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TITUS
Background: Titus was a Gentile as indicated in Gal.
2:3-5. He attended
the council
in Jerusalem, 49 A.D. Paul had a part in converting him. Last mentioned
in II Tim. 4:10; tradition says he died of old age in Crete as a
faithful Christian
(as bishop
there). He was one of the Gentile
converts who had an important position
in God's
work. Book was written shortly after
his first release 61 A.D., possibly
between 61
and 64 A.D. It was during this period
that he wrote this letter to Titus.
Titus was in charge of the
Christians on Crete. II Cor. 2:13. It is
believed that
the epistle
was written from Ephesus or possibly Corinth. Equipped for
Every Good
Work says from Ephesus which is probably most likely right. Titus seems to have been
older and
more of a sturdy personality than Timothy. Acts 2:11 -- from Crete there
were Cretians present on the Day of Pentecost.
CHAPTER 1.
V. 1 - Paul once again shows his
apostolic authority as he is instructing with
authority.
2 - Purposed in God and Christ before thin
present age, God predestined before
our age some
to come to salvation.
3 - God working out His plan directly to
man. Commanded by God to preach and
instruct
the truth.
4 - Son -- begotten by the Gospel.
5 - Titus was an evangelist. Here is God's government from top on down.
Appointed -- not voted
in.
6 - Qualifications of elders given. It is important that a man in a local
Church
be
married; polygamy and bigamy were forbidden. With faithful children
children
that he is still responsible for.
Children must be well behaved.
7 - Does blameless mean perfect? No, but
as far as he can be from real sin by
which
he can be justly accused by others. Not self-willed -- note this is
placed
first because it is so important. A man who is self-willed disqual
ifies himself. A minister cannot show his color,
his self, his prejudices,
his
own way. God is the boss,
He is to be served, not us. We must be
fully
surrendered to God. Not soon angry -- controls his temper.
8 - He appreciates quality -- not
slipshod. The physical appearance describes
his
spiritual frame of mind.
9 - Convince -- convict (p). This does
not mean convert them, it means to give
them
a witness of the truth that convicts them.
A man must have power in
his
personality to be a good minister.
They must be able to dominate a
situation
and take over.
10 - Judaising
influences had been coming into Crete.
11 - Whole families had turned from the
truth -- money was involved.
13 - Applies to Cretians
as a whole. Paul agrees (quoting from poetry) that the
Cretians
are of this nature. Paul says, "Make your words pointed" -- rebuke.
15 - Everything becomes filthy to their minds,
especially by tying everything
into
sex.
16 - Jews and false teachers who had
crept in were doing this.
CHAPTER 2.
V. 2 - He was even to instruct aged
men and women. Women are to be teachers,
especially
of the young.
5 - Homeworkers
-- not office or factory workers. A wife and a mother are the
highest
calling. The whole order of creation would be blasphemed if women
refuse
to obey their husbands.
8 - Don't be
"smiley" all the time. People must respect you, and you must
be
serious
minded. Don't make "light" jokes, cut up, drink too much or do any
such thing that will give
others room for disparaging remarks
10 - A good thing when put into action.
13 - Look forward to Christ' s coming.
15 - An evangelist did have
authority. Don't let others override
the office.
CHAPTER 3.
V. 1 -
Teach them the government of God to be subject to all authorities.
2 - We are not to be in an argumentative
attitude.
3 - Human nature through and through.
5 - We didn't earn it. Washing -- John
3:5.
6 - Acts 10:45. Spirit poured
out proves it is not a personality.
7 - Eternal life is a hope -- not
something we already have.
8 - Be concerned to maintain good works.
9 - Nonsensical points, genealogies,
things that have no real purpose in edifying.
This, of course, doesn't
mean discussing it.
10 - If they continue in this
argumentative mood -- reject them.
11 - Note "there". He was not in Nicopolis.
13 - Apparently Titus was over Apollos in authority.
14 - Keep busy in good works ! Produce
fruit. Necessary uses -- supplying the
needs
of those who lacked in the church.
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