Elders (Titus 1)

Did Paul describe himself as a slave of God? Was the church’s faith based on the hope of eternal life? Are the qualifications for elders in Titus similar to those in 1 Timothy 3? Do our works speak well of us? What is sound doctrine? What kind of good works does salvation exhibit in us? Do Christians submit to the government? Should we avoid slander and quarreling? Did Jesus save us because of the righteous things we had done, or because of His mercy? Do Christians devote themselves to doing good works? Should we avoid foolish discussions? How many chances should we give those causing divisions before we avoid them? Let’s discuss these things in Paul’s letter to Titus.

Titus 1 Elders

Is our faith based on the hope of eternal life? Are our elders qualified? Are we unruly and vain talkers and deceivers? Are all things pure to us? Do our works speak well of us? Let’s begin in Titus 1.

Many Bible translations are reluctant to use the word slave, because it is so misunderstood in western culture. People suppose that the Bible supports the brutal kidnapping based slavery in recent history. It does not. In fact, kidnapping was a capital crime in ancient Israel.

People are also ignorant of the fact that in ancient times prisoners doing hard labor for crimes committed were also called slaves. Apprentices committed themselves to a limited time and were often called slaves for those years of apprenticeship. People who owed money once sold themselves into voluntary slavery until their debt was repaid. Other moral and immoral forms of slavery also existed. How does Paul describe himself? Why was he sent?

This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. (Titus 1:1 NLT)

Upon what was their faith based? Does God lie?

Their faith and this knowledge are based on the hope of eternal life that God, who doesn’t lie, promised before time began. (Titus 1:2 CEB)

Who assigned Paul? What was he assigned?

So, at the proper time, God our Savior gave this message and told me to announce what he had said. (Titus 1:3 CEV)

Who was the letter addressed to? What was his relationship to Paul like?

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (Titus 1:4 ESV)

Had the churches grown to the point that elders were needed? Was that one elder in every town or a plurality?

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town: (Titus 1:5 HCSB)

Are these qualifications in the same spirit as those in 1 Timothy 3? Is the word elder (or presbyter) used as a synonym for overseer (or bishop or the episcopacy)?

An elder must be blameless. He must be the husband of one wife and have children who are believers and who are not accused of having wild lifestyles or of being rebellious. Because an overseer is God’s servant manager, he must be blameless. He must not be arrogant or irritable. He must not drink too much, be a violent person, or make money in shameful ways. Instead, he must be hospitable to strangers, must appreciate what is good, and be sensible, honest, moral, and self-controlled. He must be devoted to the trustworthy message that agrees with what we teach, so that he may be able to encourage others with healthy doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:6-9 ISV)

Does Paul sharply warn of dangers from two different people groups? Would that be considered politically correct today? Have the ancient churches added “commandments of men” on top of what Jesus and the apostles taught? Have Protestant churches also?

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (Titus 1:10-14 KJV)

Do the pure have a habit of fault-finding criticism? What do our works prove?

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work. (Titus 1:15-16 LSB)

Is our faith based on the hope of eternal life? Are our elders qualified? Are we unruly and vain talkers and deceivers? Are all things pure to us? Do our works speak well of us? You decide!