The Epistles · Chapter 1 of 3

Titus 1

Paul writes to Titus, whom he left in Crete to appoint elders and set the churches in order. He describes the character required of a bishop as God's steward, and then confronts the many deceivers troubling the island, especially those who profess to know God with their words while denying Him by their actual works.

What happens in Titus 1

Paul introduces himself as a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, serving the faith of God's elect in hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie promised before the world began and has now revealed through preaching. He greets Titus and reminds him why he was left in Crete: to set in order what was lacking and ordain elders in every city. Paul lists the qualifications, that an elder be blameless and that a bishop as God's steward be not self-willed, angry, or greedy, but hospitable, sober, just, holy, and holding fast the faithful word so he can teach and refute error.

Then he names the problem: many unruly, empty talkers and deceivers, especially of the circumcision, who upset whole households for shameful gain. Quoting a Cretan prophet's harsh saying about his own people, Paul urges sharp rebuke so they may be sound in the faith, warning that the defiled deny God by their works.

Titus 1 in context

Titus is a trusted co-worker Paul stationed on the island of Crete, a place with a rough moral reputation Paul does not soften. The young churches there lacked ordered leadership and were being exploited by false teachers, some pushing Jewish myths and legal disputes.

Paul writes to establish qualified elders and to arm his son Titus for the confrontation ahead.

Main themes of Titus 1

Titus 1 (KJV)

1Paul, 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; 2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 5For 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: 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For 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; 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9Holding 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. 10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15Unto 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. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Verses to carry from Titus 1

“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”Titus 1:2

“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.”Titus 1:9

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”Titus 1:16

Reflection

Paul insists that what we say we believe must show in how we live. It is possible to profess God with our words while denying Him by our works. Let this chapter prompt honest reflection: does your everyday conduct commend the faithful word, or does it quietly contradict what you claim to believe?

A prayer from Titus 1