THE EPISTLE TO TITUS
*************************
1. PAULS
FOREWORD
1:1-4
(a) The
Writer
(b) The
Recipient
Who
...
... Where
(c) The
Reason : THE FAITH
Its messenger
Its
results
Its
origin
Its
revelation
2. ELDERS
ELECTED
1:5-9
(a) Their
Designation
(b) Their
Domesticity
(c) Their
Decorum
(d) Their
Doctrine
3. ERRORISTS
EXPOSED
1:10-16
(a) The
Message they Preached
(b) The
Method they Employed
(c) The Mischief they Caused
(d) The
Motives they Served
4. EVERYBODY
EDUCATED
2:1-10
(a) The
Old Men
(b) The Old Women
(c) The
Young Women
(d) The Young Men
(e) Slaves
5. EVANGEL
EPITOMIZED
2:11-15
(Origin
(Availability
SALVATION (Purpose
(Consummation
(Basis
6. ETHICS ENTREATED
3:1-11
(a) Our Relationship to Government
(b) Our Relationship to our
Neighbours
(c) Our Relationship to Christ : i How we were ii What He did
(d) Our Relationship to the Church : i Believers ii Heretics
7. PAULS
FAREWELL
3:12-15
(a) Future
Plans
(b) Final
Plea
Lets meet Titus !!
.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTRODUCTION The most
enigmatic figure in early church history is how Sir William M. Ramsay
describes him.
Paul describes him as his son in the Faith (Titus 1:4)
his dear brother (2 Corinth. 2:13) his partner and fellow helper (2
Corinth. 8:23) and his companion
(Galat. 2:3) He is mentioned ten times
in the letters of Paul , indeed a whole Epistle to Titus is addressed to him.
But he is never mentioned
by name in the Book of Acts ! In spite of the fact he was often there with
Paul.
Another
oddity occurs in 2 Corinthians
Paul tells us he is sending Titus to Corinth
with an un-named brother !
16I am thankful to God that he has given Titus the same enthusiasm
for you that I have.
17He
welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was eager to
go and see you.
18We
are also sending another brother with Titus. He is highly praised in all
the
churches as a preacher of the Good News. (2 Corinth 8:16-18) (
Living Bible )
* The
reason seems to be that Titus is not named in Acts because he is Lukes brother
... and Luke is the author of this early history of the new-born church. Nor does Luke mention himself in Acts
although he was often
present as the narrative unfolded.
* And
Titus is mentioned in 2 Corinth. 8 because he has already been to Corinth
previously, and they know him , where as Luke is still unknown to them. But
the brother who is accompanying Titus can also be translated his brother
! ( Pauls Friends by Harrington
Lees p. 89)
So lets
unravel some references to Titus that are scattered through the New Testament.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(1)
IN ANTIOCH
the new convert !
Somewhere,
probably Antioch, Titus experiences the new birth under the ministry of the
Apostle Paul. Hence the phrase that he
is Pauls son in the Faith. ( Titus 1:4) Racial barriers have fallen away. Jew and Gentile (non-Jew) are together in
the Family of God. (Galatians 3:28)
.
(2)
IN JERUSALEM.
the test case.
There were some false teachers who insisted
that before a Gentile could become a Christian, he must submit to circumcision
and keep the Law of Moses ! ( Acts 15:1) So Titus, a Gentile, goes with Paul to
Jerusalem where the apostles are situated
to hear their decision
and to confront the heretics.
As a
result
Titus was accepted as a Christian, without becoming a Jew first.
Galatians. 2: 1-5 1Then fourteen years later
I ( Paul ) went back to Jerusalem
again,
this time with
Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2I went there because God
revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I talked privately with the
leaders of the church. I wanted them to understand what I had been preaching to
the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure they did not disagree, or my ministry would
have been useless. 3And they did agree.
They did
not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a
Gentile.
4Even that question wouldn't have come up except for some so-called
Christians there--false ones, really -- who came to spy on us and see our freedom in Christ Jesus. They
wanted to force us, like slaves, to follow their Jewish regulations. 5But
we refused to listen to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the
truth of the Good News for you
..
(3)
IN MACEDONIA
the joy bringer !!
Earlier Paul had written a letter to
the Corinthian church ( 1 Corinthians ) severely rebuking them for their
schisms and sins. Then Titus was sent
to discover their re-action. Now Titus returns and assures Paul his letter has
had the desired effect and that the Corinthians still love him . Whew !! Paul is overjoyed. And sends Titus
back to them, with his brother, and another letter.
2 Corinth. 7:5-9 5When we arrived in Macedonia
there was no rest for us.
Outside there
was conflict from every direction, and inside there was fear. 6But
God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of
Titus. 7His presence was a joy, but so was the news he
brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told me how much you
were looking forward to my visit, and how sorry you were about what had
happened, and how loyal your love is for me, I was filled with joy!
8I am no longer sorry that I sent that letter to you, though I was
sorry for a time, for I know that it was painful to you for a little while. 9Now
I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you
to have remorse and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his
people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.
.
(4)
IN CRETE
The Home Mission Superintendent !
Paul
appoints Titus to take charge of the churches on the isle of Crete. He is to
appoint pastors , teach doctrine and ethics and oppose false teachers. ( More of this in future studies )
Titus 1:4 5; 10-11; 4This letter is written to Titus, my true child in the
faith that we share.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.
5I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work
there and appoint elders
in each town
as I instructed you
.
10For there are many who rebel against right teaching; they engage
in useless talk and deceive people. This is especially true of those who insist
on circumcision for salvation. 11They must be silenced. By their
wrong teaching, they have already turned whole families away from the truth
..
(5)
IN DALMATIA ( Yugoslavia )
the ???
Paul now writes his last letter from a Roman
prison
to Timothy.
2 Timothy 4:9-13 .9Please
come as soon as you can. 10Demas has deserted me because he
loves the
things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,
and Titus
has gone to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with
you when you come, for he will be helpful to me. 12I sent Tychicus
to Ephesus.
13When
you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas.
Some commentators have suggested that, like
Demas, Titus had deserted Paul.
Others
consider Paul has sent Titus on another mission. The Scripture
is ambiguous.
.
CONCLUSION
Like
Titus, we are to be born into Gods family by trusting the Saviour, we must
be ready to engage in service for Him even though the task may be difficult,
and we must keep on keeping on until the race is run and the fight is over.
Paul
said that
did Titus do it ?
1 Corinth. 9: 27 . 27I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do
what it should.
Otherwise, I
fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A Tough Task for
Titus
.
For this cause left I
thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order
the things that are wanting,
Titus 1:5
.
INTRODUCTION Titus
has been appointed by Paul to act as a sort of
Home Mission Superintendent to help the churches on the isle of Crete.
They need to be taught doctrine, they need to be warned concerning the false
teachers in their midst and they need instruction in Christian living.
Notice, for example, the emphasis placed upon good works in these three brief chapters.
(1) GOOD WORKS ARE CONTRASTED . with the works of the people of Crete.
Titus 1:12 One
of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretins are alway liars,
evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This
witness is true.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may
be sound in the faith;
The Greeks of that day actually coined a word
Cretin
meaning a liar and a cheat. ( Barclay p. 277)
And the word has even become a part of the English language. ( See Websters Dict. )
So Titus will appoint men to oversee the various fellowships scattered across the island, men whose sixteen qualifications are listed in Chapter 1: 5-9.
.. ordain elders in every city, as I had
appointed thee:6 If any be blameless,
the husband of one wife, having faithful
children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of
God; not self-willed,
not soon angry, not given to wine, no
striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of
hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 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.
These false teachers insist that converts to Christianity must also keep the Law of Moses and, Paul says, their motive is mercenary.
1: 10 For
there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the
circumcision:
11Whose
mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not,
for filthy lucre's sake.
. They
profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
(2) GOOD WORKS ARE COMMANDED five times.
* Titus himself is to set an example
. . In all things showing thyself a
pattern of good works 2:7.
* Christ died for us
that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 2:14.
*
Christians are to be
. ready to
every good work
3:1.
* We must be
. careful to maintain good
works. 3:8.
* And we need to
. learn to maintain good works.
3:14
An infant does not need to be taught to be naughty it comes naturally. They need teaching on how to be good. And Babes in Christ likewise need to be taught how they ought to live in such a way as to be well-pleasing to their Lord.
(3) GOOD WORKS ARE CANCELLED OUT (!!) in the matter of achieving salvation .
So many people think that living a good life and performing good works will earn them a place in Heaven.
No ! says Paul. Salvation is by faith in Christ
Titus
3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared,
5 Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us
Our righteousness is as filthy
rags in His sight. ( Isaiah 64:6)
Grace and works do not co-exist. (Romans 4:4-5)
By grace are ye saved not of works lest any man should boast ! ( Ephesians 2:8-9)
.
