to repent and make Jesus Lord of their lives. This is what happened during the Jesus movement in the USA during the 1970’s. Thousands of young hippie’s were getting saved. God’s love touched their hearts and they began appearing in traditional denominational churches and many times were rejected just because of the way they looked and dressed.
No, we need to love and accept all that God sends us and allow the Holy Spirit and the word of God to do the work of transformation and for most of us that takes a life-time so we need to have a lot of patience with new believers. However, Pastors and Elders do have a serious responsibility to preach what the word of God says on all areas of living. This is why Paul tells Titus to rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith. Authentic faith will bring transformation into Christlike character but without repentance people may confess that they know God but by their works they deny him.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Titus was converted to faith in Christ through the apostle Paul’s preaching.
2) He developed into a minister of Christ and became the first Bishop of the island of Crete.
3) Paul writes his letter giving him the task of ordaining elders in every city.
4) Elders were to be godly men able to preach and defend the faith.
5) Titus also had to confront and rebuke national sins prevalent among the people.
6) Only the word of God and the Holy Spirit can transform sinners into godly saints.
7) Some confess to know God but by their works they deny him.
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Titus was a Greek that was converted to faith in Christ through the preaching of the apostle Paul. Titus joined the apostolic team and followed Paul to many cities and was sent as a representative to collect offerings from the churches and bring them to Jerusalem to help the poor saints there. A close bond had developed in the relationship between Paul and Titus and he refers to him as his spiritual son in the faith. Paul described the kind of team member he had in Titus 2 Corinthians 8:23 “If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you.” So Titus was part of the inner circle of the apostle Paul’s team and a man that Paul completely trusted. Paul visited the island of Crete where it’s apparent that through his preaching many were converted and new churches were planted. Paul left Titus in Crete to continue his missionary journey and this is where the letter begins by Paul writing Titus to remind him of the important work that he needed to do to establish these churches.
The primary task at hand was to select and appoint elders in the new churches. Paul outlined for Titus the qualifications that should be seen in such men. It was of the utmost importance that Titus appoint men of godly character that could both preach the gospel and defend the truth. This would not be an easy task because it’s hard to know people on the surface. Titus would need to look at their fruit. How was their family relationships? Their children were not to be bad examples but rather be together with their father as a Christian family serving the Lord. These new elders also needed to be a men of very strong conviction concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth of the word of God because they would need to confront false teachings and the corrupt sinful culture that was prevalent on the island of Crete.
Every nation and people group have sinful characteristics that are contrary to the gospel. 1:12 says “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Paul acknowledges these traits in 1:13 saying “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” So Titus would need to lead the way and set the example as the bishop appointed to oversee the growth of Christianity on this Greek island. How do you rebuke people sharply without deeply offending them? The answer has to be through the preaching of the word of God. What does God say about lying, self-centered evil living, laziness and over eating? Well, Titus had his work cut out for him and he needed to appoint elders that lived the gospel to reproduce the character of Christ in these new believers.
Just think of a multitude of new converts that came into the church with all their old sinful baggage. The true gospel preached and taught in the anointing of the Holy Spirit leads believers to repent and make Jesus Lord of their lives. This is what happened during the Jesus movement in the USA during the 1970’s. Thousands of young hippie’s were getting saved. God’s love touched their hearts and they began appearing in traditional denominational churches and many times were rejected just because of the way they looked and dressed.
No, we need to love and accept all that God sends us and allow the Holy Spirit and the word of God to do the work of transformation and for most of us that takes a life-time so we need to have a lot of patience with new believers. However, Pastors and Elders do have a serious responsibility to preach what the word of God says on all areas of living. This is why Paul tells Titus to rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith. Authentic faith will bring transformation into Christlike character but without repentance people may confess that they know God but by their works they deny him.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Titus was converted to faith in Christ through the apostle Paul’s preaching.
2) He developed into a minister of Christ and became the first Bishop of the island of Crete.
3) Paul writes his letter giving him the task of ordaining elders in every city.
4) Elders were to be godly men able to preach and defend the faith.
5) Titus also had to confront and rebuke national sins prevalent among the people.
6) Only the word of God and the Holy Spirit can transform sinners into godly saints.
7) Some confess to know God but by their works they deny him.
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll