Sunday Evening Bible Study

December 17, 2000

Introduction

Paul is writing to another young pastor, Titus, who has been one of Paul’s disciples.  Paul is towards the end of his life, writing this letter around the same time as 1Timothy.

While Timothy was in Ephesus, Titus was in Crete.  As we’ll see tonight, the people on the island of Crete weren’t the greatest group of people.  Paul writes,

(Titus 1:12 NASB)  One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

As you’ll see, Paul will be addressing the issue of people like this throughout his entire letter to Titus.

Titus 1

:1  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;

servant – doulos – a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

acknowledging – epignosis – precise and correct knowledge; used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine

godliness – eusebeia – reverence, respect; piety towards God, godliness

(Titus 1:1 NLT)  …I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.

:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

that cannot lie – apseudes – without lie, truthful

world – aionios – without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be; without beginning; without end, never to cease, everlasting

began – chronos – time either long or short

Literally, “before the time of eternity”

God has promised “eternal life” since before the beginning of time.

:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

manifested – phaneroo – to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way

times – kairos – due measure; a measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time

due – idios – pertaining to one’s self, one’s own, belonging to one’s self

preaching – kerugma – that which is proclaimed by a herald or public crier, a proclamation by herald; in the NT the message or proclamation of the heralds of God or Christ

committed – pisteuo – to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity; to be entrusted with a thing

commandment – epitage – an injunction, mandate, command

:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Titus – Titos – “nurse”; a Gentile Christian an Paul’s companion in some of his journeys

own – gnesios – legitimately born, not spurious; true, genuine, sincere

son – teknon – offspring, children; child

common – koinos – common; common i.e. ordinary, belonging to generality; by the Jews, unhallowed, profane, Levitically unclean

Lesson

It’s okay to have more than one kid.

I often think of Timothy as being Paul’s “son” in the faith.  But in reality, Paul had many such “sons”.  Timothy may have had a special place in Paul’s heart, but the truth is, Paul poured his life into many different men.

:5 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:

cause – charin – in favour of, for the pleasure of; for, for the sake of; on this account, for this cause

left – kataleipo – to leave behind

wanting – leipo – to leave, leave behind, forsake, to be left behind; to lag, be inferior; to be destitute of, to lack; to be wanting, to fail

set in order – epidiorthoo (“upon” + “straight”) – to set in order besides or further.  This is a medical word used to describe the setting of a broken bone.  Titus had Paul’s commission to straighten things out in Crete.

ordain – kathistemi – to set, place, put; to set one over a thing (in charge of it); to appoint one to administer an office

elders – presbuteros – elder, of age,; among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably

appointed – diatasso – to arrange, appoint, ordain, prescribe, give order

Lesson

The appointing of church leadership

I think there is value in “appointing” people to leadership positions within the church rather than just asking for volunteers or looking for a popular vote.

With some churches, positions like “elder” are nominated by the people and voted on by the people.  That can be fine many times, but sometimes the “popular” person isn’t the one who is close to Jesus.

I think it’s a mistake sometimes to ask for “volunteers” for important leadership positions.  If I were to resign as pastor and decided to ask, “who’d like to be pastor now?”, I’d probably get some interesting responses.  There are some folks who think higher of themselves than they ought and they’d probably be at the head of the line.  There are others who don’t think too highly of themselves, but who may be more better qualified.

In our church, our elders are “nominated” by the pastor.  We also run through a process where the elders pray and then vote to confirm the nomination, and then the church votes to confirm the nomination.  But the original “nomination” is more of an “appointment” by the pastor with the others serving as a check to make sure I haven’t made a mistake.

You will find that we generally don’t ask for volunteers when it comes to heading up a ministry.  We’ll ask for volunteers to serve in a ministry, but we find it better to “appoint” those who will be in charge after seeing how faithful they serve.

As Paul did with Timothy, he will now give what he considers to be the kinds of qualities that an elder ought to have.

In reality, no one fits all of these perfectly.  We all will fall short somewhere.

These qualities apply especially to pastors and elders, but in a sense they are a kind of goal for all of us, kind of a roadmap to maturity.

:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

blameless – anegkletos – that cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccused, blameless

husband of one wife – literally, “a one wife man”

children – teknon – offspring, children

faithful – pistos – trusty, faithful; believing, confiding, trusting; in the NT one who trusts in God’s promises.  This might be talking about children who are “faithful”, who are dependable and can be counted on.  It could be talking about having children who are believers, who believe in Jesus.

accused – kategoria – accusation, charge

riot – asotia – an abandoned, dissolute life; profligacy, prodigality; reckless and extravagant expenditure, chiefly for the gratification of one’s sensual desires. It denotes a dissolute, profligate course of life.

unruly – anupotaktos – not made subject, unsubjected; that cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, unruly, refractory

:7 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;

must be – dei – it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper

It’s not just important that a bishop be blameless, it’s NECESSARY because of whom he represents.

bishop – episkopos – an overseer; a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent; the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church

blameless – anegkletos – that cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccused, blameless; designates one against whom there is no accusation, implying not acquittal of a charge, but that no charge has been made.

steward – oikonomos – the manager of household or of household affairs; esp. a steward, manager, superintendent (whether free-born or as was usually the case, a freed-man or a slave) to whom the head of the house or proprietor has intrusted the management of his affairs, the care of receipts and expenditures, and the duty of dealing out the proper portion to every servant and even to the children not yet of age

selfwilled – authades (“self” + “pleasure”) – self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant

soon angry – orgilos – prone to anger, irascible

Someone has said, “Temper is such a wonderful thing that it’s a shame to lose it.”

given to wine – paroinos (“alongside” + “wine”) – given to wine, drunken

striker – plektes – bruiser, ready for a blow; a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person

given to filthy lucre – aischrokerdes (“filthy” + “gain”) – eager for base gain, greedy for money

:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

lover of hospitality – philoxenos (“love” + “stranger”) – hospitable, generous to guests

lover of good men – philagathos (“love” + “good”) – loving goodness.  Someone who loves good things, has an appreciation for good things.

sober – sophron (“safe” + “mind”) – of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.  The emphasis isn’t on a lack of wine, it’s more on the state of mind.

Pay attention – you’re going to see this word, or forms of it, MANY times in this letter.

1:8 – “sober”

2:2 – “temperate”

2:4 – “teach to be sober”

2:5 – “discreet”

2:6 – “soberminded”

2:12 – “soberly”

I kind of get the feeling that this letter to Titus could be called, “Letter For a Sound Mind”.  Apparently this was quite needed in Crete.

A good picture of this is to see how it’s used in the life of the man, Legion, after Jesus cast out all the demons.

(Luke 8:26-35 KJV)  And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. {27} And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. {28} When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. {29} (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) {30} And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. {31} And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. {32} And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. {33} Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. {34} When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. {35} Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

The man was sane.  He had control again over himself.

just – dikaios – righteous, observing divine laws

holy – hosios – undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious; used of persons or things, describes that which is in harmony with the divine constitution of the moral universe. Hence, it is that which is in accordance with the general and instinctively felt idea of right, "what is consecrated and sanctioned by universal law and consent" (Passow), rather than what is in accordance with any system of revealed truth. As contrary to osiov, i.e., as anosia, the Greeks regarded, e.g., a marriage between brother and sister such as was common in Egypt,

temperate – egkrates (“in” + “strength”) – strong, robust; having power over, possessed of (a thing); mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining; controlling one’s self, temperate, continent

:9 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.

holding fast – antechomai – to hold before or against, hold back, withstand, endure; to keep one’s self directly opposite to any one, hold to him firmly, cleave to, paying heed to him

faithful word – pistou logou – this is the same phrase translate “faithful saying” that Paul has used several times with Timothy and Titus.  These seem to be the nuggets that Paul is trying to get his young pastors to keep remembering and putting before their people.

An elder is one who will pay attention to these “faithful sayings” and hold on to them, putting them into practice.

We’ll get to one of Titus’ “faithful sayings” in 3:8.

may be able – dunatos – able, powerful, mighty, strong; to be able (to do something); mighty, excelling in something; having power for something

to exhort – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction

sound – hugiaino – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health; metaph.  of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error; of one who keeps the graces and is strong

gainsayers – antilego – to speak against, gainsay, contradict; to oppose one’s self to one, decline to obey him, declare one’s self against him, refuse to have anything to do with him

to convince – elegcho – to convict, refute, confute; generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted; to find fault with, correct

One of the ministries of an elder is to be able to refute those who oppose the truth.

:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

unruly – anupotaktos – not made subject, unsubjected; that cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, unruly, refractory

Wiersbe:  “Beware of teachers who will not put themselves under authority.”

vain talkers – mataiologos (“empty” + “word”) – an idle talker, one who utters empty senseless things

deceivers – phrenapates (“mind” + “deceiver”) – a mind deceiver, a seducer

circumcision – Paul may simply be referring to Jews, or he could be meaning Jewish believers who taught that a Gentile Christian had to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses in order to be saved.

:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

must – dei – it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper

mouths … be stopped – epistomizo – to bridle or stop up the mouth; metaph. to stop the mouth, reduce to silence

subvert – anatrepo – to overthrow, overturn, destroy; to subvert

Bad teachers can disrupt entire families.

filthy – aischros – filthy, baseness, dishonour

lucre – kerdos – gain, advantage

sake – charin – in favour of, for the pleasure of; for, for the sake of; on this account, for this cause

:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

a prophet of their own – Epimenides.  This man was a poet born in Crete at Cnossos.  There was a wild story about him that he was sent out by his father to watch the sheep in a field, but he stopped at a cave a noon and took a nap that lasted 57 years.  He was called a “fortune teller” and was skilled in “divination”.  What Paul is about to quote was also quoted by Callimachus in a hymn to Zeus. 

Paul is actually quoting “secular” literature, as though he was familiar with it.  He’s doing this to show that even the Cretians themselves thought they had problems.

always – aei – perpetually, incessantly; invariably, at any and every time: when according to the circumstances something is or ought to be done again

liars – pseustes – a liar; one who breaks faith; a false and faithless man

Lying was one of the things that those on Crete were known for, it was their “national sin”, just as the Corinthians were known for their immorality.  Ovid called Crete “Lying Crete” and the Greeks said that to “cretize” was to lie.

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; not such as it ought to be; base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

beasts – therion – an animal; a wild animal, wild beast, beast; metaph. a brutal, bestial man, savage, ferocious. 

The idea is that the Cretans were like animals that preyed on other animals.

bellies – gaster – the belly; the womb; the stomach; a glutton, gormandiser, a man who is as it were all stomach

slow – argos – free from labour, at leisure; lazy, shunning the labour which one ought to perform

NAS, NIV – “lazy gluttons”

:13 This witness is true.

Paul is saying that Cretans are really like this.

This is why an elder needs to be able to “by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (1:9).

This is why Paul tells Titus to “rebuke them sharply”.

This is why Paul emphasizes over and over for a Christian to have a “sound mind” and he will make a strong point that if a person is truly a believer, then their life will be filled with good works.

:13  Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

rebuke – elegcho – to convict, refute, confute; generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted; by conviction to bring to the light, to expose; to find fault with, correct

This is the same word translated “convince” in 1:9.

sharply – apotomos (“from” + “cut”) – abruptly, precipitously; sharply, severely, curtly

sound – hugiaino – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health; metaph.  of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error; of one who keeps the graces and is strong

Lesson

Some people need a sharp rebuke to become healthy

Some people respond with just a gentle hint that something is wrong.  But some people don’t respond until you hit them with a two-by-four over the head. 

:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

giving heed – prosecho – to bring to, bring near; to bring a ship to land, and simply to touch at, put in; to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive; to apply one’s self to, attach one’s self to, hold or cleave to a person or a thing; to be given or addicted to

fables – muthos – a speech, word, saying; a narrative, story; a true narrative; a fiction, a fable; an invention, a falsehood

commandments – entole – an order, command, charge, precept, injunction

that turn from – apostrepho – to turn away; to remove anything from anyone; to turn him away from allegiance to any one; tempt to defect

Lesson

God’s way or man’s way

We need to pay attention to God’s commandments.  But sometimes there are people who like to add to God’s commandments, and that’s when we get into trouble.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for doing this:

(Mark 7:7-9 KJV)  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. {8} For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. {9} And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

The basic idea behind a Pharisee is actually a good one.  They wanted to be pleasing to God and they wanted to always be sure that they did what God wanted.  But what they did was to develop a whole group of “traditions” that helped explain just what was pleasing to God.

:15 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.

pure … pure – katharos – clean, pure; free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt; blameless, innocent

defiled – miaino – to dye with another colour, to stain; to defile, pollute, sully, contaminate, soil; to defile with sins

unbelieving – apistos – unfaithful, faithless, (not to be trusted, perfidious)

mind – nous – the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining

conscience – suneidesis – the consciousness of anything; the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other; the conscience

Lesson

Clean mind

If a person immerses himself in the world enough, he is “stained”.  He begins to look at things the way the world wants him to.

A person who is caught with pornography will find his mind “stained”.  They will be getting all the little innuendos of the world’s jokes.  They will be making or thinking the innuendos themselves.  They will look at people of the opposite sex in an impure way.

A person who is caught up in the world’s lust for wealth will also be stained.  They will question other people’s motives.  They will always be wondering, “What’s in it for them?”

God’s desire is that our minds be clean.  God’s desire is that we be “ignorant” of all the little innuendos.  They ought to go right over our head.

:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

profess – homologeo – to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent; to concede; to profess; to declare openly, speak out freely; to profess one’s self the worshipper of one

know – eido – to see; to perceive with the eyes; to know; to know of anything; to know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive

works – ergon – business, employment, that which any one is occupied; any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind; an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work

deny – arneomai – to deny; not to accept, to reject, to refuse something offered

abominable – bdeluktos – abominable, detestable; from bdelusso – to render foul, to cause to be abhorred; to turn one’s self away from on account of the stench

disobedient – apeithes – impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious

reprobate – adokimos – not standing the test, not approved; properly used of metals and coins; that which does not prove itself such as it ought; unfit for, unproved, spurious, reprobate

All the “works” fail the test.

Lesson

Good works / bad works

How could a “good work” fail a test?

Our works will be judged, tested by God.

(1 Cor 3:11-15 NLT)  For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. {12} Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. {13} But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. {14} If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. {15} But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.

One of the things our works will be judged on is motive.

One “bad motive” is that of wanting attention.

(Mat 6:1-4 NLT)  "Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. {2} When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. {3} But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. {4} Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

If someone catches you doing a good thing and says “thank you”, it doesn’t mean you lose your reward, unless you did it openly for the very purpose of someone seeing you do it.  It’s all about motive.

If our motivation isn’t God’s pure love, we’re wasting our time.

(1 Cor 13:1-3 NASB)  If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. {2} And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. {3} And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Lesson

Does your walk match your talk?

Jesus said,

(Mat 10:32-33 KJV)  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. {33} But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

We usually think of this in terms of what a person says about Jesus with their words, but Paul is saying that you can “deny” Jesus by your deeds.

Illustration

Karl Rahner said, “The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny him with their lifestyles are what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.”

-- Servant, January, 1995 p. 10.

Titus 2

:1  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

which become – prepo – to stand out, to be conspicuous, to be eminent; to be becoming, seemly, fit

sound – hugiaino – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health; metaph.  of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error; of one who keeps the graces and is strong

The things that follow, the entire second chapter, are the things that Paul considers “sound doctrine”.  He will address different groups of people.

Lesson

Healthy doctrine affects your life.

The thing you’ll see is that Paul’s idea of “sound doctrine” isn’t just about hard to understand theological ideas.  It’s about life.  It’s about how to live.

Good teaching affects your life.  It changes how you behave. 

Your beliefs should affect your behavior.

:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

aged men – presbutes – an old man, an aged man

These are to be the qualities found in old men.

sober – nephaleos – sober, temperate; abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use; of things free from all wine, as vessels, offerings

grave – semnos – august, venerable, reverend; to be venerated for character, honourable.  That which inspires reverence or awe.

temperate – sophron (“safe” + “mind”) – of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate

sound – hugiaino – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health; metaph.  of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error; of one who keeps the graces and is strong

charity – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

patience – hupomone – steadfastness, constancy, endurance; in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings; a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

aged women – presbutis – an aged woman

behaviour – katastema – demeanour, deportment, bearing

as becometh holiness – hieroprepes (“holy” + “standing”) – befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God; reverent

false accusers – diabolos – prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely; devil

given to – douloo – to make a slave of, reduce to bondage; metaph. give myself wholly to one’s needs and service, make myself a bondman to him

teachers of good things – kalodidaskalos – teaching that which is good, a teacher of goodness

Lesson

The place of Women’s Ministry

Paul told Timothy,

(1 Tim 2:12 NASB)  But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

Some would take this to mean that there is no place for a woman to teach anyone.  But that’s not the case.  Paul is talking in reference to a woman being in a leading/teaching relationship over a man.

But there are still PLENTY of things for a woman to be involved with teaching, especially with other women.

:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

teach … to be sober – sophronizo – restore one to his senses; to moderate, control, curb, disciple; to hold one to his duty; to admonish, to exhort earnestly

young women – neos – recently born, young, youthful; new

to love their husbands – philandros (“love” + “husband”) – loving her husband

to love their children – philoteknos (“love” + “child”) – loving one’s offspring or children

:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

discreet – sophron (“safe” + “mind”) – of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate

This word is only found four times in the New Testament, and THREE of them are right here in Titus (the other is in 1Tim. 3:2).

chaste – hagnos – exciting reverence, venerable, sacred; pure; pure from carnality, chaste, modest; pure from every fault, immaculate; clean

keepers at home – oikouros (“house” + “guard”) – caring for the house, working at home; the (watch or) keeper of the house; keeping at home and taking care of household affairs; a domestic

good – agathos – of good constitution or nature; useful, salutary; good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable

obedient – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; obey, be subject. 

This is that horrible word, “submit”.

blasphemed – blasphemeo – to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme; to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at

Lesson

Actions at home glorify God

Does your home life glorify God, or does it cause people to slander God?

:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

young men – neos – recently born, young, youthful; new.  Here it’s the comparative, “younger men”.

exhort – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

to be sober minded – sophroneo (“safe” + “mind) – (this is the verb form) to be of sound mind; to be in one’s right mind; to exercise self control; to put a moderate estimate upon one’s self, think of one’s self soberly; to curb one’s passions.

:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

showing – parecho – to reach forth, offer; to show, afford, supply; to offer, show or present one’s self; to exhibit or offer on one’s own part

a pattern – tupos (“type”) – the mark of a stroke or blow, print; a figure formed by a blow or impression; form; an example; in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction

uncorruptness – adiaphthoria – incorruptibility, soundness, integrity; of mind

gravity – semnotes – the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity; honour, purity

sincerity – aphtharsia – incorruption, perpetuity; purity, sincerity, incorrupt

:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

speech – logos – word

sound – hugies – sound; of a man who is sound in body; to make one whole i.e. restore him to health; metaph. teaching which does not deviate from the truth

that cannot be condemned – akatagnostos – that cannot be condemned, not to be censored

contrary – enantios – over against, opposite; metaph.  opposed as an adversary, hostile, antagonistic in feeling or act; an opponent

may be ashamed – entrepo – to shame one; to be ashamed

evil – phaulos – easy, slight, ordinary, mean, worthless, of no account; ethically, bad, base, wicked

Lesson

Be the example

Be the one to leave an impression on others (2:7), pressing into them and leaving your example.

When you want to instruct others, be sure to ask yourself, “Have I been setting the right example?”  When you want to change the behavior of your kids, where have they learned the behavior in the first place?  Sometimes it’s from us.

:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

servants – doulos – a slave, bondman, man of servile condition.

Paul would be talking about real life slaves here.  In Paul’s day, close to half the population of the world were slaves.

We might apply these things in our place of employment.

masters – despotes – a master, Lord

be obedient – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject

all things – pas – all; each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

This might refer to being obedient “in all things” or to be well pleasing “in all things”.

to please … well – euarestos – well pleasing, acceptable

answering again – antilego – to speak against, gainsay, contradict; to oppose one’s self to one, decline to obey him, declare one’s self against him, refuse to have anything to do with him.  Not talking back to your employer.

:10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

purloining – nosphizomai – to set apart, separate, divide; to set apart or separate for one’s self; to purloin, embezzle, withdraw covertly and appropriate to one’s own use

fidelity – pistis – conviction of the truth of anything, belief;; fidelity, faithfulness; the character of one who can be relied on

showing – endeiknumi – to point out; to show, demonstrate, prove, whether by arguments or by acts; to manifest, display, put forth

may adorn – kosmeo (“cosmetics”) – to put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare; to ornament, adore; metaph. to embellish with honour, gain honour

Lesson

Beautify Christianity.

A woman puts on cosmetics to make her face prettier (I know I’m in dangerous territory here).  The idea is that when act in a faithful way towards our employer, it’s like putting makeup on the teaching about our God.  Not that it needs makeup, but it simply adds beauty.

:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

hath appeared – epiphaino – to show to or upon; to bring to light; to appear, become visible; to become clearly known, to show one’s self

grace – charis – grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour

that bringeth salvation – soterion – saving, bringing salvation; he who embodies this salvation, or through whom God is about to achieve it; the hope of (future) salvation

:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

teaching – paideuo – to train children; to be instructed or taught or learn; to chastise

denying – arneomai – to deny; not to accept, to reject, to refuse something offered

ungodliness – asebeia – want of reverence towards God, impiety, ungodliness

worldly – kosmikos – of or belonging to the world; relating to the universe; earthly; worldly, i.e. having the character of this present corrupt age

lusts – epithumia – desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust

soberly – sophronos – with sound mind, soberly, temperately, discreetly

righteously – dikaios – just, agreeably to right; properly, as is right; uprightly, agreeable to the law of rectitude

godly – eusebos – piously, godly

present – nun – at this time, the present, now

world – aion – for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity; the worlds, universe; period of time, age

Lesson

Grace changes us

When we’ve really tasted of God’s grace, realizing that we are undeserving sinners but God has saved us anyway, then our lives ought to be radically changed in two ways.

1)  We will pull away from sin

“denying ungodliness and worldly lusts”

2)  We will do the right things

“live soberly, righteously, and godly”

That’s really a summary of what this whole chapter is about.

:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

looking for – prosdechomai – to receive to one’s self, to admit, to give access to one’s self; to expect: the fulfilment of promises

appearing – epiphaneia – an appearing, appearance

Lesson

Jesus is God

In the Greek, there is only one single article (“the”) that links “great God and our Savior Jesus Christ”.  This means that this is one and the same person.  Paul is saying that Jesus is our Savior.  Paul is saying that Jesus is “the great God”.

A more accurate translation (as NAS & NIV) would be, “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”.

:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

redeem – lutroo – to release on receipt of ransom; to redeem, liberate by payment of ransom

iniquity – anomia – the condition of without law; contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

purify – katharizo – to make clean, cleanse

peculiar – periousios – that which is one’s own, belonging to one’s possessions

zealous – zelotes – one burning with zeal, a zealot; used of God as jealous of any rival and sternly vindicating his control; most eagerly desirous of, zealous for, a thing

:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

exhort – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

rebuke – elegcho – to convict, refute, confute; generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted; by conviction to bring to the light, to expose; to find fault with, correct

authority – epitage – an injunction, mandate, command

despise – periphroneo – to consider or examine on all sides i.e. carefully, thoroughly; to set one’s self in thought beyond (exalt one’s self in thought above) a person or a thing; to contemn, to despise

Titus 3

:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

put … in mind – hupomimnesko – to cause one to remember, bring to remembrance, recall to mind: to another; to put one in remembrance, admonish, of something; to be reminded, to remember

principalities – arche – beginning, origin; the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader; the first place, principality, rule, magistracy

powers – exousia – power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed); one who possesses authority; a ruler, a human magistrate

be subject to – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject

to obey magistrates – peitharcheo – to obey (a ruler or a superior)

be ready – hetoimos – prepare ready

:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.

speak evil – blasphemeo – to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme; to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at

to be no brawlers – amachos – not to be withstood, invincible; not contentious; abstaining from fighting

gentle – epieikes – seeming, suitable; equitable, fair, mild, gentle

showing – endeiknumi – to point out; to show, demonstrate, prove, whether by arguments or by acts; to manifest, display, put forth

meekness – praotes – gentleness, mildness, meekness; It is the attitude of mind and behavior which, arising from humility, disposes one to receive with gentleness and meekness whatever may come to him from others or from God.

:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

foolish – anoetos – not understood, unintelligible; not understanding, unwise, foolish

disobedient – apeithes – impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious

deceived – planao – to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way; metaph.  to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive

serving – douleuo – to be a slave, serve, do service

divers – poikilos – a various colours, variegated; of various sorts

lusts – epithumia – desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust

pleasures – hedone – pleasure; desires for pleasure

malice – kakia – malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure; wickedness, depravity

envy – phthonos – envy

hateful – stugnetos – hated, detestable

hating – miseo – to hate, pursue with hatred, detest; to be hated, detested

We used to be pretty bad too.

Don’t just think that the Cretans are bad.

:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

kindness – chrestotes – moral goodness, integrity; benignity, kindness

love … toward man – philanthropia – love of mankind, benevolence

Christmas.

:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

washing – loutron – bathing, bath, the act of bathing

Washing – making us “pure”? (1:15)

regeneration – paliggenesia (“again” + “born”) – new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration

renewing – anakainosis – a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better

We did nothing to deserve it.  God reached out in His mercy toward us and gave us a new start.

:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

shed – ekcheo – to pour out, shed forth; metaph. to bestow or distribute largely

abundantly – plousios – abundantly, richly

:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

being justified – dikaioo – to render righteous or such he ought to be; to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered; to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

grace – charis – grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour

heirs – kleronomos – one who receives by lot, an heir; in Messianic usage, one who receives his allotted possession by right of sonship

:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

faithful saying – This is something that Paul wants Titus to remember, one of those things to write down in the back of your Bible.

Paul uses this Greek phrase 6 times as he writes to his young protégés Timothy and Titus:

(1 Tim 1:15 KJV)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

(1 Tim 3:1 KJV)  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

(1 Tim 4:8-9 KJV)  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. {9} This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

(2 Tim 2:11-13 KJV)  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: {12} If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: {13} If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

(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.

(Titus 3:8 KJV)  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

The phrase is even found a couple of times in Revelation:

(Rev 21:5 KJV)  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

(Rev 22:6 KJV)  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

I will – boulomai – to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded; of willing as an affection, to desire

affirm constantly – diabebaioomai – to affirm strongly, assert confidently

might be careful – phrontizo – to think, to be careful; to be thoughtful or anxious

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

works – ergon – business, employment, that which any one is occupied; any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind; an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work

to maintain – proistemi – to set or place before; to be over, to superintend, preside over; to care for, give attention to

they which have believed – pisteuo – to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; the verb is a perfect participle, the action taking place in the past with the results continuing on into the present.

Lesson

Faith works

People who say they believe ought to match their belief with action.

A good faith does good works.

:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

foolish – moros (“moron”) – foolish; impious, godless

contentions – eris – contention, strife, wrangling

strivings – mache – a fight or combat; of those in arms, a battle; of persons at variance, disputants etc., strife, contention; a quarrel

avoid – periistemi – to place around one; to stand around; to turn one’s self about for the purpose of avoiding something; to avoid, shun

unprofitable – anopheles – unprofitable, useless

vain – mataios – devoid of force, truth, success, result; useless, of no purpose

Paul is telling Titus much of what he said to Timothy.

(1 Tim 1:4-7 NLT)  Don't let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don't help people live a life of faith in God. {5} The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. {6} But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. {7} They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident.

Illustration

There was among learned men such a rage for Aristotle that his ethics were frequently read to the people instead of the gospel, and the teachers themselves were employed either in wrestling the words of Scripture to support the most monstrous opinions, or in discussing the most trivial questions. Think of men gravely debating whether the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary in the shape of a serpent, of a dove, of a man, or of a woman? Did he seem to be young or old? In what dress was he? Was his linen clean or foul? Did he appear in the morning, noon, or evening? What was the color of the Virgin's hair? Etc. Think of all this nonsense veiled in learned terms and obscure phrases! While human minds were engaging in weaving such cobwebs as these, no progress was made in real knowledge, and the gloom of the dark ages deepened into tenfold night.

