- Behind the Scenes
- Gal. 2:1-3 – What was Paul doing in
- What role did Titus play – in this whole thing?
- What responsibilities did Paul give Titus (prior to going to
- 2Cor.
- 2 Cor. 8:6 Trip #2
- 2 Cor. 7:6-7 Trip #3 possibly
Notice 2 Corinthians 2:1-4, 9 and 7:8-9 – Titus carried a letter to the Corinthians on behalf of paul.
- What do these passages say about Titus’ character and personality?
- 2 Cor. 7:6-9 and 8:6,16017
- 2 Cor. 8:23
- 2 Cor.
- 1 Cor.
- Titus 1:5
- Why could Paul give Titus a huge responsibility in
(2 Cor. 12:18, Titus 1:4, 2 Timothy 2:2)
Paul had trained him to the point, Paul knew him so well, that he could be entrusted with any thing. Titus proved that with the Corinthians.
- The Job – Straighten Out What Was Not Done Yet
Appoint Elders(Spiritual leaders of the church)
- What qualities did Paul stress to Titus he should look for in appointing elders? Why are these qualities stressed? (1:6-9)
i. V.6-
ii. V.7-
iii. V.8-
iv. V.9-
- Why is mentoring so key in a person’s spiritual development (2:2-10)
i. Why teach sound doctrine? (
ii. Who is to teach whom and why?
iii. What issues and areas need to be covered with each group/gender?
- 1. What is so important about teaching Grace? (2:11-14, 3:3-8)(Brought salvation, helps us to live correctly, gives us insight to what we have been given as heirs, encourages us to do good works)
2. Why are good works important to do for Christians?
3. Have a Quality Attitude
A. How was Titus to speak to others(
B. What attitudes did Paul stress leaders should have(3:1-2)?
C. What conversations should leaders avoid and why(3:9-11)?
4. From this study on Titus, how are leaders to appoint elders, what should be in a potential elder?
Titus
Although not mentioned in Acts, Titus was one of Paul’s companions in whom he placed a considerable amount of trust. He is first heard of at the time of the Gentile controversy when he accompanied Paul and Barnabas to
A more delicate task was the smoothing over of the tense situation which had arisen between Paul and the Corinthians, a task which clearly demanded a man of great tact and force of character. He appears to have been a stronger personality than Timothy (cf. 1 Corinthians
From the Epistle addressed to him it may be surmised that Titus accompanied Paul to
Titus (written 63-65 A.D. – sent from
- Greek Companion of Paul’s
- With Paul in
- Sent to
- Accompanied Paul to
- Left by Paul in
- Ordained bishop of Cretians (Titus 1:1-4)
- With Paul in
- At
- Titus(book) written about same time as 1 Timothy – because of similarities between what Paul writes in both books.
- He was a go getter, passionate leader. Could be counted on – the “go to” guy. Had diplomacy and firm resolve.
- Acted the same way as Paul would have (2 Cor.
Paul establishes again his place and role in the church.
Titus 1:1-4 – v.1 – Servant of God
Apostle of Jesus for 1, faith of God’s elect, 2, knowledge of the truth that leads to Godliness. God was using Paul to call out a people for himself and to teach them the truth that is needed for godly living – Paul’s ministry was armed at both the salvation and sanctification of God’s people.
v. 2-3 – All of Paul’s ministry was “a view” to eternal life (resting on) God promised eternal life from the beginning.
- In God’s timing all things occur including when Jesus came and Paul was called.
“For such a time as this.” – Esther
v.4 – To Titus – my true son – Paul was probably responsible for Titus’ conversion.
1. True discipleship and mentorship
2. Was one of Paul’s most faithful and dependable and trusted workers.
3. Travel companion and special liaison
a. sent to
b. Left in
c. good at conflict management (
4. What did Paul mentor into Titus? Why disciple and mentor?
5. He gives Titus his authority to do what he needs to (v. 5)
a. What qualities would that require?
1:5-9 – Qualifications of the Elder – Character attributes
1:5 – Titus’ job was to produce/prepare leaders
1. Choose the men - How creative am I at finding new people to invest in?
2. Cultivate the models – How am I doing at turning my people into examples?
3. Create the ministries – How am I at creating ministry opportunities for these leaders?
4. Construct the management – How am I at monitoring them along the way?
5. Communicate the mindset – How am I at constantly keeping the vision alive?
6. Celebrate the mentoring – How do I encourage and celebrate growth?
v.5 – Set in order business that Paul was unable to complete.
