Our Living Hope Series

TITUS 1: 1-4

OUR LIVING HOPE

How would you like to be personally discipled by Paul the Apostle? Obviously Paul can't physically disciple us, but he did disciple others. Titus is one of Paul's disciples and Paul wrote a book to him to help disciple him. As we study this letter to Titus, we too can come under the tutelage of Paul.

In the introduction to the letter to Titus Paul states his reason for living. Paul lived for the faith of believers and to give them the knowledge of eternal truth (CIT). The purpose of our life also needs to be defined if we desire to be focused or we will not accomplish what God desires for us to accomplish. Paul's obedience to God caused him to search out what God wanted him to do with his life. Is your obedience to Jesus causing you to search out what God wants you to do with your life? Let's look at Paul's life purpose.

I. Paul's Calling, 1:1a.

II. Paul's Purpose, 1:1b.

III. God's Promise Manifested, 2-3.

IV. Paul's Disciple, 4.

The letter begins with the author describing himself. "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ

It was the usual custom of 1st century writers to sign their name first and then address the recipients of the scroll. The name Paul is a Greek transcription for the Latin Paulus meaning little. It was a common name and the nearest to the sound of the Hebrew name "Saul." There is a hint in this name that the apostle was of small stature (2 Cor. 10:10).

Paul designates himself a slave of God (doulos). The lowest and most servile term Greek has for one owned by another. The term is used for one born into slavery [not andapodov]. He is one whose will is controlled by the will of another. He is someone who serves another to the disregard of his own interests.

Paul also designates himself an apostle of Christ Jesus . The word apostle is derived from stello, "to send", and apo "from-away." It became an official term for one sent off under a commission with credentials designating him one's personal representative. It was used for one who was an envoy or ambassador (a messenger sent on special mission). This official title indicates that this pastoral epistle was an official public letter and not simply a private letter. Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word we know as "Messiah." Both words mean "the one who is anointed." Jesus is the Greek spelling of the Hebrew word we know as Yahoshua meaning Jehovah or YAHWAH saves.

II. PAUL'S PURPOSE, 1:1b.

Paul next states the purpose of his servanthood and apostleship. "For [According to] the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness."

According [the first of four uses of katas- "down, extend, in the interest of, in keeping with"] to the faith of God's called out ones is a concept of corresponding to the faith that given him to be an apostle [God's choice, not his]. [chosen: Mt. 24:22,24,31; Mk 13:20,22,27; Lk 18:7; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:1-2, 2:9.]

God's children have been "called out" "in Christ," before the foundation of world (before times eternal - 2 Tim. 1:9; Jn. 17:6; 1 Pet. 1:1-2). They have been chosen or called out:

to adoption (Eph. 1:4-5)

to good works (Eph. 2:10)

to conformity to Christ (Rom. 8:29)

to eternal glory (Rom. 9:13)

to salvation from the delusion of the Anti-Christ (2 Thess. 2:13)

Paul states the purpose of his apostleship is to further the faith and knowledge of Christ. His gift of apostleship was for the faith of the called out (chosen) and to provide full-knowledge of the truth which comes from and leads to godliness. Thus his apostleship gift would lead to increased faith of God's chosen and for the spreading of the knowledge of godliness. Godliness consists of expressions that represent the character of God in everyday living. Godliness is the natural flow of a life in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Knowledge [epí-gn sin] experiential knowledge of living out the truth. Living the truth out of course leads to godliness. The truth changes lives from ungodliness to holy living.

God was using Paul to call out a people for Himself (1 Thess. 1:2–10) and to teach them the truth which is leads to godly living (1 Tim. 6:3). The purpose of Paul's ministry was aimed at both the salvation and sanctification of God's people.

III. GOD'S PROMISED MANIFESTED, 1:2.

Verse 2 extends this faith and knowledge into a promise of bringing the hope of eternal life. "(A faith and knowledge resting) on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time."