Titus – December 18

In this epistle we get another personal look at the words Paul has for Titus who is overseeing the church in Crete. Just as he did with Timothy, Paul reminds Titus of his priorities while there. He says in Titus 1:5, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.” Paul said Crete had “many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers,” and their “mouths must be stopped,” because they “subvert whole households” (See Titus 1:10-11). This was urgent; new believers were being carried away with serious error. What was the solution?  Strengthen the church with truth, and establish leaders that can be a strong foundation for the church in Crete. Paul outlines the qualifications for an overseer (a leader) in the church in verses 6-9.

They must be…
1.     blameless
2.     the husband of one wife
3.     having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination 
4.     blameless as a steward of God
5.     not self-willed
6.     not quick-tempered
7.     not given to wine
8.     not violent
9.     not greedy for money
10.   hospitable
11.   a lover of what is good
12.   sober-minded
13.   just
14.   holy
15.   self-controlled
16.   holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

After 15 qualifications that have to do with a person’s character, he lists being able to exhort and convict with the word of God last. Knowing, and being able to teach God’s word was necessary, but the man had to have godly character for them to be placed into leadership.

Most of the letter of Titus pertains to the character the church should be living in.  In one instance, after talking about how a servant should live their life toward their masters, Paul says it is so they, “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10). When we walk humbly in godly character it makes the gospel look good to the world!