Appointing elders in every town
*Paul gave him that authority – person of high standards. His job was to organize the people and appoint leaders/prepare. >Africa ECZ churches
Leadership is more caught than taught.
v.6 – Similar to 1 Tim. 3
· Blameless –well thought of – David – a man after God’s own heart
· Husband of one wife – Faithful to his wife
· A man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient (rebellions)
v.7 –
· Because of the great responsibility with God’s work. (be blameless as the steward of God)
· Not overbearing (not arrogant) not self willed.
· Not quick tempered (not touchy)
· Not given to drunkenness (heavy drinker)
· Not violent
· Not pursuing dishonest gains (not covetous)
v.8 –
· Hospitable (enjoy having people over)
· Loves what is good
· Self controlled (be fair) – temperate and sensible
· Upright (live wisely)
· Holy (devout)
· Disciplined
1:9 – Hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught. ( know it and teach it correctly) – need to continually grow in knowledge and understanding of Scripture. You’ve got to be able to handle the truth.
For two reasons – Why? So that encourage others by the sound doctrine (with right teaching)
Show and share the right way, the right interpretations; be able to teach the Word.
And refute those who oppose it (show those who oppose it where they are wrong) – Show people where they have gone wrong with the Word and be bold enough to stand up for truth; be able to show those who are teaching the Word incorrectly the right interpretation and/or application.
*Bottom line is in order for a person to be a leader of a church/ministry, you need maturity spiritually, emotionally and so often physically.
vs.5-9 – Qualifications for church leadership. Paul hits on 5 areas.
1. Personal life – blameless, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not violent, sober minded, holy, self controlled.
2. Family life – husband of one wife, with faithful children
3. Social life – hospitable, not acused of dissipation (being wild), not given to wine
4. Financial life – Steward of God, not greedy for money
5. Professional life – not accused of insubordination, lover of what is good, just holding fast the faithful word, able to exhort and convict those who contradict.
v.10 – Gives the reason for verse 9 –
10 – There is a bunch of people who are rebellious, mere talkers, deceivers among the Jews
- Deceivers among the circumcision – They were attempting to refute Paul’s teachings.
- Timothy faced similar opposition in
- Mere talkers – Talk a lot but don’t say anything
*As an elder, a spiritual leader, you have to be willing to speak the truth with boldness, meekness as opportunity rises.
v.11 – This group of Jews must be stopped, must be kept from more destructive talking
Why?? – They are destroying whole households, families, by what they are teaching. Plus they are/were making money from it.
v.12 – Paul quotes Epimedes, a Cretan poet and philosopher from 600 BC who was considered to be a religious prophet. The saying had truth to it, the Cretans had a general reputation of being liars, though the churches had noble Christians in their midst. Paul was emphasizing the false teachers possessed these baser Cretan tendencies.
- God’s grace turned the lives of Cretans around, so they weren’t the way described in this verse – liars, lazy, beastly.
v.13-14 – though not myths – cultural Christianity vs Biblical Christianity
· Testimony is true – There is truth to what Paul said in previous verse; no getting around that.
· This is what Titus is to do to deal with the situation
Rebuke them sharply in order that they will be healthy in the faith. The ultimate goal is to restore someone, to recover them from their error (Gal. 6:1-2) Discipline is to be used to draw a person back.
· Paul wanted these false teachers to get right spiritually and get away from Jewish myths and the commandments of men who are teaching in error(traditionalists, legalism[saved by the law and live by the law{619 additional rulers set forth by the Pharisees}]). Some of the other writings were the Talmud.
· It wasn’t shock therapy but Paul instructed Titus to get “in their faces”
· We have to be careful of what we tell others to do spiritually –“You must do…….to be spiritual.” What myths and fables do we offer up?
(problem solving sheet)
v 15 – Commands of v 14 probably included from Jewish and Gnostic influences, rules about eating, drinking and purification(Col. 2:20-23, 1 Tim. 4:1-5)
· Remember Jesus’ teachings on purification was largely a matter of the internal rather than the external (Mark
· The problem is the mind and conscience of the teachers were impure; thus they spewed out impurity. *Romans 12:2 – Renew the mind.
· If someone is going to change, you have to do an inside job. That is true for salvation as well as sanctification.
v.16 – They say they are Christians but their actions are speaking so loud that others can not hear the words nor see any evidences of being a Christian – Hypocrisy
· James 1:22-25,
· Ceremonies and rituals cannot change a person. Only the Word can. What is inside is what comes out, not reverse.
· Abominable – detestable, disobedient, unfit=disapproved for doing anything good.
