Titus 1:1 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;
Paul, a bondservant of God, and an apostle, one sent on a mission. A mission to the Gentiles or more specifically, the elect; those who God has chosen who receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, through acknowledging the truth that Jesus is Lord and that they are sinners needing forgiveness. The elect, which after receiving a new life and acknowledging the truth, live after godliness. They live according to the will of God, having repented from sin, they are no longer slaves to sin and their own lusts. He is an apostle to the elect, not to those who will not receive him or his message. Even today some will not receive Paul. Some say they only believe the red letters in the new testament. Others say they serve only Jehovah God. No, Paul is as much the truth of God as are the other books. All are inspired by the Holy Spirit. We must come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Paul preaches.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
The hope of the elect is eternal life, which God promised, his word is eternal, he cannot lie. He knew of Jesus coming to save us before creation.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Paul revealed many things to us through preaching, some were mysteries, through the personal revelation from Jesus Christ, by the Holy Ghost.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Gal 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Gal 1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
Gal 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Gal 1:24 And they glorified God in me.
Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
The epistle is to Paul's ministry friend and companion, Titus and the church on the Island of Crete.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Paul sent his ministry partner Titus to Crete. What was he to do? It says he was to bring order. The devil brings confusion, God's Spirit is orderly and of truth. We need others. We cannot fulfill the great commission to preach to all the world, alone. Each person has gifts from God that are needed. We cannot preach in every city. We need others to go and to establish churches, equipping the people for ministry. Titus was to ordain elders, leaders in the churches, to oversee the churches and to see that they remained faithful to God's word. Paul had appointed Titus to appoint others. This is the way the church grows. We learn and we share with others. The word of God must be our source of knowledge, as Jesus is Lord. Paul had also sent Timothy out to teach in the churches and to establish them in God's truth.
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Paul gives instructions in order to be qualified as an elder. Many today in order to get a job or checked as to whether or not they use drugs. Employment where others lives are being protected, requires a background check, a check of character. In similar manner the selection of an elder has spiritual and natural requirements. Paul gives the job description for an elder or a bishop of a church.
Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Blameless, the Greek word used is anegkletos,unreproveable, not accused. Of a good reputation, husband of one wife, faithful children, is not living a life of riot, loose morals or indulging in sensual pleasures. Some who say the are preachers on the Internet chats, engage in immoral conversations with women; this is to be repented of. Unruly, they are not submissive to authority. An elder must be respectable and be respecting of God's word. God is King and judge and His Son is the Head of the church.
Titus 1:7 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;
A bishop or overseer, must be blameless, as a steward of God; not self-willed. He must obey God and God's written word, not speaking his own thoughts. Not easily angered, not a drinker of alcohol, not quarrelsome, seeking a fight, not covetous of money.
Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
He is a warm and friendly to visitors and has a good character; the mind of Christ. He likes to be around good men, he is of a sound mind, knowing right from wrong. He has a holy separated life and is even tempered.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Holding fast, he is anchored in the word of God. By the word he is able to correct and encourage others. The word of God is able to bring God's power of a new life to the skeptics and enemies of the Lord.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
We must be subject to God's word and his direction. Too many are living evil lives, even among some in the church. They are not disciples of Jesus Christ. We need to obey God and his word.
False ones
Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
unruly; not under submission to authority
vain talkers; speaking empty worthless words
deceivers; seducers, seeking to take advantage of you
the circumcision; the old covenant Jews, those who do not understand nor receive the grace of Jesus, or those who wish to put Jewish customs upon the Christians. For example, insisting in circumcision.
Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
These dangerous false teachers must be exposed and stopped, they are seeking your money. They want to use you and are dangerous to follow, for they are not of God.
Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
False prophets speaking words to condemn others, making destructive prophecies to destroy those they do not favor. Assuming to speak from God, they speak harm and destruction. A prophet is not to speak false words. Some want the title and speak words of a soon coming event and are false. Avoid them. Prophecy is not of a man or woman, but of God.
One of their false prophets was a racist, placing lies and curses in the place of truth. Be careful in your use of the word "all." Unless, God says it, it probably isn't so. Hitler used racism, calling the Jews vermin, so that this lie led to the extermination of millions of God's covenant people.
God said this:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
God's "all," provides grace with it. He gives us a way to escape. Jesus came to save, not to destroy with words, but with words of grace. Beware of anyone who claims to speak for God who curses, without giving a way to escape. We speak words of life and truth.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
There are true prophets and false prophets
2 Pet 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 Pet 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2 Pet 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Rebuke them sharply, this is serious, convict them of their wrong doing with a strong rebuke, it is not something to be ignored. Speak to them, not by your thoughts or feelings, but by God's sound word, restore them with sound doctrine and restore them in the faith having repented of their sins.
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
The Jews had many regulations and ordinances that were made up by men. We are not to be under the bondage of men's words or presumptions.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
We are not under their rules, but under Christ and his blood, free to serve him with cleansed hearts, through the Holy Spirit. Any witness for Christ will be confronted by mockers, but we must remain in the sound word of God's truth.
Titus 1:15 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.
How true, to the pure of heart, all things they do and say are pure. But, to those who are defiled by sin and unbelief, nothing is pure, not even their conscience. They have no frame of reference, no absolutes, all is wicked imaginations. They need prayer so that God will soften their unbelieving hearts to the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ. Restoration is in Jesus.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
They profess a God of their making, not showing a change in their behavior. In their lifestyle they deny him. They are:
abominable; detestable, disgusting in behavior, most unpleasant to be around them.
disobedient, self willed, not under authority of man or God. They refuse to obey that which is good and true.
reprobate; morally corrupt, despising that which is good, depraved.
And yet, they profess to know God.
Mat 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Mat 3:10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We are to attempt to restore them by strong rebuke and the truth of God. God must change them, we must witness, motivated by love and pray for them.
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