We are much in danger of the same evil from another quarter. The reign of obscure nonsense and dogmatic trifling may yet return. An ultra-spiritual sect has arisen whose interpretations are mystical, whose prophetical hypothesess are ridiculous, and who arrogance is superlative. To leave the consideration of well-known and soul-saving truths to fight over unimportant subtleties is to turn our corn fields into poppy gardens. True spirituality shuns the obscure and the dilettanti, and delights in the plain and practical.

-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Quotable Spurgeon, (Wheaton: Harold Shaw Publishers, Inc, 1990)

:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;

heretic – hairetikos – fitted or able to take or choose a thing; schismatic, factious, a follower of a false doctrine; heretic

admonition – nouthesia – admonition, exhortation

reject – paraiteomai – to ask along side, beg to have near one; to avert by entreaty or seek to avert, to deprecate; to beg pardon, crave indulgence, to excuse; of one excusing himself for not accepting a wedding invitation to a feast

Warren Wiersbe:

But there is another kind of problem person we should deal with: the “heretic.” This word means “one who makes a choice, a person who causes divisions.” This is a self-willed person who thinks he is right, and who goes from person to person in the church, forcing people to make a choice. “Are you for me or for the pastor?” This is a work of the flesh (see Gal. 5:20). Such a person should be admonished at least twice, and then rejected.

How do we apply this in a local church? Let me suggest one way. If a church member goes about trying to get a following, and then gets angry and leaves the church, let him go. If he comes back (maybe the other churches don’t want him either), and if he shows a repentant attitude, receive him back. If he repeats this behavior (and they usually do), receive him back the second time. But if he does it a third time, do not receive him back into the fellowship of the church (Titus 3:10). Why not? “Such a man is warped in character, keeps on sinning, and has condemned himself” (Titus 3:11, literal translation). If more churches would follow this principle, we would have fewer “church tramps” who cause problems in various churches.

:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

subverted – ekstrepho – to turn or twist out, tear up; to turn inside out, invert; to change for the worse, pervert, corrupt

condemned of himself – autokatakritos – self-condemned

Their repeated actions have already made it obvious to all that they have a problem.

:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Artemas – Artemas – “gift of Artemis”; a friend of Paul the apostle

Tychicus – Tuchikos – “fateful”; an Asiatic Christian, friend and companion of the apostle Paul.  He was one of Paul’s closest helpers.  We find him first in Acts 20:4 in one of Paul’s little travelling discipleship groups.  He was in prison with Paul during Paul’s first imprisonment and Paul used him to carry his letters to Ephesus and Colossae (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7).

diligent – spoudazo – to hasten, make haste; to exert one’s self, endeavour, give diligence

Nicopolis – Nikopolis – “city of victory”

There were many cities by this name, —in Armenia, Pontus, Cilicia, Epirus, Thrace—which were generally built or had there name changed, by some conqueror to commemorate a victory. The one in #Tit 3:12 seems to refer to the city was built by Augustus in memory of the battle of Actium on a promontory of Epirius.  The one in the subscription of Titus seems to refer to Thracian Nicopolis, founded by Trojan on the river Nestus, since he calls it the city of Macedonia.

determined – krino – to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose

:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

Zenas – Zenas – “Jupiter”; a teacher of the Jewish law and afterwards a Christian

lawyer – nomikos – pertaining to the law, one learned in the law; in the NT an interpreter and teacher of the Mosaic law

Apollos – Apollos – “given by Apollo”; a learned Jew from Alexandria and mighty in the scriptures who became a Christian and a teacher of Christianity

bring … on their journey – propempo – to send before; to send forward, bring on the way, accompany or escort; to set one forward, fit him out with the requisites for a journey

It is possible that this letter from Paul was carried to Titus by Zenas and Apollos.

:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

necessary – anagkaios – necessary; what one can not do without, indispensable; connected by bonds of nature or friendship; what ought according to the law of duty be done, what is required by the circumstances

One last plea to Titus to encourage the people to be doing good works.

:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.