The Word Made Fresh
1Paul, God’s servant and Jesus Christ’s apostle, for the sake of the faith that was given to those whom God has chosen, and for the sake of the truth that leads to godliness, 2and in hope of that life eternal promised by God, who never lies, before the ages began. 3When the time was right God was revealed through the preaching of his word with which I have been entrusted by our savior God’s command;
4To Titus, my son who is dedicated to our shared faith. Grace, mercy and peace through God our Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5I left you in Crete to take care of what remained to be accomplished and to appoint leaders in every town as I told you. 6Choose only those who are blameless, who have but one wife, whose children are believers, and who have not been accused of being corrupt or rebellious. 7Leaders must be blameless. They must not be arrogant, nor have quick tempers, nor be addicted to drink, nor be violent or greedy. 8They must be gracious, love goodness, be honest and upright, and be devout and disciplined. 9They must have a solid understanding of the word and be trustworthy in teaching it so that they can preach a sound doctrine and refute those who speak against it.
10You will also have to deal with people who are rebellious, as well as those who are misleading and deceptive – especially those who are circumcised. 11They must be stopped, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching for pay what is simply wrong. 12One of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, vicious bullies and lazy gluttons.” 13And that is true, so you must sharply rebuke them so they will become sound in the faith 14and stop paying attention to Jewish myths or to the preaching of those who reject the truth. 15Everything is pure to those who are pure, but nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and who do not believe. Their minds and even their consciences are corrupt. 16They claim to know God, but their very actions deny God. They are contemptable and disobedient, and that makes then unfit for any good work.
Commentary
1-4: Paul’s introduction of himself in Titus is longer than in his other letters. He sees himself as the God-appointed defender of the true faith.
Titus, like Timothy, was one of Paul’s most faithful companions and helpers. Paul refers to him in verse 4 as “Titus, my son who is dedicated to our shared faith,” a hint that Paul was responsible for his conversion to Christianity. He was a Gentile Christian who apparently was never circumcised (Galatians 2:3), evidence of Paul’s victory over the Circumcision Party’s efforts to demand that Gentile converts first become Jews by circumcision before being allowed to take part in the church. Elsewhere Paul refers to him as “my brother (2 Corinthians 2:13),” and as “my partner and coworker (2 Corinthians 8:23).” It was Titus by whom Paul sent his stern letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 12:18), and who was responsible for a reconciliation between them and Paul (2 Corinthians 7:6, 7:13, and 8:23). When Paul made his first trip to Jerusalem to defend his mission to the Gentiles before the leaders of the Church, Titus was one who went with him along with Barnabas (see Galatians 2:1).
5-9: We learn that Titus was used by Paul in a significant role in Crete. Unfortunately, we don’t know when Paul was in Crete or what was accomplished there. The only mention of Crete in the book of Acts comes late, when he is sailing under guard to Rome and passes south of that island, but makes no landing there. However, it is apparent that Titus was given a great deal of authority: he was to appoint elders in towns all over Crete, and bishops as well. (The qualifications for bishops are also given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.) Those who serve as leaders in the church have always been held to a higher standard of behavior.
10-16: Paul doesn’t have a very high opinion of the populace on the Island of Crete. He cautions Titus that he will be confronted by many who will try to contradict everything he says. He must be firm in resisting any attack on the pure faith that Paul has passed on to him. Verse 15 is an extraordinary insight into human character: there are some who are able to see the good in everything; they are the “pure,” as Paul calls them. There are others, however, whose corrupt character makes it impossible for them to see the good in anything.
Takeaway
Look back on your own experience as a Christian and remember those who helped shape your faith. Give thanks to God for them. If there are some with whom you are still in touch – a relative, a pastor, a teacher, a friend – consider sending them a brief thank you.