Titus
Growing in Christ
"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:45)
Overview of Old Testament or New Testament
Links to observations drawn from other books of the Bible
In the Pastoral Epistles, Paul shares with Timothy and Titus principles of caring for the newly emerging churches and choosing leadership for them.
Introduction: Titus, a Gentile by birth (Gal. 2.3), though not mentioned in Acts is frequently mentioned in 2 Corinthians where he served as Paul's emissary during his third missionary journey, having helped deliver Paul's second letter to Corinth. Jews who first believed at Pentecost (Acts 2:11) took the Gospel to Crete. Whether Paul was able to meet any of these during his brief visit reroute to Rome while under arrest (Acts 27) we don't know, nor do we know if Titus was among the "we" (Acts 27:1-2) who traveled with him but Paul at some point left Titus to consolidate and strengthen the believers on Crete and wrote this letter to Titus around 63-66 AD to aid him in his work.
Practical and Pastoral Observations on Titus (please read each chapter slowly and meditatively before reading observations below):
Titus 1
Paul's calling and identity: Paul's identity is rooted in his calling to obedience to God (v.1: doulos) as a emissary of His Messiah, to proclaim God's Word made manifest (v.3) in the incarnation and resurrection of Christ. This living, manifest Word is the hope of eternal life (v.2) for those chosen by God for salvation (v.1).
Titus's work: To that end Titus was appointed to strengthen "what remains" (v. 5) of the church in Crete, implying the church was at low ebb and at risk of loss of her calling and identity. Titus's first task was to establish worthy leadership for the church "in every city" (v.5) implying that, though morally weak, the nominal church was yet widespread on the island.
Leadership is everything: Titus is urged to look for specific character and skills among leadership strengths (v.6, 8-9) and for those flaws which would disqualify otherwise potential candidates (v.7). This leadership will assist Titus in maturing the church.
The Challenge is Great: Skilled and Godly leaders are critical because the church has been infiltrated with those who profess faith in Christ but whose lives prove the claim false (v.16). The culture of the island, exaggerated for effect by Epimenides a native poet (v.12), along with pre-Christian Jewish myths and legalism (v.14) have combined to produce inner impurity resulting in defilement and disobedience (v.15).
Internal corruption, like rusted girders, unless addressed and repaired, will bring down the church or at minimum dishonor the Lord of Glory who she is saved to reflect. The rot must be excised by Godly leaders, accurate teaching and gentle surgery followed, if needed, by the addition of severe rebuke and a call to repentance (v.13).
Personal Response: I will focus my discipling of new believers on preparing them both for spiritual reproduction among the lost and for Godly leadership within the disciple-making community.
My Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see where cultural distractions, lies or impurities have been allowed to infiltrate the church. Cause me to know and love the Kingdom of Heaven which such love that impurities and quickly obvious. May I then raise higher Your truth, beauty and calling.
Titus 2
Truth produces true living - in all stations of life: Older men will show steady dignity in faith, love and perseverance (v.2) - the ripe fruit of experience in trials overcome. Older women reverently model what they teach younger women (v.3), loving and serving their families (v.4-5). Titus, about 40, was not to counsel younger women directly but through older women. Younger men are to be sensible in judgement (v.6), active in good deeds (v.7), sound in speech (v.8). Slaves and servants entering newness of life in Christ do not settle for the minimum required to avoid punishment, but aim to do more than expected to adorn the Gospel (v.9-10).
A watching world: Paul reminds Titus that the world is watching (v.8). "The heathen do not judge the Christian’s doctrines from the doctrine, but from his actions and life" (Chrysostom).
Two appearings, one purpose: The grace of God appeared in Christ Incarnate to offer salvation to all (v.11). This salvation flows from Christ's self-giving on the cross, redeeming us from the evil one and emulation of his character. We are rather in Christ's sin offering purified, and in His redemption transferred from the possession of the evil one to be Christ's alone forever, doing good as He, who in the Father is the source of all good, does good. Our blessed hope is that He will appear again in glory on the clouds of heaven (v.13) when He will put an end to the works of the evil one and those who follow him. The appearing of Christ, yet to come, is strong motivation to live honorably, knowing He sees us, and to obey now as we will when He comes at the end of history.
Tit 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Personal response: I will not be easily shaken but stay focused on our coming blessed hope. Being shaken begins with being distracted. The internet ("news," social media, email) specializes in distraction and easily leads to being scattered and shaken. I will spend more time in meditation on scripture, prayer and worship than surfing / doom scrolling the internet.
My Prayer: Father, I pray for the day you will speak the word by which your Son will descend from the throne in glory to bring to completion Your plan for the restoration of all things. Maranatha!