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By: Rich Puckett
As with most of my studies, my comments are in red. The blue is from Matthew Henrys and Believers Study Bible commentary.
Titus: This epistle chiefly contains directions to Titus concerning the elders of the Church, and the manner in which he should give instruction; and the latter part tells him to urge obedience to magistrates, to enforce good works, avoid foolish questions, and shun heresies. The instructions the apostle gave are all plain and simple. The Christian religion was not formed to answer worldly or selfish views, but it is the wisdom of God and the power of God.
Titus 1: (v. 1-4) The apostle salutes Titus.
(v. 5-9) The qualifications of a faithful pastor.
(v. 10-16) The evil temper and practices of false teachers.
The apostle salutes Titus
(Titus 1:1 KJV) Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
Titus 1:1: Verses 1-4. All are the servants of God who are not slaves of sin and Satan. All gospel truth is according to godliness, teaching the fear of God. The intent of the gospel is to raise up hope as well as faith; to take off the mind and heart from the world, and to raise them to heaven and the things above. How excellent then is the gospel, which was the matter of Divine promise so early, and what thanks are due for our privileges! Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God; and whoso is appointed and called, must preach the word. Grace is the free favour of God, and acceptance with him. Mercy, the fruits of the favour, in the pardon of sin, and freedom from all miseries both here and hereafter. And peace is the effect and fruit of mercy. Peace with God through Christ who is our Peace, and with the creatures and ourselves. Grace is the fountain of all blessings. Mercy, and peace, and all good, spring out of this.
(Titus 1:2 KJV) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1 Cor 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Mark 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mark 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Mark 10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luke 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
Luke 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
Luke 18:21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Tim 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(Titus 1:3 KJV) But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Jonah 3:2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Mat 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
Acts 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 Cor 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2 Tim 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(Titus 1:4 KJV) To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
The qualifications of a faithful pastor
(Titus 1:5 KJV) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
One of the main tasks of pastors is to set in order the teaching and body of the church. This must be done with love and it must be done in the way Christ loved the church. But what are the things that need to be set in order? The members of the church body have first of all to learn the word of God. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Next there is conduct issues in and out side the churches teaching us to live as Christ. When people see a Christian they should be seeing Christ though us. There are also the physical needs of the church building and its members. Pastors are farmers we sow seed, we water, and we pray that a harvest be reaped. They are shepherds, they care for and nurse the sick sheep, they lead the sheep to water and food, and they bind the wounds. They are the candle lighters so must be a fire themselves, they are LEADERS not followers of anyone but God. Ordination is important because it shows the unity of other men of like calling agreeing with the life and goals of the preacher. Pastors are many things to many people, yet he is always the servant of Christ first. This calling is one of the loneliest of all callings, Pastors are always at the end of someone not liking what they do or say. Pay is poor for most, and yes payment is taught in the bible. Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. If you are called into this work be aware your life is not your own but you must always seek to serve others.
orˇdain
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eldˇer1
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Titus 1:5: Verses 5-9. The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is great reason that they should be blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of good works.
(Titus 1:6 KJV) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
When one is called into being a pastor even the family is subject to the effects of the work to be done. The man must be blameless in other words he must live a life that others may not always agree with him but they can not find violation of the word of God in his life. His fruit will be the good fruit. He must have only one wife, keep in mind at this time in the bible there were still many who had more then one wife. This was important for a pastor because a wife is a pull against his work for God many many times. She wants her husband at home, helping with the chores and tending to the needs of her family. Yet a pastor family extends to the church and each member holds the rank of his children, his sheep and are of great value to him and God. If a man has two wives his home pull would be twice as much and thus would tend more to separate him from doing Gods will. The children can cause a pastor much pain and lose the respect that is required to be able to be an effective leader. Yet to the church members I ask you to remember that a pastor is just a human and so are his family, they make mistakes. A person cannot force his wife or children to do what is right, he can only lead and pray for them. Before you cast away a good man of God, you should look toward your self and pray for him and his family.
