Titus – Part 1

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Introduction

No, I did not skip 2 Timothy. Titus was written before Sha’ul sent his second letter to Timothy. From Macedonia, Sha’ul is about to leave for Nicopolis in Greece, where he has decided to spend the winter, and where Titus is to join him. Before leaving, he writes a letter to Titus, whom he had earlier left in Crete. Titus is facing some of the same challenges as Timothy in his efforts to preserve doctrinal purity and to establish effective local congregations.

Salutation

¹ From: Sha’ul, God’s slave and an emissary of Yeshua the Messiah, sent to promote among God’s chosen people the trust and knowledge of truth which lead to godliness ² and which are based on the certain hope of eternal life. God, who does not lie, promised that life before the beginning of time ³ but made public this word of his in its own season through a proclamation with which I have been entrusted by order of God, our Deliverer.

God, who does not lie (compare Numbers 23:19), contrasts with the false teachers of vv. 10–16. On the rest of these verses, see 2 Timothy 1:9-11.

⁴ To: Titus, a true son in the faith we share:

Titus was a Gentile co-worker of Sha’ul’s who accompanied him to Yerushalayim (Galatians 2:1–3) and carried out various assignments (2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:6–8:23, 12:18; 2 Timothy 4:10). In v. 3 it is God who is called our Deliverer (see 1 Timothy 1:1); here it is the Messiah Yeshua. This is typical of how the Brit Hadashah highlights Yeshua’s divinity with roundabout language. Instead of saying, “Yeshua is God,” it describes him with words that can apply only to God. It was precisely this sort of thing that those without faith could not grasp, even when they saw it (Mark 2:1-12; Yochanan 6:1-71, 9:1-41).

Grace and shalom from God the Father and from the Messiah Yeshua, our Deliverer.

Concerning Kehilah Leaders

Qualifications of Elders

Compare 1 Timothy 3:1-13. The organizational structure in Ephesus, where Timothy was when Sha’ul wrote to him, was more complex than that needed in Crete; shammashim are not mentioned here.

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete (Acts 27:7, 12–13) was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders (1Timothy 3:1 7; 5:17) in every town: ⁶ one (1 Timothy 3:2-4) who is blameless, (Colossians 1:22) the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. ⁷ For an overseer, (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Kefa 2:25) as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, ⁸ but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

Sound teaching should not merely transfer data from head to head but exhort and encourage.

Warning of False Teachers

¹⁰ For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism.

Verse 10 speaks of the Circumcision faction and this group in Crete as being composed of both Jews and Gentiles. In fact, from v. 12(below), one must conclude that it was primarily Gentile, since that verse refers to the (Gentile) Cretans’ prophets, whereas the Jews’ prophets are those whose words are recorded in the Tanakh. Verse 11 speaks of silencing the Circumcision faction, and v. 13 of being severe and rebuking those who have followed this false teaching. The same group—Gentle Cretan Circumcision faction people—are being silenced and rebuked in both verses.

¹¹ It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. ¹² One of their very own prophets said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. ¹³ This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Crete was known in the ancient world for its moral decadence. The ancient historian Polybius wrote that it was “almost impossible to find … personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust than in Crete” (Histories, 6.47). Cicero also stated, “Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans … consider highway robbery honorable” (Republic, 3.9.15).^[1]

¹⁴ and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of men who reject the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.

The actions (works) of these people proved conclusively that they were un-believers, although they claimed to know God. Sha’ul was not hesitant to make such a judgment. The three descriptors at the end of the verse summarize the behavior that proved they did not know God.

2 ¹But you, explain what kind of behavior goes along with sound teaching. ^[2]

As an adult in the workplace, you may encounter situations where honesty and integrity are challenged. Consider how Sha’ul’s insistence on sound doctrine in Titus can encourage you. This week, affirm your commitment to truth by speaking up in a meeting when someone misrepresents facts or shortcuts the process. Establish a reputation for reliability so colleagues see you as a person of faith, knowing God expects you to exhibit Messiah–like behavior even amidst pressure. Your strong ethical stance can plant seeds of faith among those who watch you.

In our next post, we will continue to examine Sha’ul’s Letter to Titus.

^[1] Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary (Broadman & Holman, 2015), page 1331.

^[2] Titus 1:10-2:1.