Titus 1 Commentary: Instructions for Church Leadership in Crete
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;
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
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:
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
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;
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
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.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
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.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 1 serves as a practical guide for establishing and maintaining healthy church leadership, particularly in a challenging environment like Crete. This chapter, part of Paul's letter to Titus, one of the three Pastoral Epistles (along with 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy), focuses on two key areas: the qualifications for church elders (Titus 1:5-9) and the need to address false teachers within the community (Titus 1:10-16). Understanding the context and Paul's instructions helps us grasp the importance of sound doctrine and godly leadership in the church.
Paul's Apostolic Authority and Purpose (Titus 1:1-4)
The letter opens with Paul clearly identifying himself as the author and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He describes himself as a "bondservant" (Greek doulos) of God, highlighting his complete submission to God's will. This term emphasizes the dedication of one's time, energy, and efforts to the benefit of another. In Paul's case, it reflects his unwavering commitment to God, even at the cost of his own personal interests.
Paul states that his apostleship is for "the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness" (Titus 1:1). His mission is to build up the faith and knowledge of God’s people. Why? To lead them to godliness (Titus 1:1) so that their lifestyle honors the God who gave them eternal life (Titus 1:2), which is one of the primary goals of election. He emphasizes the hope of eternal life, promised by God before the beginning of time (Titus 1:2), a promise that is reliable and will be fulfilled in God's perfect timing (Titus 1:3). You can bank on God’s promises. Anything he says in eternity is guaranteed in time. But you’re dependent on his schedule. The timing for Jesus’s entry into the world was perfect—and so is the timing for everything God does in your life.
Paul then addresses Titus as "my true son in our common faith" (Titus 1:4). He either led Titus to Christ or nurtured him in the faith. This reveals a close, mentoring relationship, highlighting Paul's trust in Titus to carry out the important task of organizing the church in Crete. He wants Titus to help the churches conduct themselves properly, reflecting the values and behavior of their heavenly Father. When we live under our parents’ roofs, we must submit to the rules and ethics of their houses. Similarly, God’s people must conform to his guidelines that govern the church. Thus, the church needs to have its ministry coordinated effectively and sound doctrine firmly established.
Instructions for Leadership (Titus 1:5-16)
The Importance of Appointing Elders (Titus 1:5)
Paul reminds Titus that he left him in Crete to "set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you" (Titus 1:5). This emphasizes the importance of establishing qualified leadership in each local church. A task from God cannot be underestimated, and God carefully decides who will carry out his work. This is why Paul writes to Titus, not only to encourage him but also to help him pick out elders who can share in the divine task. We all know of things left undone in our lives, families, businesses, schools, and relationships. But when something of God’s is left undone, it’s a big deal. These leaders would serve Titus’s need to set right things that were broken in the church so that the ministry would be healthy and operate effectively based on sound doctrine (Titus 1:5). Qualified spiritual leadership is critical for a church to function properly. Titus’s twofold task was the identification of such leadership and the teaching of sound doctrine.
Qualifications for Elders (Titus 1:6-9)
Titus wasn’t left to wonder who should fill these kingdom positions because Paul provides a list of virtues and traits for elders (see also 1 Timothy 3:1-7). And the criteria are quite stout! Notice that these are not descriptions of performance but of character. Paul wanted a certain kind of man to serve as an elder. An “elder,” also called an overseer (Titus 1:7), is not necessarily an old man, but a mature man who knows and walks with God.
Paul provides a list of qualifications for elders, focusing on character rather than specific skills. These qualifications, which are also found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, have served as a guide for selecting church leaders throughout history.
First, Paul provides the general traits of an elder / overseer, particularly with respect to his family. It is essential that an elder be the husband of one wife and have faithful children (Titus 1:6). Since he is the steward and caretaker of God’s household, it only makes sense that he be able to take care of his own house (see 1 Timothy 3:4-5).
Next the apostle highlights what an elder should not be like. Since he is doing God’s work, he should not reflect poorly on his Lord. He cannot be arrogant . . . hot-tempered . . . an excessive drinker . . . a bully . . . or greedy for money (Titus 1:7). These traits don’t make for a good employee in a secular job. They certainly shouldn’t describe a shepherd of God’s people.
Finally, Paul lists the positive characteristics. Elders should be hospitable . . . sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled. They should hold tightly to the faithful message (Titus 1:8-9). These are high expectations, but God’s elders / overseers / pastors must exhibit these virtues if they are going to faithfully shepherd the flock that belongs to the chief Shepherd (see 1 Peter 5:2-4).
All of these character traits come together in the final comment of Titus 1:9. If elders do not live out these divine virtues, then they cannot encourage with sound teaching or refute those who contradict it. This is a weighty responsibility. It takes men of integrity to submit faithfully to their King’s agenda, to teach others to do likewise, and to correct others who oppose it. That’s why Paul gave Titus such high expectations for elder candidates. Character is everything.
These include:
- Blamelessness: An elder must be above reproach.
- Family Life: Being "the husband of one wife" and having children who are believers and not open to the charge of being wild or disobedient.
- Personal Character: Not being arrogant, quick-tempered, given to drunkenness, violent, or greedy for money.
- Positive Traits: Being hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- Doctrinal Soundness: Holding firmly to the trustworthy message and being able to encourage others with sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Dealing with False Teachers (Titus 1:10-16)
Strong church leaders were needed in Crete because rebellious people were upsetting God’s work and deceiving his people (Titus 1:10). Pastoring is difficult work; cowards need not apply. God loves his sheep, and he wants shepherds who will lovingly protect them. Deceitful men were overthrowing households by means of false teaching in order to obtain money dishonestly (Titus 1:11). Sadly, such wicked men are still with us today. Because false teachers are outside the church, elders must equip Christians with sound, biblical teaching to help them discern truth from lies. But should false teachers try to operate inside the church, elders must silence them (Titus 1:11).
Paul addresses the issue of false teachers in Crete, who were disrupting households with their teachings, often for financial gain (Titus 1:10-11). These teachers were likely promoting the idea that circumcision was necessary for Christians. Paul commands Titus to silence them (Titus 1:11).
Paul quotes a Cretan poet from the sixth century BC: Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. It’s never good when someone describes his own countrymen like that. But unfortunately, Paul found the saying to be true of at least some of the Cretans. He thus urged Titus to rebuke them sharply (Titus 1:13). Of course, for Paul rebuke is never the end but only the means to an end. He wanted church members in Crete to be sound in the faith and to ignore those who reject the truth (Titus 1:13-14). Only by conforming your thinking to God’s truth can you live a life that is pleasing to God.
Paul even quotes a Cretan poet to illustrate the reputation of the Cretan people, acknowledging their tendency towards lying, evil, and laziness (Titus 1:12). This highlights the challenging environment in which Titus was ministering. He instructs Titus to rebuke these false teachers sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith and turn away from Jewish myths and the commands of those who reject the truth (Titus 1:13-14).
On the other hand, those who persist in rebellion are defiled and unbelieving. Notice again the connection between thinking and living. Their mind and conscience are defiled, dirty (Titus 1:15). What kind of life is produced by minds that are dominated by such self-interest? Even though they claim to know God . . . they deny him by their works. And how does Paul characterize their works? They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit (and were, therefore, to be opposed) (Titus 1:16). That’s a sobering description. Lips that claim to praise God mean nothing when they are combined with a lifestyle that denies him.
Paul concludes by contrasting those who are pure with those who are corrupted. "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted" (Titus 1:15). He emphasizes that while these false teachers claim to know God, their actions deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good (Titus 1:16). This underscores the importance of living a life that aligns with one's profession of faith.
Application for Today
Titus 1 provides timeless principles for church leadership and dealing with false teaching. The emphasis on character qualifications for elders remains relevant today. Churches should prioritize selecting leaders who demonstrate godly character, sound judgment, and a commitment to biblical truth. Furthermore, the need to address false teaching is a constant challenge for the church. Leaders must be vigilant in protecting the flock from deceptive doctrines and promoting sound biblical understanding. By adhering to these principles, churches can maintain their integrity and effectively fulfill their mission of spreading the gospel.