· Paul connected theological error with moral deficiency
Chapter 2-v 1 – You must……But as for you! Teach healthy teaching and live that healthy teaching accordingly. Your lifestyle and behaviors will validate sound teaching. Victims of false teachers were out of harmony with sound doctrine. Titus – teach the Word (Col. 4:2, 1 Tim.
v.2 – Paul begins with the older men – Why?
- Teach several things – Temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love and endurance – (Show maturity)
- Temperate – to be at home > pleasant, to be beautiful (not the grumpy old men group). Be attractive in personality.
- Worthy of respect – How do you gain respect? Experience, consistency, integrity, treatment of others, serious-minded >not clowns, Grave – honest
- Self-controlled – Sexually, tongue, attitude, food and beverage intake
- Marks of godliness – 3 central Christian virtues of faith, love and endurance
Endurance is closely aligned with hope
- How do I love others, God, myself?
- How do I show my faith?
- How do I show endurance or hope?
v.3 – Older Women
- Behave reverently in the way they live – develop holiness. Their lifestyle was to teach sound doctrine.
- Don’t be slanderous and addicted to much wine – these were potential problems as older women whose families were grown, had too much idle time on their hands. Don’t be false accusers, gossipers.
- Rather teach young women what is good. Older women were being encouraged to reach outside their homes and share what they had learned with those who would profit from it most. (young women’s focus was home.)
v.4-5 – This is what was to be taught to the younger women. The list emphasized in the original, first what young wives and moms are to be (character) and second what they are to do.
1. Love their husbands and children. How do you do that? What would you teach or share with younger women? Man wants to be respected – so serve him. Serve
2. Be self-controlled (discreet) – How? Discipline, schedule or projects list
3. Pure (chaste) – How? Modesty, keep themselves for their husbands
4. Homemakers (or busy at home) – don’t be idle, gossiper, keep the home well (Can the wife work outside the home?)
5. Good (kind) – Hospitable, friendly, caring, gentle
6. Subject to their husbands (obedient to husbands) – Listen, serve, respond to her husband’s love. Because of the relationship of the spouses, each can be subject to each other.
*Bottom line is that the Word may not be blasphemed or maligned. Young Christian wives and mothers earn the respect of outsiders and not malign the Word. Value what He values. He will then vindicate both His Word and those faithful to it.
v.6 – Young men – be sober minded, be self controlled (moderation, sensibility, self-restraint). Titus could do this one – exhort, encourage the young men.
v.7 – 1. Titus is told to be the example, the pattern to all, but especially young men. Titus is encouraged to do what is right in every setting.
2. In the area of teaching the Word, show integrity, seriousness(reverence), incorruptible (his teaching would show his complete faith in the Word and appreciate the seriousness of the matters he is dealing with.). Let people know that the Word is a holy book that is to be enjoyed & studied, but given a great deal of reverence.
v.8 – Soundness in his speech (whether it be preaching or normal cionversation) would not be condemned. Your speech should show if you are with God or not.
WHY – That way those who oppose you will be ashamed of their attacks because they have no ammunition for their attacks. The coal will fall on them. False accusations have a way of coming back to bite the accusers in the butt. (1 Tim. 4:12) i.e. Daniel 6!
How do you keep teaching sound and your speech right on?
Scripture, hang around Christians going thru tough things, people praying, self-discipline, stay sober and off of drugs, someone train you if you have a gossiping or swearing mouth.
v.9-10 – Slaves made up a good percent of the early Church (maybe up to 90% of names on the catacomb walls were slaves or ex-slaves). This group was an important bunch in the early Church. They were to honor God with their lives.
5 qualities Titus was to teach to them (think about this as an employer/employee relationship)
1. Be subject to their masters in everything – Be obedient
2. Try to please them in all things – do your best because you are ultimately doing this for the Lord, not the earthly master or boss (Col. 3:23-24) (Our work is both hand and heart.).
3. Don’t talk back – hold your tongue, no gossip, no snipping or grumbling, no being disrespectful.
(v.10) 4. Don’t steal from them (pilfering) – Materially, time, financial, ideas, copyright, praise
5. Show that you can be fully trusted (showing all good fidelity) – Faithfulness (i.e Joseph in Potifer’s house and in prison) – How do you develop to that level especially when we are told to only do so much, nothing more and keep to your own area of responsibility?
Why should slaves (employees) do those 5 things?
So that I nevery way they make the teachings about God attractive!
KJV – Adorn = cosmetics (Greek word we get cosmetics from).
Wear the doctrines of God in such a way that you will draw people to Christ. Be out of the ordinary, live at a higher level – Col. 3:23-24, 1Peter
How can we live at a higher level?
