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."
This hope is an earnest yearning, confident expectation, and patient waiting for life everlasting. The hope of salvation in its fullest development (Jn. 12:24, Rom. 8:25) which we will receive when we are in Heaven. We have the hope this salvation because God, who cannot lie (1 Sam. 15:29; Heb. 6:18), "promised" it before times everlasting (1 Cor 2:7; Eph 1:4).
This faith in Jesus Christ not only saves us today and makes our lives godly, but it also gives us hope for the future. We are born again "unto a living hope" (1 Peter 1:3) because we have trusted the living Christ. We believers have eternal life now (John 3:16; 1 John 5:11-12); but when Jesus Christ returns, we will enjoy eternal life in a much greater way.
Despite different reasons as to how, one may say that life eternal was promised and given to man "in Christ" before time [though the revelation of God's plan and grace], eternal life could not be given until the life promised in Christ had been attained by His perfect life, sacrificial death and transforming resurrection.
Apparently lying was commonplace in Crete (1:12), Paul made it clear at the start that God does not lie. The foundation of our faith is trust in God's character. Because God is truth, He is the source of all truth, and He cannot lie. We have assurance for the future because of God's promises, and God cannot lie (see Num.23:19). The eternal life that God has promised will be ours, because He keeps His promises. Build your life on the foundation of a trustworthy God who never lies.
Verse 3 depicts the preaching of Christ as bringing light. "And at His appointed season He brought His Word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by [according to] the command of God our Savior
The word manifested or brought (NASV, NIV) means to make visible that which has been hidden. The Word of eternal life, how this salvation of grace through faith in Christ Jesus would come about was hidden, but now at this proper time was revealed. What God had promised before all eternity has now come about by Jesus Christ becoming incarnate and living a perfect life for us, dying for our sins, and being raised from the dead with us. Salvation is no longer hidden.
God reveals His word through the proclamation or preaching. The content of the gospel message reveals what is hidden from man. This living word of the gospel was entrusted to Paul and he had committed it to Titus. And it has been passed down through the ages until now its proclamation has been entrusted to us. Are you shining the Light of the World by sharing the Gospel of truth and godliness to others? Those that do shine with the hope of eternal life in a despairing dark world. May you be share the Light of Life so the world can see the way out of darkness.
IV. PAUL'S DISCIPLE, 4.
Verse 4 address and blesses Titus, a true child of the faith. "To Titus, my true child [according to] in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."
Paul had won Titus to Christ. The word true means legitimately born. Paul knew Titus was genuinely born again. [The term may also denote a mentor or a protégé relationship.] The word common means "to have in common." This faith is the possession of all of God's people and not just a selected few. Christians in different denominational groups may wear different labels, but all true believers, those who possess the same saving faith, share "the common salvation" (Jude 3). There was a definite body of truth deposited in the church, "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3, NIV). Any departure from this "common faith" is false teaching and must not be tolerated in the church.
Paul's blessing upon Titus was "grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior." Grace is love in action. It springs from the undeserved favor of God upon those who seek Jesus. It brings salvation and then sanctification for those who walk in the Holy Spirit.
Grace received results in a sense of harmony and well-being, the shalom of God. Peace binds together that which has been separated or broken. When things are disjointed, separated, there is no tranquility. Grace is the fountain and peace is a stream which flows from the fountain.
Grace and peace have their source in both the Father and the Son. Titus is thus blessed with unmerited favor and unshakable peace. This blessing is for Titus and those who serve God in sharing His truth, We are promised divine provision and inner stability regardless of external circumstances.
IN CLOSING How many of us really know who we are and why we are here on earth? Of course, we all have names and our own personal histories. We have goals, dreams and characteristics which we feel give us a special identity, and these things are certainly to be valued. But when we think about our reason for being, our personal identity and the meaning in life, do we do so with God and His will in mind?
The letter to Titus lays that challenge before us today. Much of the letter encourages ordinary believers, who occupy all walks of life, to consider every facet of their lives so that it may become an expression of the will of God. God's eternal purpose moves an ordinary life into the spiritually extraordinary life. No matter what path God has given us to walk, we are intended to be a vital piece in God's missionary plan to reach the world for Christ. Each "piece" has meaning, each human life has inestimable value and usefulness to God, and this realization is a tremendous source of joy, satisfaction, and encouragement. But to realize this, we may need to make some adjustments in the way we view life. May God help us do so as we study this letter to Titus.
