< Titus 1 >

Titus was the apostle’s “son in the faith”,v.4Waiting for response for Titus 1:4 who had the “faith of God’s elect and the truth which is after godliness”.v.1Waiting for response for Titus 1:1 He also had the “hope of eternal life which God promised before the world began”.v.2Waiting for response for Titus 1:2 Different Greek words are translated “world” and this one means “age”, and the age referred to is the Mosaic era which began with the Exodus, B.C.1492. Long before this, God had promised eternal life to the faithful, e.g. in the promises to Abraham four hundred years earlier. Titus, like all disciples, received this hope as a result of the preaching of the gospel.v.3Waiting for response for Titus 1:3

Titus was left in Crete v.5Waiting for response for Titus 1:5 to ordain elders, overseers of the congregations, and he was able to do this by the power of God. None has this power today, so that there are no overseers now as in the first century, but we can note the required qualifications so that we all can manifest them in our lives, for they are characteristics which are acceptable to God. The overseers were to be blameless,vs.6-7Waiting for response for Titus 1:6-7 not to be motivated by money,v.7Waiting for response for Titus 1:7 to manifest love,v.8Waiting for response for Titus 1:8 and to be sound in doctrine. v.9Waiting for response for Titus 1:9

This last requirement to being ordained an elder was particularly important because some were corrupting the truth and turning to fables and the commandments of men.vs.10-14Waiting for response for Titus 1:10-14 Paul also exhorted the disciples to be pure,v.15Waiting for response for Titus 1:15 warning them that having the knowledge of God, while of vital importance, would not save anyone whose works denied him.v.16Waiting for response for Titus 1:16