Our behavior needs to be consistent, in accord with scripture – your walk talks & your talk talks but…..
Role of Grace in Promoting Godly Behavior – Keep reminding the people what Christ has done for us.
Ch. 2:11-14 Educating the Power of Grace
v.11 – When fully understood, it is the Gospel of the grace of God that teaches Christians how to live. This grace has brought salvation to all men in that it is universally available (appeared)(Eph. 2:8-9)
v.12 – The grace of God has redeemed us. That grace helps (leads) us to say “no” to ungodly things and wordly passions and desires. What are ungodly and worldly?
The grace of God does help us to say yes to living self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present time, world. Live for Him and avoid worldly lusts. How do you live a godly life and what are evidences of such a life?
v.13 – Keep living godly lives while we wait for our blessed Hope, the glorious appearing of our great awesome God. Knowing that we have been shown love, mercy, compassion, forgivness, gentleness, kindness, ect. by His grace, we need to live the same way!parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt.
That is the present reason. We must also live godly because of our glorious future. My life needs to draw others to Christ – letting people know we have a glorious Hope. They have to see the present reality to place their faith in a future Hope. Do I live my life for myself or for others?? I it about me or is it about ________ , drawing that person to Christ. – Temporal verses eternal.
v.14 – Redeem (set free by payment of a price)
Knowing that Jesus paid a terrible price to set free from death, wickedness and purifying (me/us) for Himself, as people that are His very own (peculiar, own special people), would I not want to live my life in such a way that conforms to His will, lest I disappoint Him at His return. Why would I not be eager to do good, be zealous to do good works so as many people as possible would see Jesus in me! (1 John 3:3)
*Ungodly living in a Christian is a clear sign that either the person does not fully understand these verses or he does not believe them or is not a Christian.
Ch.2:15-Ch.3:2 – Gracious behavior that results from grace
v.15 – Titus was a fairly young man and Paul exhorts, challenges, instructed him to be aggressive in his public ministry, encouraging those who were doing well and rebuking those who needed to be corrected; not to be intimidated by no one. Titus needed and had clear instructions.
It takes spiritual courage to say no and do what is right especially when it is not popular nor a good majority. Paul prepared both Titus and Timothy to be able to stand on their own spiritual feet and live their lives so as to be able to lead Churches in the right direction. They had the knowledge and skills to do that. Paul taught, instructed and then empowered them to do the ministry set before them. Each one of us should work to mentor others to help develop them so as to have them reproduce their lives in others.
- Remind the church people to be good citizens within their communities, something that was definitely lacking or deficient among Cretans.
- Pastors’ jobs include reminding people of what they already know.
- Though not mentioned, Paul’s thought was that this behavior should be like that of a Christian’s love, adorning the gospel and making it attractive to others.
- A Christian citizen should be an influence for good in the community, demonstrating Jesus’ loveliness through courteous and gracious behavior.
*This is the lifestyle that results as you understand God’s grace.
· 7 qualities of Christian citizens:
1. Be subject to rulers and authorities.
2. Be obedient – obey the laws of the land. *When do we go against the law?
3. Be Ready to do whatever is good. Good works need not be just working out of a church.
v.2 4. Slander no one (speak no evil of anyone) – don’t malign people, don’t gossip, don’t repeat what we say, “Some people will be anything if it is whispered to them.”
5. Be peaceable (be no brawler) How?
6. Considerate (gentle) How?
7. Showing true humility to all – (showing meekness) How? Phil. 2:3-4 – be willing to speak your mind but be able to leave it there – agree to disagree! Stay under Control. Put others ahead of you.
-Grace is a motivation for godly living (3:3-8)
v.3 – We have all had “ before Christ” days and lives. This shows the depravity of man and the state of affairs the world is in today. This illustrates the depth and vastness of His grace. It is only by God’s grace that I am what I am. We were at that time foolish (how are the unsaved foolish?). - not being sensible.
Disobedient – how are we disobedient? (not submissive)
Deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures (not self-disciplined and ready for every good work) – Can’t or don’t have the power to overcome habits.
Malice and envy being hated and hating one another – (opposite of peaceable, considerate, humble) – This characterizes the brutality and viciousness of a society. Without the Holy Spirit in the world today, hell would be on earth. Christians do temper the world situations. (“While a veneer of civilization often obscures the bleak truth, the slightest crack in the surface of society reveals the reality behind the facade.”)