CONCLUSION I would not work my soul to save for that my Lord has done
But I would work like any slave for love to Gods dear Son.
..
Salvation Snapshots (Titus
2:11-14)
.
INTRODUCTION. The apostle Paul often speaks of the three
tenses of salvation
past, present and future. For example
They tell how
you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (PRESENT) 10and to wait for His Son from
heaven, (FUTURE) whom he raised from
the dead Jesus, (PAST) who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1
Thess. 1:9-10)
..
10He
has delivered us from such a deadly peril, (PAST) and he will deliver us.
(FUTURE)
On him we have set our hope that he will
continue to deliver us. (PRESENT) (2
Corinth. 1:10)
.
Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; (PAST)
and he will
appear a second time, (FUTURE) not to bear sin,
but to bring
salvation to those who are waiting for him. (PRESENT) (Hebrews 9:28)
And now these three remain: faith, (PAST) hope (FUTURE) and love. (PRESENT)
(1
Corinth. 13:13)
25In
the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,
"This
cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it,
in remembrance of me.( PRESENT)
26For whenever you eat this bread
and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death (PAST)
until he comes. (FUTURE) ... (1
Corinth 11: 25-28)
and now we examine it in Titus 2: 11-14 . ..
11 For the
grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (PAST)
12 Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world; (PRESENT)
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (FUTURE)
14 Who gave himself for us, (PAST) that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works. (PRESENT)
15 These things speak, and exhort, and
rebuke with all authority.
Notice that Paul tells his son in the faith to speak these things (vs. 15) or, as J.B. Philips translates it, Tell men of these things!
.
(1) THE PROVISION
OF SALVATION
IN THE PAST
(a) Its Origin the Grace of God (vs. 11). This means that the way of Salvation was not a human invention but planned and revealed by God alone. He saw mans inability to save himself man was without strength, even at enmity with Him yet He took the initiative to provide salvation. (Romans 5:6-10.)
(b) Its Cost the death of the Lord Jesus. He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us (vs. 14).
(c) Its Scope all men (vs. 11). Not just for the chosen few (the elect) as some Christians believe, but for all.
The arms of love
that compass me
Would all mankind embrace. (Charles Wesley)
(d) The Appropriation for although Christ died for all, yet there must needs be a response on the sinners part. Salvation is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but a gift is of no benefit unless it is received. We take the gift of Salvation by faith. Does our text say that? Yes!! For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared ... (vs. 11). And if it is by grace, then it is of nothing we can do to earn it Grace and works are mutually exclusive
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.
5However,
to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked,
his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)
SALVATION
The Father thought it
The Son bought it
The Holy Spirit wrought it
The Bible taught it
The Devil fought it
Ive got it !
Have you ?
(2) THE RETURN OF
THE LORD JESUS
IN THE FUTURE!
We are admonished to be looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (vs. 13)
(a) One event will occur The blessed hope and the appearing are speaking of the one and only Second Coming of the Lord. They are not two separate events, seven years apart, as some Christians teach.
(b) One Person is coming
The original
Greek makes it clearer that the One who is coming is the great God, even
our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is a
clear reference to our Saviours Deity.
The New Living Translation
We look
forward to that wonderful event when
the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus
Christ, will be revealed.
New International Version (NIV)
We wait for the blessed hope--the glorious
appearing
of our
great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
(c) One major emphasis throughout the New Testament is the promise of Christs return. It is mentioned over 300 times! The word Hope (vs. 13) in Biblical usage, carries the thought of certainty He will come again just as surely as He came the first time. Without this hope set before him, Paul says, he would be of all men most miserable! (1 Corinth. 5:19)
(3) THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BELIEVERS
IN THE PRESENT!
(12
Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world;
(14) that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.
(a) Soberly a disciplined, holy life that he that is of the contrary part may have no evil thing to say of thee ( 2:8). This has to do with our personal life.
(b) Righteously honest and reliable, zealous of good works toward our fellow man. This is pertaining to our social behaviour.
(c) Godly has to do with our spiritual walk as we seek to
know
Him more clearly ,
follow
Him more nearly
and
love Him more dearly
day by day. ( Richard of Chichester )
..
CONCLUSION
He appeared bringing salvation (vs.11) and we await His appearing again to consummate that great salvation (vs. 13). Until then we are to be the kind of Christians He wants us to be! (vs. 12, 14).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::