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;
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
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:
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
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;
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
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.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
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.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 1 serves as a practical guide for establishing and maintaining healthy church leadership, particularly in a challenging environment like Crete. This chapter, part of Paul's letter to Titus, one of the three Pastoral Epistles (along with 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy), focuses on two key areas: the qualifications for church elders (Titus 1:5-9) and the need to address false teachers within the community (Titus 1:10-16). Understanding the context and Paul's instructions helps us grasp the importance of sound doctrine and godly leadership in the church.
Paul's Apostolic Authority and Purpose (Titus 1:1-4)
The letter opens with Paul clearly identifying himself as the author and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He describes himself as a "bondservant" (Greek doulos) of God, highlighting his complete submission to God's will. This term emphasizes the dedication of one's time, energy, and efforts to the benefit of another. In Paul's case, it reflects his unwavering commitment to God, even at the cost of his own personal interests.
Paul states that his apostleship is for "the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness" (Titus 1:1). His mission is to build up the faith and knowledge of God’s people. Why? To lead them to godliness (Titus 1:1) so that their lifestyle honors the God who gave them eternal life (Titus 1:2), which is one of the primary goals of election. He emphasizes the hope of eternal life, promised by God before the beginning of time (Titus 1:2), a promise that is reliable and will be fulfilled in God's perfect timing (Titus 1:3). You can bank on God’s promises. Anything he says in eternity is guaranteed in time. But you’re dependent on his schedule. The timing for Jesus’s entry into the world was perfect—and so is the timing for everything God does in your life.
Paul then addresses Titus as "my true son in our common faith" (Titus 1:4). He either led Titus to Christ or nurtured him in the faith. This reveals a close, mentoring relationship, highlighting Paul's trust in Titus to carry out the important task of organizing the church in Crete. He wants Titus to help the churches conduct themselves properly, reflecting the values and behavior of their heavenly Father. When we live under our parents’ roofs, we must submit to the rules and ethics of their houses. Similarly, God’s people must conform to his guidelines that govern the church. Thus, the church needs to have its ministry coordinated effectively and sound doctrine firmly established.
Instructions for Leadership (Titus 1:5-16)
The Importance of Appointing Elders (Titus 1:5)
Paul reminds Titus that he left him in Crete to "set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you" (Titus 1:5). This emphasizes the importance of establishing qualified leadership in each local church. A task from God cannot be underestimated, and God carefully decides who will carry out his work. This is why Paul writes to Titus, not only to encourage him but also to help him pick out elders who can share in the divine task. We all know of things left undone in our lives, families, businesses, schools, and relationships. But when something of God’s is left undone, it’s a big deal. These leaders would serve Titus’s need to set right things that were broken in the church so that the ministry would be healthy and operate effectively based on sound doctrine (Titus 1:5). Qualified spiritual leadership is critical for a church to function properly. Titus’s twofold task was the identification of such leadership and the teaching of sound doctrine.
Qualifications for Elders (Titus 1:6-9)
Titus wasn’t left to wonder who should fill these kingdom positions because Paul provides a list of virtues and traits for elders (see also 1 Timothy 3:1-7). And the criteria are quite stout! Notice that these are not descriptions of performance but of character. Paul wanted a certain kind of man to serve as an elder. An “elder,” also called an overseer (Titus 1:7), is not necessarily an old man, but a mature man who knows and walks with God.
Paul provides a list of qualifications for elders, focusing on character rather than specific skills. These qualifications, which are also found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, have served as a guide for selecting church leaders throughout history.
First, Paul provides the general traits of an elder / overseer, particularly with respect to his family. It is essential that an elder be the husband of one wife and have faithful children (Titus 1:6). Since he is the steward and caretaker of God’s household, it only makes sense that he be able to take care of his own house (see 1 Timothy 3:4-5).
Next the apostle highlights what an elder should not be like. Since he is doing God’s work, he should not reflect poorly on his Lord. He cannot be arrogant . . . hot-tempered . . . an excessive drinker . . . a bully . . . or greedy for money (Titus 1:7). These traits don’t make for a good employee in a secular job. They certainly shouldn’t describe a shepherd of God’s people.