***Thus if we believers are saved by grace, why then can we not overcome things described in vs. 3 ?? i.e. Racial division in our churches for many years, relationships broken because we disagree over parts of the Bible and the results are envy and some levels of malice.
v.4 – When Kindness (excellence in character, gentleness, goodness) and the love of God our saved came onto the scene – God is the initiator, we are the recipients. We could have in anyway, shape or form brought this on. His kindness – He was looking out for us, He didn’t have to do what he would do with Jesus. He could have started over. He could have sent us all to hell.
What thoughts come to your mind when you think about His kindness and love?
v.5 – 1. God in His grace saved us, those who believe.
2. We had no righteousness, nothing worthy of putting on the positive side of the good/bad, redemption/damnation scale.
3. Rather it was His mercy that He did save us
>Kindness, love, mercy all represent aspects of God’s grace. Jesus’ death did it all.
4. He saved us by the (a.) washing of rebirth (regeneration)
Regeneration – spiritual rebirth or renovation, messianic restoration
Washing – means laver (laver was a wash bowl in the court of the tabernacle and later the temple) (Eph.5:25-26, Heb.
(b.) Renewal of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3ff) – Holy Spirit renews, regenerates us. He renovates us, makes everything new, does change on our character, ect. Renewing – continual process. This verse focuses on what God totally does, nothing we do.
v.6 – God poured out the Holy Spirit generously through Jesus our Savior. Generously or abundantly – very willing to give. I t began with the day of Pentecost.
v.7 – His purpose for pouring out the Holy Spirit on us was that, having be justified (just as we had not sinned), we might/would become heirs having the hope of eternal life. The Holy Spirit’s ministry is intimately involved with bringing to fruition or reality God’s gracious purposes to save – By being justified the Holy Spirit seals our guaranteed inheritance (because we are heirs) – Eph. 1:13-14 – Our inheritance is heaven, eternal life with God. Being the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are marked because the Holy Spirit is in us. So we belong to Him and He is coming for us. (
v.8 – Faithful or trustworthy saying – (1 Tim.
- Stress that being saved by grace, the Cretans need to occupy their time by doing good works, promote godly behavior among the Cretans.
- Twice before (2:1,15) Paul instructed Titus to teach these things in accordance with sound behavior.
- Paul was deeply concerned that God’s people devote themselves to doing what is good because these things are excellent and profitable for everyone. It builds up the Body and shows /manifests Jesus to the lost world. – How else does good works promote or illustrate Jesus?
- Good works are the fruit of sound doctrine.
Behavior not consistent with grace (3:9-11)
v.9 – Avoid , turn away from, stay away from foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments and quarrels about the law (circumcision, Pharisees 619 extra rules) because they useless, unnecessary, dumb, gets you no where, only gets people bent out of shape. These things can side track you.
- What are such discussions today, what is divisive today? What behaviors are such also?
v.10 – Reject a divisive, heretic person after the 1st and 2nd warning or admonition. Don’t stay with him, it only gets worse. Don’t have anything to do with that person. So people who are advocating useless things, arguments and thereby giving and permeating a divisive and destructive influence in the church, cut him off! Give 2 warnings and then have nothing to do with that person.
- Why two warnings?
v.11 – Failure to yield after 2 warnings gives the indication that the offender’s thinking is warped and sinful, condemning himself. This is similar to Jesus’ teaching in Matt. 18:15-17 where the offender is given three chances, then cut off (2 Thess.
Final Instructions:
v.12 – Nicopolis – was on the Adriatic coast of
- Tychicus – Companion of Paul’s (Acts 20:4, Eph.
- Artemus – nothing known.
v.13 – Zenas the lawer – nothing mentioned anywhere in N.T. and nothing known about him, not even if he was Jewish or Roman.
- Apollos – converted Jew, eloquent, fervent, mighty in scriptures (Acts
- instructed in the gospel by Aquillo and Priscilla (Acts
- very popular in
- possibly hesitated to return there for that reason (1 Cor.
- Seems that both Zenas and Apollos were in
v.14 – Paul gives a final admonition about good works. We need to learn to maintain good works. It is something that must be worked at and know that God puts high stock in them.
- There is suggested that the Cretan Christians may have manifested some of their countrymen’s traits (
- Paul stresses the need for good works, to serve others. (Eph. 4:28) and not to live and lead unproductive lives. (2 Thess. 3:10-15)
v.15 – Everyone with me sends you (plural) greetings. People were always with Paul. He was always teaching, mentoring, doing things with others. Do I want to live my life that way??
- Greet those who love us in the faith – excluded the false teachers of those who opposed Paul..
- Grace be with you all – similar to 1 and 2 Timothy
- You – plural – addressing a broader audience than Titus.
