Titus Chapter 1

Paul's Greeting to Titus

(2 Corinthians 8:16-24)

1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Appointment of Elders on Crete

5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Correcting False Teachers

10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Paul’s Greeting to Titus
(2 Corinthians 8:16–24)

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began; 3 but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;

4 to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Appointing Elders on Crete
(1 Timothy 3:1–7; 1 Peter 5:1–4)

5 I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; 6 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. 7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; 8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.

Correcting False Teachers
(1 Timothy 1:3–11)

10 For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 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. 16 They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Paul’s Greeting to Titus
(2 Corinthians 8:16–24)

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. a 3 In His own time He has made His word evident in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.

4 To Titus, my true child in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Appointing Elders on Crete
(1 Timothy 3:1–7; 1 Peter 5:1–4)

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, b having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.

7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. 8 Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

Correcting False Teachers
(1 Timothy 1:3–11)

10 For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not. 12 As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” c

13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.

15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

Footnotes:

2 a Literally before times eternal
6 b Or faithful to his wife
12 c This quote, also known as the Epimenides paradox, has been attributed to the Cretan philosopher Epimenides of Knossos.

Paul's Greeting to Titus

(2 Corinthians 8:16-24)

1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the choice ones of God, and an acknowledging of truth that is according to piety, 2upon hope of life age-during, which God, who doth not lie, did promise before times of ages, 3(and He manifested in proper times His word,) in preaching, which I was entrusted with, according to a charge of God our Saviour,

4to Titus -- true child according to a common faith: Grace, kindness, peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour!

Appointment of Elders on Crete

5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that the things lacking thou mayest arrange, and mayest set down in every city elders, as I did appoint to thee; 6if any one is blameless, of one wife a husband, having children stedfast, not under accusation of riotous living or insubordinate -- 7for it behoveth the overseer to be blameless, as God's steward, not self-pleased, nor irascible, not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8but a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, sober-minded, righteous, kind, self-controlled, 9holding -- according to the teaching -- to the stedfast word, that he may be able also to exhort in the sound teaching, and the gainsayers to convict;

Correcting False Teachers

10for there are many both insubordinate, vain-talkers, and mind-deceivers -- especially they of the circumcision -- 11whose mouth it behoveth to stop, who whole households do overturn, teaching what things it behoveth not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said -- 'Cretans! always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies!' 13this testimony is true; for which cause convict them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14not giving heed to Jewish fables and commands of men, turning themselves away from the truth; 15all things, indeed, are pure to the pure, and to the defiled and unstedfast is nothing pure, but of them defiled are even the mind and the conscience; 16God they profess to know, and in the works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work disapproved.

The Favor of God paraphrase

Introduction: Paul’s Mission

¹ From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus, sent to proclaim the faith of God’s chosen people and to help them truly know the truth that leads to godliness. ² This truth gives them hope of eternal life, which God—who never lies—promised before time began. ³ At just the right time, He revealed His word through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior. ⁴ To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Appointing Elders in Crete

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete was to set things in order and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. ⁶ An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, and have children who are believers and not open to accusations of wild or rebellious living. ⁷ Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁸ Rather, he must be hospitable, love what is good, be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Confronting False Teachers

¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. ¹¹ They must be silenced because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. ¹² One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith ¹⁴ and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶ They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.

Footnotes:

1.“Servant of God” (verse 1) translates the Greek doulos, meaning bondservant or slave, emphasizing Paul’s total dedication to God’s mission.

2.“Eternal life” (verse 2) emphasizes God’s promise of an unending life in His presence, a core element of Christian hope and faith. The Greek word aionios refers to an eternal, unchangeable life.

3.“Blameless” (verse 6) comes from the Greek anegklētos, meaning not open to accusation or criticism, indicating a high moral and ethical standard required of church leaders.

4.“Circumcision group” (verse 10) refers to those promoting Jewish laws and rituals, particularly circumcision, as necessary for salvation. Paul consistently opposes such legalism in his letters.

5.“Cretans are always liars” (verse 12) references a saying attributed to the Cretan philosopher Epimenides, whose description of his own people became well-known. Paul uses it here to emphasize the need for strong leadership to counter cultural tendencies.

6.“Rebuke them sharply” (verse 13) translates the Greek elencho, which means to convict or correct firmly, emphasizing the need for a strong response to false teaching.

7.“To the pure, all things are pure” (verse 15) is a reflection of how those with pure hearts and intentions can see purity in what they do, but those with corrupt minds find corruption in everything, no matter the outward appearance.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Titus 1?

