About the Book of Titus
The Book of Titus is a letter found in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is attributed to the Apostle Paul and is addressed to Titus, a young Christian leader and companion of Paul. The letter serves as a guide for Titus in organizing and leading the church in Crete, providing instructions for appointing leaders, promoting sound doctrine, and encouraging believers to live out their faith in practical ways.
The letter begins with Paul identifying himself as the author and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He addresses Titus as his true child in a common faith and extends greetings and blessings to him.
Paul then instructs Titus regarding the appointment of qualified elders in each town of Crete. He outlines the character traits and qualities necessary for leadership in the church, emphasizing their importance in maintaining order and guiding the believers. Paul highlights the necessity of leaders who are above reproach, faithful to their spouses, self-controlled, hospitable, and able to teach sound doctrine.
The letter continues with Paul's emphasis on the importance of sound doctrine and teaching. He instructs Titus to teach and promote the truths of the Gospel, urging him to refute false teachings and those who stir up division. Paul emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace and the need for believers to live in a manner that reflects their faith. He encourages Titus to be a model of good works and to exhort the believers to live godly lives in every aspect of their society.
Paul also addresses various groups within the church, providing instructions for older men, older women, young women, and young men. He emphasizes the importance of self-control, integrity, and wholesome behavior. Paul encourages the older generation to mentor and teach the younger, and he stresses the importance of maintaining good works and being a positive witness to outsiders.
The letter concludes with Paul's final instructions to Titus, urging him to be diligent and zealous in his work, and to ensure that believers are not only sound in doctrine but also engaged in good works. He sends greetings from fellow believers and extends his grace and peace to them.
The Book of Titus serves as a practical guide for church leadership and the establishment of healthy Christian communities. It emphasizes the importance of godly character, sound doctrine, and living out the faith in practical ways. The letter provides valuable instructions for maintaining order, promoting unity, and fostering a witness to the world through good works. Ultimately, the book encourages believers to pursue godliness, grow in their faith, and impact their communities for the glory of God.
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Greetings from Paul
[1:1] 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 cannot 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 Saviour;
[4] to Titus, my own true son according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
The Overseer Must be Blameless, as God’s Steward
[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 behaviour.
[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.
Be Sound in the Faith
[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 deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
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Instructions for Godly Living
[2:1] But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
[2] that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance:
[3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
[4] that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,
[5] to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.
[6] Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded;
[7] in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your doctrine showing integrity, gravity, sincerity,
[8] and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.
[9] Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;
[10] not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Saviour, in all things.
Let No One Despise You.
[11] For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men,
[12] instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;
[13] looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
[14] who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
[15] Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
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Heirs According to the Hope of Eternal Life
[3:1] Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
[2] to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
[3] For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
[4] But when the kindness of God our Saviour and his love toward mankind appeared,
[5] not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
[6] whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
[7] that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
[8] This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
Avoid a Foolish Disputes and Divisive Men
[9] but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
[10] Reject a man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition,
[11] knowing that such a one is perverted and sins, being self- condemned.
Paul's Concerns and Greetings
[12] When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
[13] Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.
[14] Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
[15] All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
