Background To Titus
Written in approximately A.D. 64, between his first and second letters to Timothy, Paul's letter to Titus was written to instruct and encourage this young man as he ministered on the island of Crete. Crete, an island in the Mediterranean 135 miles long and 30 miles wide, is a mountainous island and was quite heavily populated according to the demographics of Paul's day. As we shall see, the inhabitants of Crete were a difficult, problematic people. In fact, it's interesting to note that the Philistines—they who were always hassling the people of Israel—originally came from Crete. Crete was an island steeped in Greek mythology, Zeus having supposedly been born on Crete's own Mount Ida.
Commissioned to preach to a problematic people who were believers in Greek gods, Titus had his work cut out for him. – Jon Courson's Application Commentary
Scripture
5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don't have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 For an eldermust live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 12 Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, "The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons." 13 This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. 14 They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.
15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Observations
- Titus is a subordinate leader leading from the middle of the pack
- He is a developing, deepening leader where Paul was a designing leader
- He set up structures and systems and was in charge of recruiting and equiping
- Qualifications of Christian workers:
Must Be - Blameless, Faithful, Good Parent, Hospitable, Love Right, Wise, Just, Devout, Disciplined, Apologetic, Exhort, Equip & Encourage.
Must Not Be - Arrogant, Quick Tempered, Violent, Bad With Money
- Ministry context is huge. Corrupt Crete
- The way an Elder lives in a corrupt society preaches the loudest message
Applications
- Who is my Paul? My pastor! Submit to authority
- Work on "Do's" and stop the "Don't"
- Hospitality and equipping need the most work in my life
- Shine in the dark! Get with corrupt people to reveal Christ's character.
Prayer
God, again who I am in You is far more important than what I do. Reveal to me Your growth plan for my life. I ask that you help me be more hospitable and equip people. God You intend for me to shine in dark places that need your light. I confess my flesh likes the comfort of Christians and not the corruption of Crete. Empower me to shine!
Good word brother. Effort does not equal results.
Posted by: Chris | March 02, 2010 at 08:34 AM