The Epistle to Titus

Paul wrote this brief letter to Titus focussing on his role and responsibitity in the organization and supervision of the churches in Crete. It was written to strengthen and exhort him to exercise his authority as a representative to the churches.

The letter was written during the fourth missionary tour between Paul's two Roman imprisonments about AD 64-66.

I. A. ORDAINED QUALIFIED ELDERS (chap. 1)

Paul reminded Titus of his responsibility to organize the churches by appointing elders (Titus 1:7) and reiterated that these leaders must meet the requirements in (Titus 1:6-9).

Qualifications of Elders

Titus 1:6-9

• If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
• For a bishop must be blamless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
• But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
• 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.

I. B. Rebuke False Teachers (Titus 1:10-16)

There were many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers in the crowd who were of the circumcised crowd who taught things which they aught not.

Titus 1:14,16

• Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
• They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

When Christianity was opened to the Gentiles, some of the Jews argued that they must be circumcised according to the old law. There were discussions about circumcision and Paul and Barnabus and others went up to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders. The Pharisees said it was needful for them to be circumcised according to the law of Moses.

Peter stood up and spoke, saying that God put no difference between the Jews and Gentiles, purifying their hearts by faith. The conclusion was it was not necessary to circumcise the Gentiles.

Acts 15:29

• That ye absain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Acts 15:1,24

• And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Romans 2:29

• But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
  

II. A. Speak Sound Doctrine (Titus 2:1-15)

Titus was charged to speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. He was given instruction by Paul with regard to various groups in the church, including older men, older women, young women, young men and servants (2:2-10).

Titus 2:2-10

• That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
• The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
• That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
• To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
• Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
• In all things shewing thy self a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
• Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
• Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again:
• Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

II. B. SECOND DOCTRINE (2:11-14)

Paul gave the basis for the appeals for righteous living. God redeemed believers from sin, assuring them of the blessed hope of the appearance of the great God and our saviour, Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:1

• Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.

Proverbs 10:28

• The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish

Proverbs 11:30,31

• The fruit of the righteousness is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
• Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner

Psalms 37:39

• But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

II. C. MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS (TITUS 3:1-11)

Paul in Chapter 3 of Titus moved from conduct in groups to conduct in general (3:1-11). Titus was further directed towards the things he should teach and not teach. The behaviour of believers is different from that of unbelievers because believers have the Holy Spirit within them to guide and teach them correct behaviour.

Conduct in Groups in the Church (Titus 2:1-10)

Instructions were given by Paul on what the gospel teaches the different groups, namely, the elderly men, elderly women, young women, young men, servants toward their masters.

Conduct in General (Titus 3:1-11)

Believers who are citizens must be different from that of unbelievers.because they are regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Christians must be subject to the powers in the principalities and obey the law of the country, showing meekness toward all men, not serving lusts and pleasures, not envious and hateful.

God saved us not by our works of righteousness which we have done, but by His mercy by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Through the grace of Jesus, we receive hope of eternal life and be careful to maintain good works.

Paul also exhorted Titus to deal firmly with dissenters and controversies (3:9).

ii. C.Three Instructions (Titus 3:12-15)

Paul sent three instructions to Titus asking him to come to Nicopolis for he desired to winter there. Second, he requested him to bring Zenas, the lawyer and Apollos to meet with them and third, to remember to maintain good works.

And let our's also learn to main good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful (Titus 3:14). Paul ended his letter with a benediction.

THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON http://hubpages.com/hub/epistletophilemon-1

THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON (2) FORGIVENESS http://hubpages.com/hub/epistletophilemon-2-forgiveness

THE EPISTLE OF JAMES: FAITH THAT WORKS http://hubpages.com/hub/THE-EPISTLE-OF-JAMES-FAITH-THAT-WORKS

THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS: PART I http://hubpages.com/hub/epistletothehebrewspart1