Titus 1:1-16
Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to set the churches in order and appoint faithful men as ministers. These elders—called bishops in verse 10 because the titles were interchangeable—were to be hospitable, lovers of the good, holy, sober-minded, just, self-controlled, and holding fast the faithful word. The Holy Spirit wants to bear theses fruits in all Christians, but ministers must especially work towards “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). If ministers do not grow in these fruits, they will tear down with their deeds what they built up with their teaching.
These qualified men were necessary because there were many who were “insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.” These men taught Jewish fables and passed off the commandments of men as if they were God’s commandments. These are diseased words which cannot give the new life of the Spirit and eternal life. Because they believe their own lies, they defile their consciences and their minds so that nothing is pure to them, not even Holy Scripture. Reading their lies into Scripture, they profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him. As Jesus says of false prophets in Matthew 7:16, “You will know them by their fruits.” They do this for the sake of increasing their reputation and financial gain. The words of a Cretan poet apply to these men: “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Against these men, Titus and the elders whom he appoints are to hold fast the faithful word. By sound doctrine they are to exhort and convict those who teach doctrines contrary to the Gospel. By convicting these men with God’s commandments, those who repent may then be exhorted with the sound—meaning healthy, live-giving and life-preserving—doctrine of the Gospel. So it is today. Ministers are to exhort and convict by sound doctrine, bringing saving health to the penitent and believing, and then lead them, not in men’s commandments, but God’s.
Let us pray: Grant us Your saving health and lead us in the way of Your commandments. Amen.