2Introduction to Titus 1

3Context of Titus 1

4Ancient Key Word Study

5Compare & Contrast

6Titus 1 Unique Insights

7Titus 1 Connections to Yeshua

8Titus 1 Scriptural Echoes

9Titus 1 Devotional

10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Titus 1?

Introduction to Titus 1

Titus 1 opens a powerful pastoral epistle that provides essential guidance for church leadership and spiritual maturity in the face of cultural challenges. Written by the Apostle Paul to his trusted colleague Titus, this opening chapter establishes apostolic authority and outlines qualifications for spiritual leadership that remain remarkably relevant today. The chapter serves as a masterful blend of personal encouragement, theological truth, and practical instruction for establishing order in newly formed congregations.

The significance of this chapter lies in its clear articulation of how sound doctrine and godly character must unite in those who lead God’s people. Through Paul’s careful instruction to Titus, we gain invaluable insights into the nature of authentic spiritual leadership and the critical importance of maintaining doctrinal purity in the face of opposition.

Context of Titus 1

This letter was written after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, during his continued missionary journeys around 63-65 CE. Titus had been left on the island of Crete to organize and establish proper leadership in the young congregations there. The immediate context reveals the challenging environment of Cretan culture, where new believers needed clear guidance to live out their faith amidst pagan influences.

Within the broader New Testament context, Titus 1 parallels similar instructions found in 1 Timothy 3 regarding church leadership. However, its unique emphasis on confronting false teachers and its specific attention to the Cretan context provides distinct insights into how the Gospel transforms diverse cultural settings.

The chapter also connects to the larger biblical narrative of God establishing leadership among His people, echoing the appointment of elders in Israel (Exodus 18:21) and the qualities required of those who would serve in positions of spiritual authority.

Ancient Key Word Study

δοῦλος (doulos) – “servant” (v.1): More than just an employee, this term denoted complete devotion and ownership. Paul’s use as the opening self-description emphasizes his total submission to God’s authority and connects to the prophetic tradition of being God’s servant.
ἐπίγνωσιν (epignōsin) – “knowledge” (v.1): This compound word combines ἐπί (upon) with γνῶσις (knowledge), indicating a deep, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual understanding. It appears frequently in Paul’s writings to describe transformative knowledge of divine truth.
πρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous) – “elders” (v.5): This term carried significant weight in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, referring to mature leaders with proven wisdom. Its use here bridges cultural understandings of leadership while establishing a distinctly Christian application.
ἀνέγκλητος (anegklētos) – “blameless” (v.6): Literally meaning “not called in” (as to court), this legal term describes someone against whom no valid accusation can be brought. The choice of this specific word emphasizes the public nature of elder qualification.
αὐθάδη (authadē) – “self-willed” (v.7): Combining αὐτός (self) with ἥδομαι (pleasure), this term described someone stubbornly pleased with themselves. Its inclusion in the negative qualifications highlights the danger of self-centered leadership.
φιλόξενον (philoxenon) – “hospitable” (v.8): Literally “lover of strangers,” this compound word reflects the crucial role of hospitality in early Christian community life and leadership. It went beyond mere entertaining to include protecting and providing for travelers and those in need.
ματαιολόγοι (mataiologoi) – “empty talkers” (v.10): A vivid compound word combining μάταιος (empty/vain) with λόγος (word/speech). Paul coined this term to describe those who spoke impressively but without substance, particularly targeting false teachers.
ἐπιστομίζειν (epistomizein) – “to silence” (v.11): Originally used for muzzling animals, this powerful verb emphasizes the necessary forceful restraint of false teachers. The agricultural imagery would have resonated with the rural Cretan context.

Compare & Contrast

The greeting’s elaborate theological phrasing (v.1-4) uses ἀπόστολος (apostle) rather than the simpler διάκονος (servant), establishing Paul’s authority while maintaining his servant heart. The extended introduction serves to reinforce both Paul’s authority and the gospel’s transformative power.
In verse 5, the use of κατάστησῃς (appoint) rather than ἐκλέγω (choose) emphasizes the official, authoritative nature of elder appointment. This word choice connects to Old Testament leadership establishment patterns.
The qualification list employs μὴ (not) phrases rather than negative adjectives, suggesting these are ongoing character traits rather than past failures. This grammatical choice emphasizes the present, active nature of leadership requirements.
Paul’s use of μὴ αἰσχροκερδῆ (not greedy for gain) rather than simply φιλάργυρον (lover of money) in verse 7 broadens the concern beyond mere financial greed to any form of self-serving leadership.
The description of Cretans (v.12) uses their own prophet’s words rather than direct criticism, demonstrating cultural engagement while maintaining prophetic critique.
The term καθαροῖς (pure) in verse 15 is chosen over ἁγίοις (holy), emphasizing internal state rather than external consecration.
The strong contrast between ὁμολογοῦσιν (profess) and ἀρνοῦνται (deny) in verse 16 creates a powerful rhetorical effect highlighting the disparity between claims and conduct.