Finally, Paul lists the positive characteristics. Elders should be hospitable . . . sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled. They should hold tightly to the faithful message (Titus 1:8-9). These are high expectations, but God’s elders / overseers / pastors must exhibit these virtues if they are going to faithfully shepherd the flock that belongs to the chief Shepherd (see 1 Peter 5:2-4).
All of these character traits come together in the final comment of Titus 1:9. If elders do not live out these divine virtues, then they cannot encourage with sound teaching or refute those who contradict it. This is a weighty responsibility. It takes men of integrity to submit faithfully to their King’s agenda, to teach others to do likewise, and to correct others who oppose it. That’s why Paul gave Titus such high expectations for elder candidates. Character is everything.
These include:
- Blamelessness: An elder must be above reproach.
- Family Life: Being "the husband of one wife" and having children who are believers and not open to the charge of being wild or disobedient.
- Personal Character: Not being arrogant, quick-tempered, given to drunkenness, violent, or greedy for money.
- Positive Traits: Being hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- Doctrinal Soundness: Holding firmly to the trustworthy message and being able to encourage others with sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Dealing with False Teachers (Titus 1:10-16)
Strong church leaders were needed in Crete because rebellious people were upsetting God’s work and deceiving his people (Titus 1:10). Pastoring is difficult work; cowards need not apply. God loves his sheep, and he wants shepherds who will lovingly protect them. Deceitful men were overthrowing households by means of false teaching in order to obtain money dishonestly (Titus 1:11). Sadly, such wicked men are still with us today. Because false teachers are outside the church, elders must equip Christians with sound, biblical teaching to help them discern truth from lies. But should false teachers try to operate inside the church, elders must silence them (Titus 1:11).
Paul addresses the issue of false teachers in Crete, who were disrupting households with their teachings, often for financial gain (Titus 1:10-11). These teachers were likely promoting the idea that circumcision was necessary for Christians. Paul commands Titus to silence them (Titus 1:11).
Paul quotes a Cretan poet from the sixth century BC: Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. It’s never good when someone describes his own countrymen like that. But unfortunately, Paul found the saying to be true of at least some of the Cretans. He thus urged Titus to rebuke them sharply (Titus 1:13). Of course, for Paul rebuke is never the end but only the means to an end. He wanted church members in Crete to be sound in the faith and to ignore those who reject the truth (Titus 1:13-14). Only by conforming your thinking to God’s truth can you live a life that is pleasing to God.
Paul even quotes a Cretan poet to illustrate the reputation of the Cretan people, acknowledging their tendency towards lying, evil, and laziness (Titus 1:12). This highlights the challenging environment in which Titus was ministering. He instructs Titus to rebuke these false teachers sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith and turn away from Jewish myths and the commands of those who reject the truth (Titus 1:13-14).
On the other hand, those who persist in rebellion are defiled and unbelieving. Notice again the connection between thinking and living. Their mind and conscience are defiled, dirty (Titus 1:15). What kind of life is produced by minds that are dominated by such self-interest? Even though they claim to know God . . . they deny him by their works. And how does Paul characterize their works? They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit (and were, therefore, to be opposed) (Titus 1:16). That’s a sobering description. Lips that claim to praise God mean nothing when they are combined with a lifestyle that denies him.
Paul concludes by contrasting those who are pure with those who are corrupted. "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted" (Titus 1:15). He emphasizes that while these false teachers claim to know God, their actions deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good (Titus 1:16). This underscores the importance of living a life that aligns with one's profession of faith.
Application for Today
Titus 1 provides timeless principles for church leadership and dealing with false teaching. The emphasis on character qualifications for elders remains relevant today. Churches should prioritize selecting leaders who demonstrate godly character, sound judgment, and a commitment to biblical truth. Furthermore, the need to address false teaching is a constant challenge for the church. Leaders must be vigilant in protecting the flock from deceptive doctrines and promoting sound biblical understanding. By adhering to these principles, churches can maintain their integrity and effectively fulfill their mission of spreading the gospel.