Titus 1:1-9

1: Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
2: in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,
3: but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
4: To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5: For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
6: namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 
7:  For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,
8: but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
9: holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

*** 

Paul’s letter to Titus was most likely written around the same time as 1 Timothy, while he was in Corinth on his way to Nicopolis in Epirus, just before he was arrested. He called himself a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of the chosen and the knowledge of truth. Our faith to believe is utterly dependent upon God for it comes to those who hear the gospel. Without His Word, faith to believe would not come (Romans 10:13-17). We are chosen through the faith that He gives us. We believe in the hope of eternal life which He promised ages ago and manifested at the proper time. His Word—which Paul was entrusted with and proclaimed as the gospel—gives faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Paul gave his reason for leaving Titus in Crete—so he could appoint elders and set order in the church, as Paul had previously directed him. Titus was a fellow worker with Paul, and sometimes accompanied him in his journeys. He was in Crete after Paul’s first imprisonment.

Paul gave similar instructions to Titus as he did to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:2-4 regarding the overseers. They were to be above reproach, have their household in order, self-controlled, not impulsive, addicted, or greedy; but hospitable, good, and sensible. They were to hold fast to the faithful word, so they could exhort others in sound doctrine and refute those who contradicted it.

Knowing the Word of God, with a proper understanding, to be able to soundly teach and correct any errors of thinking which oppose God and His word, are a vital part of being an overseer. In fact, every Christian should pursue this kind of understanding of the Word—knowing intimately what you profess to believe. We will always "know in part" while here on the earth, but our pursuit of a full and accurate understanding of the Word should always remain.


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