(Titus 1:7 KJV) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
The pastor must be a good steward or care provider of those things God has placed in his charge. He must have zeal for others and put others before himself, a giver at heart. Pastors like all humans have tempers but a hotheaded pastor will destroy all the work in the field before a crop is ever harvested. And when he does reach a place of anger it should be for the right reasons and not over silly pride. He should not be a drinker of fermented wine. He should not be one whose reaction to things that upset him is to strike them. And money should never be his motivator in doing Gods will or work. If you are calling a pastor to your church and the first things he wants to know is how much will I be paid, the first big warning bell should be ringing. You should quickly be able to see if the sheep are more important then the shepherd by his actions and comments. If you want a pocket book preacher your wrong, and if he wants a full pocket book to do Gods work he is wrong.
(Titus 1:8 KJV) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
How can a man be a good pastor if he don't like being with his sheep?
(Titus 1:9 KJV) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
This is in it self-the biggest problem I see in the church world today. Men who do not know the word of God. Men who know what the Baptists teach or some other faith but do not really know the bible or why they believe what they do. He must be sound or have strong bible knowledge, I do not mean he has to be able to give you verse by verse off his head, but he must have the knowledge to answer questions and to teach the word rightly. I once knew a pastor that almost every week his message would be based on what ever he heard the TV preacher peach on the week before. I can assure you that your sheep could care less about the other flocks in the pasture they only care that they are fed and took care of. They will not long be impressed with your reading ability and how you can recite Dr. So and So. What they will be impressed by is how you can recite the Word and if you live it.
The evil temper and practices of false teachers
(Titus 1:10 KJV) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Many a church has been raised to arms over matters that had nothing to do with the mission of winning souls. Many a fight has been started by men who condemned rather then build up. Those who fed them what they wanted to hear instead of what was needed to make them holy have deceived many. If you have a pastor and all you hear is gumbling and a negative mood in almost every thing he says and does, I feel sorry for you, for you will be a poor garden indeed and will not produce much sweet fruit. There needs to be a uprising by the sheep, they should call for and expect and receive a caretaker and one that is holy and sound. They should demand to be taught the Bible and nothing less, they should see the good fruit and yet this must be measured with the realization that pastor are human. The thing is integrity does not mean you never mess up but if you do you stand and say I messed up. And show men every where that you can lead them to the altar by being the first to be there.
Titus 1:10: Verses 10-16. False teachers are described. Faithful ministers must oppose such in good time, that their folly being made manifest, they may go no further They had a base end in what they did; serving a worldly interest under pretence of religion: for the love of money is the root of all evil. Such should be resisted, and put to shame, by sound doctrine from the Scriptures. Shameful actions, the reproach of heathens, should be far from Christians; falsehood and lying, envious craft and cruelty, brutal and sensual practices, and idleness and sloth, are sins condemned even by the light of nature. But Christian meekness is as far from cowardly passing over sin and error, as from anger and impatience. And though there may be national differences of character, yet the heart of man in every age and place is deceitful and desperately wicked. But the sharpest reproofs must aim at the good of the reproved; and soundness in the faith is most desirable and necessary. To those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; they abuse, and turn things lawful and good into sin. Many profess to know God, yet in their lives deny and reject him. See the miserable state of hypocrites, such as have a form of godliness, but are without the power; yet let us not be so ready to fix this charge on others, as careful that it does not apply to ourselves.
(Titus 1:11 KJV) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
(Titus 1:12 KJV) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
(Titus 1:13 KJV) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
(Titus 1:14 KJV) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
I want a pastor that teaches the Bible as led by the Spirit not what is in some book, or sermon manual. I want a pastor who does not look to the sheep to tell him what his subjects can or can not be but instead looks to God. I would rather have five people come to church and learn and grow and produce good fruit for my labor then a thousand that produce weeds and thorns. So my rule has been and will be I preach the word as God gives me knowledge and if the folks don't like that then I'm sorry for them for they miss out on the good bread that would fill them up. I do not preach politics, or on money or how to get more money in to the church. I would if God gave it to me through.
(Titus 1:15 KJV) Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
1 Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
(Titus 1:16 KJV) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Cor 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
2 Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Phil 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Phil 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Phil 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Phil 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Phil 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Phil 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
1 Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
We must have and keep a holy heart, right with God, this is what a pastor, preacher, teacher and member is required of. Perfect is to have a clean and right heart with God.