T he only good news that we ought to know and remember is that Jesus Christ had already won the war against sin and death. He has made it possible for us to join Him in the afterlife. All we need now to do is accept Him as He is. God is alive today and it may be sometimes be difficult to see this. The world and its demonic nature has still made it look like that only worldly things matter and that the ultimate goal of each one is to achieve their own personal happiness. This is the biggest lie of all, that we should do all to make us happy. Individual happiness at the expense of someone else is the biggest deception of all. The truth is, our lives are never really about us. It is ultimately about God and about others. It is about how you can provide and give joy even at our own expense. This is the model of ultimate and genuine love that Jesus shown us at the cross. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s frie...
The Book of Titus is a concise yet powerful pastoral epistle written by the Apostle Paul to his loyal companion and fellow worker, Titus. It offers guidance on church leadership, sound doctrine, and Christian living within the early church in Crete.
Key Themes and Summary:
The letter can be broadly divided into three main sections:
Qualifications for Elders (Titus 1:5-9): Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town in Crete. He provides a detailed list of qualifications for these leaders, emphasizing character traits such as blamelessness, self-control, hospitality, and a firm grasp of sound doctrine. The need for these qualities is highlighted by the presence of "rebellious people, especially those of the circumcision group," who were spreading false teachings (Titus 1:10-11).
Notable Quote: "An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not v
iolent, not pursuing dishon est gain." (Titus 1:6-7)
Sound Doctrine and Christian Living (Titus 2:1-15): Paul outlines how various groups within the church—older men, older women, younger women, young men, and slaves—should conduct themselves. The overarching theme is that sound doctrine should lead to sound living. He encourages Titus to teach what is "consistent with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1) and emphasizes the importance of demonstrating good deeds and integrity. The motive for such living is rooted in the grace of God and the hope of Christ's return.
Notable Verse: "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14)
Conduct Towards Outsiders and Final Exhortations (Titus 3:1-11): Paul extends his counsel to how believers should interact with civil authorities and non-believers. He urges respect for rulers, obedience to laws, and a gentle, peaceable demeanor towards all people, remembering that believers themselves were once foolish and disobedient. He reiterates the basis of salvation as God's mercy, not human works. The letter concludes with personal instructions, a warning against divisive people, and a final greeting.
Notable Quote: "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone." (Titus 3:1-2)
Notable Verse: "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
Historical Facts about the Book:
Authorship and Dating: The Apostle Paul is universally recognized as the author of the Book of Titus. It is believed to have been written around 63-65 AD, likely between Paul's first and second Roman imprisonments. It is one of the "Pastoral Epistles," along with 1 and 2 Timothy, which address issues of church order and pastoral ministry.
Recipient and Context: Titus was a Gentile convert and a trusted companion of Paul, often serving as his emissary to various churches. Paul had left Titus in Crete to organize the churches there and appoint elders. Crete was known at the time for its challenging moral environment, as highlighted by Paul's quote from a Cretan prophet: "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons" (Titus 1:12). This context underscores the urgent need for sound leadership and godly living among the believers.
Purpose: The primary purpose of the letter was to instruct Titus on how to establish and maintain order within the nascent churches on the island of Crete. This included appointing qualified leaders, combating false teaching, and guiding believers in practical Christian living that would commend the gospel to the wider community.
Significance: Titus remains a vital guide for church leadership and Christian ethics today. It emphasizes the inseparable link between sound doctrine and ethical conduct, highlighting that genuine faith transforms lives and influences all areas of society.