Combating the Lies Titus 1:12-14.   One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, Not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.  Dear Royal…

The Opponents. Titus 1:10-11.  For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.  Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters,  A year ago on the 22nd of March 2020, the Corona…

Standards for Elders: Doctrine. Titus 1:9.  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it.  Dear Apple of God’s Eye,  The importance of holding onto the right teaching cannot be overemphasized. It is difficult to believe properly…

Standards for Elders: Image. Titus 1:7-8.   For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Dear Family,  We continue with the qualifications of elders. From family, Paul now…

Standards for Elders: Family.Titus 1:6.  If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. Dear Saints,  Paul now lays out the qualifications for elders that he had earlier given to Titus and which he repeats here. They are similar to…

Putting Things in Order. Titus 1:5.  This is why I left you in Crete so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.  Dear People of whom the World Is not Worthy, The apostle Paul was a busy man, but he did not neglect important things….

Association. Titus 1:4. To Titus my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.  Dear Holy Nation,  Paul had a few close friends that he could trust. Among them were Timothy and Luke. The other was Titus. Titus was not Jewish (Galatians 2:1-3) but Greek.  A…

Hope. Titus 1:2-3. In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began And at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Saviour.  Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners, The uniqueness of the Christian faith is a certainty….

Identity. Titus 1:1. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness. Dear Saints,  This letter to Titus, one of Paul’s closest friends and disciples, begins in a typical Pauline fashion.   God (v. 1a)….

Farewell. 2 Timothy 4:19-22. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before win. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with…