For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11) This brief statement of the apostle Paul in his letter to Titus introduces a new thought, but even this starting line has a wonderful truth for us to consider. Paul begins speaking of the grace of God. We remember the greatness…
Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. (Titus 2:9-10) Titus was to teach bondservants about their specific duties as Christians. Because slaves were welcome to…
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. (Titus 2:7-8) Paul told Titus how to speak to the different groups of people in the…
Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded. (Titus 2:6) As Paul told Titus how to guide and encourage different groups of people in the church, he eventually came to the young men. In speaking of what Titus should say to the young men, he started with the word “likewise.” Likewise is a linking word. It shows that…
That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. (Titus 2:4-5) According to Paul’s instruction, Titus was not to make it his work to teach the young women directly. Instead, he was…
The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they admonish the young women (Titus 2:3-4). In this section of Paul’s letter to Titus, the apostle told his younger associate how to deal with particular groups of Christians in the churches on the…
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. (Titus 2:1-2) The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time in Titus chapter 1 telling his younger associate how to deal with problem people. But Titus didn’t only…
They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:16) Paul wrote to Titus about the kind of people causing trouble among the Christians on the island of Crete. He described them in several ways. First, Paul said “They profess to know God.” If…
To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. (Titus 1:15) In his work as a pastor and leader on the island of Crete, Titus had to deal with a lot of difficult people. Some of those people were…
One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. (Titus 1:12-13) More than 50 years ago, the musicians Simon and Garfunkel wrote in a song that “the words of the prophets are…
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers… (Titus 1:10) In the previous section of Titus, Paul told his associate the kind of men he should look for as he appointed leaders for churches spread out all over Crete (Titus 1:5-8). Then he told Titus what those leaders should do – “hold fast the…
“Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught” (Titus 1:9) The Apostle Paul gave an extensive list of the character qualities that Titus was to look for in the men who should lead the churches on the island of Crete. That list (found in Titus 1:5-8) is helpful not only for selecting leaders,…