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Titus 1 Unique Insights

The reference to “Cretans are always liars” (v.12) quotes the Cretan philosopher Epimenides, demonstrating Paul’s awareness of local cultural discourse. This creates an interesting logical paradox known as the “Epimenides Paradox” – if all Cretans are liars, and Epimenides was a Cretan, how can his statement be true? Paul’s use of this quote shows sophisticated engagement with Greek philosophical traditions while adapting them for pastoral purposes.

Early church fathers like Clement of Alexandria saw in the elder qualifications a pattern for Christian leadership that balanced both character and competence. The emphasis on both personal virtue and ability to teach sound doctrine established a model that influenced church governance for centuries.

The chapter’s concern with false teachers takes on added significance when considered alongside archaeological evidence of the Cretan religious context. Discoveries have revealed the prevalence of mystery cults and emperor worship on the island, helping us understand the specific challenges Titus faced in establishing Christian communities.

The mention of “Jewish myths” (v.14) likely refers to extra-biblical traditions that were gaining influence in early Christian communities. The Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient Jewish texts help us understand the type of speculative teachings Paul warned against.

Titus 1 Connections to Yeshua

The opening verses’ emphasis on truth and eternal life connects directly to Yeshua’s declaration of Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Paul’s concern for sound doctrine and genuine faith reflects the Messiah’s own warnings about false teachers (Matthew 7:15).

The qualifications for elders mirror many of the characteristics Yeshua demonstrated in His earthly ministry – being above reproach, not self-willed, showing hospitality, and loving what is good. This alignment shows how church leadership should reflect the character of the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).

Titus 1 Scriptural Echoes

The emphasis on appointing elders recalls Moses’ appointment of leaders (Numbers 11:16-17) and Jethro’s advice about choosing capable men (Exodus 18:21-22). The qualifications echo wisdom literature’s descriptions of righteous leadership (Proverbs 29:4).

The concern for sound doctrine connects to prophetic warnings about false teachers (Jeremiah 23:16) and the need for leaders who will speak truth (Ezekiel 34:1-10). The emphasis on both character and teaching ability reflects the biblical pattern of leaders who both live and proclaim God’s truth.

Titus 1 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our understanding of spiritual leadership and our own walk with God. The qualifications for elders serve not only as standards for church leaders but as goals for Christian maturity that all believers should aspire to. How do we measure up to these standards of character and conduct?

The emphasis on sound doctrine reminds us that what we believe shapes how we live. In our age of countless competing voices and teachings, how carefully do we guard our hearts and minds against false teaching? Are we growing in our ability to discern truth from error?

Paul’s concern for the impact of culture on the church speaks to our own cultural challenges today. Like Titus, we must learn to navigate between engaging our culture redemptively while standing firm against its corrupting influences.

Did You Know

The island of Crete had a population of nearly one million people in the first century and was known throughout the Roman world for its notorious moral reputation.
The quote “Cretans are always liars” comes from a poem about Zeus by Epimenides, written around 600 BCE, showing Paul’s familiarity with Greek literature.
The term “elder” (presbyteros) was used in both Jewish synagogues and Greek civic administration, making it a culturally bridging concept for church leadership.
The requirement for elders to be “husband of one wife” addressed both Jewish polygamy and the common Greek practice of maintaining mistresses.
Archaeological discoveries have found evidence of over 100 cities in ancient Crete, helping us understand the scope of Titus’s organizational task.
The phrase “sound doctrine” uses a medical metaphor in Greek (hygianō), literally meaning “healthy teaching.”
The description of false teachers as “empty talkers” (mataiologoi) is a word that Paul apparently coined, showing his creative use of language to address new challenges.
The emphasis on hospitality reflected a crucial need in the ancient world, where Christian travelers needed safe places to stay to avoid persecution and pagan temple lodging.
The reference to “Jewish myths” likely refers to elaborative traditions about Old Testament stories that were popular in the first century.
The qualifications for elders in Titus parallel those in 1 Timothy but are adapted to address specific challenges in the Cretan context.

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